Lead Veterinarian
Dr. Christina Hansen
Trail blazer. Animal Saver. Dreamer.
Dr. Hansen knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from a very young age. Her desire was further strengthened when she spent seven years teaching tourists about tropical ecology as a naturalist in Costa Rica.
Dr. Hansen has a masters degree in anatomy and neurobiology and graduated from the Colorado State School of Veterinary Medicine.
She completed a small animal internship and then worked in general small animal private practice for about 5 years in California.
In 2013 she moved to Kanab, Utah to join Best Friends Animal Society. That is where Dr. Hansen developed a love of shelter medicine. When she was looking to relocate closer to home, the opportunity to work at the SPCA-NN was a natural fit.
In August 2022, Dr. Hansen was accepted into the competitive Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Fellowship Program. This program is a mentorship opportunity for veterinarians working in the field of shelter medicine. The program is operated by the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program in partnership with the illustrious University of California, Davis, Koret Shelter Medicine Program. Dr. Hansen will participate in a yearlong direct mentorship program and have the opportunity to continue to participate was an alumni mentor after completion of the first year.
Dr. Hansen has a passion for rehabilitating tough cases and seeing those pets get adopted into loving homes. She lives with her 2 mix-breed dogs and 1 cat. In her spare time she takes advantage of all the outdoor activities available in the Reno-Tahoe area.