Sunrise Veterinary Clinic was converted from the Cinfrin Engineering building into what is now our veterinary clinic back in 1991. Offices were turned into exam rooms and kennels, and the drafting room was repurposed into a general treatment area for animals. The printing room became a sterile surgery room, and the library was converted into a pharmacy. Our first client walked through the front doors on March 13th, 1992, when there was only 7 chairs in the lobby. Over time, the building was renovated to accommodate a larger front office. Paper records and film x-rays were gradually digitized, and in-house diagnostic equipment has been gradually purchased to improve diagnostic and treatment capabilities. Most recently, we acquired a dental x-ray imaging machine in 2021.
George Abernathy was born in Las Cruces in 1958. He grew up in Las Cruces and Mesilla Park, often working with livestock and birds, and catching snakes and lizards in his backyard. He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1976 with a group of over 600. He decided there he wished to become a veterinarian.
He pursued this dream by attending New Mexico State University there in Las Cruces, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in 1980. He was then accepted into a Veterinary School at Washington State University and Oregon State University, graduating in 1984. From there, he participated in a mix-animal practice in Dalhart, Texas for 5 years. He then moved to California to gain more experience in small animal medicine.
After two years there, he moved back to New Mexico and settled down in Rio Rancho, co-owning his veterinary practice where he has worked hard every day since.
Jean McCall grew up on a farm in southwest Louisiana - a good place to grow up. She graduated from Louisiana State University Veterinary School in 1983 with the support and encouragement of her family.
She worked in New Orleans mainly at the Louisiana SPCA where she learned to always see both sides of the situation and to have patience and compassion.
As with countless other people, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita uprooted her life, and she wound up moving to Albuquerque where her older sister and niece live.
Says Dr. McCall: "So, here I am in the desert, with my little house and just a few cats. I miss green and water, but New Mexico has its own kind of charm!"
People, left to right:
Back: Adrianna, Joe, Matt, Vince
Front: Holly, Jennifer, Lexi, Bernice, Jackie, Felicia
Not pictured: Crystella, Jesse
People, left to right:
Back: Taeya, Jade, Chanel, Guivini, Ronin, Jackie
Front: Elijah, Sydney, Savannah, Latina
Not pictured: Andrea, Lidia
Pets, left to right:
Back: Frank the Tank, Kiki, Vixen
Front:
Missiles, Samus, Arrow