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 three dogs (Lola, Dolly, and Oso) and three cats (Elmer, Poppy, and Pete) at home. She has a particular love of pit bulls and Boston Terriers (preferably mixed together!). 

Maggie Heard serves as Monarch Pet Surgery’s administrative and 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 at home, and she looks forward to taking great care of your pet!