Story & Lesson Highlights with Dr. Andrea Savarese of Chandler

Dr. Andrea Savarese shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Andrea, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me at Amethyst Veterinary Clinic is a dynamic blend of clinical work, staff management, and administrative responsibilities. As the owner and sole veterinarian at a small, independently run practice, I begin my day early by reviewing the appointment schedule, checking messages, and touching base with my team to ensure we’re aligned. Throughout the day, I see a full range of patients—from routine wellness visits and vaccinations to more complex medical cases and urgent care. In between appointments, I support my staff with medical questions, client communications, and workflow coordination. I also make time to follow up on lab results, handle prescriptions, and maintain detailed medical records. Midday may involve performing surgeries or dental procedures, and I often use quieter moments to catch up on admin tasks like inventory management, staff scheduling, or reviewing financial reports. As the day wraps up, I follow through on client callbacks, finalize charts, and prepare for the next day. Being both the doctor and the owner means I wear many hats, but I find great satisfaction in providing personalized care to my patients while building a strong, supportive culture within my team.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Dr. Andrea Savarese, owner and sole veterinarian of Amethyst Veterinary Clinic in Chandler, AZ. We are a small, independently operated practice where we provide compassionate, hands-on care to every patient who walks through the door. After years of working in larger, fast-paced clinical settings, I chose to open my own practice with a clear purpose: to build meaningful, long-term relationships with both pets and their people. My vision was to create a space where care could be more personal, thoughtful, and centered around trust and continuity. At Amethyst, I am involved in every step of the client experience—from wellness visits and diagnostics to treatment planning and follow-up—ensuring that each patient receives the individualized attention they deserve. I’m told my calm, empathetic approach and commitment to transparency set the tone for a clinic environment that feels welcoming, respectful, and shows that we are deeply invested in each animal’s wellbeing. In addition to my clinical work, I value mentorship and work closely with my team to foster a supportive, collaborative workplace rooted in empathy and growth.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
One individual who stands out in my personal story is Mrs. Beckmann, my animal science teacher at Eastern Suffolk BOCES. I attended the animal science program during my senior year of high school. At the time, I was unsure about my future and didn’t have a clear sense of direction. I knew I loved animals, but I didn’t know what that could look like as a career. Mrs. Beckmann recognized something in me before I did—she saw my potential, even once I graduated from her class, and encouraged me to keep going, even when I faced personal and academic struggles. After high school, I started in a veterinary technician program, but due to unforeseen challenges and continued experience working in the field, I realized I wanted something different and made the decision to pursue veterinary school. Throughout that journey, Mrs. Beckmann remained one of my biggest cheerleaders. I’m proud to say I’m her only student so far to graduate from veterinary school, and we still keep in touch 20 years later. I even return to her classroom to speak with current students. Walking into her class, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life—but her belief in me helped spark a passion and set me on the path to becoming the veterinarian I am today.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
In regards to my career and schooling —sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly— I was told I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, or capable of becoming a veterinarian. Unfortunately, these messages came from people who were supposed to support and guide me—teachers, supervisors, even some colleagues. I remember being in high school and college and hearing flat-out that I would never make it in this career. For a while, I internalized those doubts, and they made me question myself. But over time, I realized that every time someone told me I couldn’t or shouldn’t, it only fueled my determination to prove them wrong. I’m a very ambitious person by nature, and that ambition became my driving force. Instead of accepting those limitations others placed on me, I pushed harder and kept moving forward. Healing, for me, came from turning those negative experiences into motivation and surrounding myself with people who believe in me. Now, as a veterinarian and practice owner, I carry that ambition with pride—not only to continue growing myself, but to uplift others who may be hearing the same doubts I once did.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That compassion alone is enough to sustain us.
This isn’t necessarily a lie the veterinary industry tells about itself—but it is a common misconception people have about our industry. Many assume that because we love animals, that love is enough to carry us through. But the belief that passion and compassion alone are all we need to thrive is not only unrealistic, it’s harmful. It creates a culture where burnout, overwork, and emotional exhaustion are normalized—where asking for help feels like failure, and setting boundaries can be misunderstood as lacking dedication. It overlooks the reality that to sustain this work, we need more than just love for animals—we need support, balance, fair compensation, mental health awareness, and a workplace culture that values people as much as it values the profession. In the opening of this article, the readers were given a very brief overview of what a day may look like for someone in my field, though every day is different. We deal with a lot of difficult situations, daily pressure, and have a lot of expectations that we need to meet which not everyone realizes or has the opportunity to see.
At Amethyst Veterinary Clinic, we actively work against that narrative. We’ve created a culture where every team member is accepted, respected, and supported. Our leadership team cares deeply—not only for our clients and their pets, but for our staff as individuals. We foster an environment where employees feel heard, are encouraged to grow, and aren’t afraid to ask for help. Collaboration is at the heart of our clinic, and we believe that when we support each other—professionally and personally—we all thrive. This kind of culture doesn’t just benefit the team; it directly improves the care we provide and the relationships we build with our clients and patients.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
I’ve felt excited at many points in my career, but one of the most rewarding and energizing experiences has been the opportunity to build and run my own veterinary practice—shaping it to reflect the kind of medicine, leadership, and values I truly believe in. Having that level of ownership and the ability to make meaningful decisions about how we care for patients and support our team is incredibly fulfilling.
I also get genuinely excited when I have the chance to mentor pre-vet and veterinary students, as well as support staff. Watching them grow in confidence and skill—and knowing I can play a part in their journey—reminds me why I love this field. I really enjoy creating learning opportunities, answering their questions, and encouraging them to find their own path in veterinary medicine.
On a personal level, I’m someone who loves to keep learning, whether it’s clinical skills, leadership strategies, or new technology. I find a lot of motivation in continuously improving myself. Also, I have a strong passion for feline medicine, so any time I get to dive into a complex cat case, educate clients, explore new treatment options, or deepen my expertise in that area, I feel re-energized and reminded of why I chose this profession in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amethystveterinaryclinic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amethystveterinaryclinic/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amethyst-Veterinary-Clinic-61559941935143/