Dr. Laurel Nakata is a Long Beach born and raised native. She graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts after finishing up her clinical year at Colorado State University. After graduating, Dr. Nakata returned back to Colorado where she went on to complete her internship at a small animal emergency hospital. In 2019, she decided to move back home to her roots in sunny Southern California. Dr. Nakata enjoys all things adventure and outdoor-related She spends most of her freetime either taking long walks with her dog, enjoying time by the pool, or exploring the trails on her bike. When she is not hard at work or busy adventuring outdoors, she spends her time lounging at home with her island dog, Isley, and island cat, Harley [citation][2][3].