Dr. Rebecca Walton
DVM, DACVECC
Board-certified in Emergency and Critical Care
Dr. Rebecca Walton is a board-certified specialist in Emergency and Critical Care and the current Department Head of Critical Care at VCA West Los Angeles. She holds her DVM from Western University of Health Sciences and completed her ECC residency at North Carolina State University. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC) in 2016.
Previously, Dr. Walton was a Clinical Professor at Iowa State University, where she taught and mentored students, interns, and residents for over seven years. She is widely recognized for her leadership in education and clinical training, having guided dozens of mentees into competitive residencies across multiple specialties.
Dr. Walton’s academic contributions include over 40 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters, and authorship of clinical protocols. She has been awarded funding for more than 15 research studies spanning CPR, sepsis, transfusion thresholds, and veterinary education. Her work is cited extensively and has influenced the way ECC is practiced and taught globally.
In recognition of her excellence, she has been repeatedly honored by her students and peers, serving as graduation marshal, keynote speaker, and class-voted faculty leader. She continues to serve in national leadership roles, including Chair of the ACVECC Residency Training Committee and Project Lead for VetCOT Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Whether managing trauma cases in the ICU or mentoring the next generation of specialists, Dr. Walton brings unparalleled dedication to clinical excellence, collaboration, and compassionate mentorship.
Dr. Walton's achievements:
- Board-Certified in Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC), 2016
- Certified in Hemodialysis, 2020
- Current Department Head of Critical Care, VCA West Los Angeles
- Former Clinical Professor, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (2016–2023)
- Author of 40+ peer-reviewed publications and multiple textbook chapters on ventilation, resuscitation, fluid therapy, and ECC protocols
- Primary or co-investigator on over 15 funded research grants, including studies on CPR, DKA, ventilation, and simulation-based veterinary education
- Mentor to 40+ residents and interns, with an exceptional match rate into ECC, internal medicine, ophthalmology, surgery, and zoological medicine residencies
- Chair, ACVECC Residency Training Committee; Project Lead, VetCOT Clinical Guidelines; contributor to RECOVER CPR standards
- National and international speaker, including ACVIM Forum, SCCM Congress, and IVECCS
- Curriculum innovator, having built and led multiple advanced courses in ECC, mechanical ventilation, and critical care ultrasound
- Veterinary Technician Specialist mentor, guiding technicians to successful VTS board certifications
- Multiple faculty-voted teaching honors, including:
- Graduation Ceremony Marshal (voted by the Classes of 2018, 2020, and 2021)
- Graduation Hooder and Banquet Keynote Speaker (Class of 2019 and 2018)
- Invited Faculty Leader for CVM Orientation and Women’s Leadership programs
Get to Know Your Mentor
We asked Becca a few questions to help you get to know her as both a clinician and a human. From her proudest career moments to the one piece of equipment she can’t live without - this is your backstage pass into what drives her, how she works, and why she’s excited to mentor other vets.
What aspects of emergency do you find most unique and fulfilling?
Why is mentoring such an important part of your work, and how has it shaped your career?
Can you share a pivotal experience that made you feel truly confident as an criticalist?
In no more than three words each, share: your favorite thing about emergency, your least favorite thing, and the biggest misconception in emergency.
Tell us two truths and one lie about your veterinary career.
What’s the one piece of equipment in emergency you couldn’t live without?
How do you define work-life balance, and what does it mean for you personally?
What’s the most memorable case you’ve ever worked on?
What’s been your proudest clinical or academic achievement so far?
From the first crash call to the final blood-gas check, Dr Becca Walton keeps a cool head when every second counts. Board-certified in Emergency and Critical Care and now Head of Critical Care at VCA West Los Angeles, she’s spent the last decade turning chaotic ICU moments into clear learning wins for vets and nurses alike.
Ready to learn with Dr Rebecca?
If you want solid ECC know-how, fewer 3 am panics and steady support when cases get tough - this is your next step.
