Dr. Bascuñán is a board-certified small animal surgeon and the owner of Monarch Pet Surgery. Her expertise is derived from ten years of secondary education and five years of advanced surgical training. She graduated in 2008 from Arizona State University/Barrett Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology. She then went on to complete her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University in 2014. Following veterinary school she completed a one year internship at the Texas A&M Veterinary Teaching Hospital and a four year small animal surgical residency at the University of Florida. During her residency training, she also earned her Master of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Florida.

After completing her residency in 2019, Dr. Bascuñán passed the board certification exam for small animal surgery, earning her Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Surgery (Small Animal focus) in 2020. Dr. Bascuñán has two dogs (Lola and Oso) and 1 cat (Elmer) at home. She has a particular love of pit bulls and Boston Terriers (preferably mixed together!). 

Chelsey Santiago is Monarch's Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT).  Her primary roles are to administer and monitor anesthesia. Her passion in veterinary medicine is surgery and anesthesia.  She is also Fear-Free certified, so she has many tricks to decrease stress and anxiety and keep patients calm during their visits. Chelsey has worked as an LVT at small animal practices (Specialty, Emergency and General Practice) in Central Texas over the last 9 years.

Chelsey is a Colorado native and received her degree in Animal Science from the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, Colorado in 2013. 

Outside of work, Chelsey is an avid reader, bowler and concert go-er. She also enjoys gardening and crafting. She has one dog, Blooper, a Boston Terrier/Husky/Pit Bull mix.

Maggie Heard serves as Monarch Pet Surgery’s veterinary assistant. Maggie met Dr. Bascuñán in 2007 on a study abroad trip to Ecuador, where they studied biodiversity in the rainforest. She graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Arizona. She originally built her career in administration and brings her excellent customer service skills to Monarch. She also brings her patience and steady hands to the operating room, where her surgical assistance is essential to the success of many procedures.

Maggie has a very handsome cat named Hank, as well as a mischievous mixed-breed dog named Mable at home, and she looks forward to taking great care of your pet! 

Hannah is a Texas native and has been a veterinary technician since 2014. She brings a well-rounded background in emergency medicine, cardiology, surgery, and general practice. At Monarch Pet Surgery, she fulfills multiple essential roles, serving both as our office administrator—responsible for managing patient records, correspondence, and inventory—and as a surgical technician, where she skillfully administers and monitors anesthesia with precision and care.

Her career path has also included serving as a firefighter and working as a marine mammal trainer — roles that sharpened her critical thinking, adaptability, and teamwork under pressure. She now brings that same dedication and calm presence to every patient she cares for, combining technical expertise with a deep commitment to exceptional care.

Outside of the OR, Hannah enjoys jamming out to Sleep Token with her husband, Ryan and their son. They have 4 large dogs — Marley, Abby, Ember, and Roxy. Hannah is also an avid reader, ice skater, LEGO builder, and saltwater fish tank hobbyist!