Dr. Kelsey Arrufat
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal)
Dr. Kelsey Arrufat is a board-certified veterinary surgeon serving the greater Los Angeles area. Based in West Hollywood, she provides mobile surgical services to general practice and emergency veterinary hospitals across the region, delivering expert care directly within the practices that know their patients best.
Biography
Dr. Arrufat completed her undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University with honors as a double major in both Zoology and Poultry Science. She then graduated from North Carolina State University with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. Dr. Arrufat went on to complete a 1 year small animal rotating internship, a 1 year surgery specialty internship, followed by a 3 year surgical residency at Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center. Dr. Arrufat achieved board certification status in 2025 and is a member of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
CV
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2026 – Joined MOVES as a Mobile Surgeon
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2021–2026 – Veterinary Surgeon at Private Practice
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2021 – Achieved Board Certification with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons
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2021 – Completed Residency in Small Animal Surgeryat Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center
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2018 – Completed Rotating Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center
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2016 – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University
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2012 – Graduated from North Carolina State University with B.S. degrees in Poultry Science and Zoology
Arrufat K, Chisnell H “Use of a bipolar vessel-sealing device in 27 canine limb amputations” Can Vet J. 2024 Dec; 65(12):1260-1267
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What is a board-certified veterinary surgeon?
Like most health care fields, the veterinary profession has become multi-tiered. Veterinarians may now specialize in various disciplines (including surgery), as recognized by the AVMA’s American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS). The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) is the AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization™ for certification of veterinarians in large animal surgery and small animal surgery.
If your animal develops a problem or injury requiring advanced care and procedures, your primary veterinarian or emergency room veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary surgeon.
A veterinary surgeon has undergone additional training after veterinary school in order to become a specialist. This training consists of a minimum of a 1-year internship followed by a 3-year residency program that meets guidelines established by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).
During the residency there are specific training and caseload requirements that must be met. In addition to these requirements, applicants must perform research that is published in a scientific journal and then pass a rigorous examination.
Adapated from “What is a Veterinary Surgeon?” on acvs.org.