Dr. Karen Benevenuto De Souza

When Dr. Karen de Souza was young, she used to bring stray cats and dogs home, sometimes hidden in her jacket. 

Dr. de Souza graduate in Veterinarian Medicine in 2003, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

After her academic training at Paulista University, she pursued internships and rotations at the University of Sao Paulo in several specialties.  She also did a 2-year of training in anesthesiology and surgery. She loves surgeries, especially delicate ones, eyelids surgeries and oral surgeries are one of her favorites. 

While working for 10 years in Brazil in private clinic she also worked in high volume spay and neuter for the community and in community clinics. 

Dr. de Souza established herself in California in 2013.  While she was studying and preparing for her American boards, she was volunteering at Marin Humane. 

In 2016 after passing all her boards.   She was then hired at Marin Humane as a relief surgeon. She still works at this local shelter twice a week until this date. Marin Humane is a big family for her and she is fulfilled by helping animals and witnessing their happiness in new homes. 

Besides shelter medicine, she has been working in private practice in Marin County providing care for nearly a decade for this wonderful community. 

Dr. de Souza is proud to be a new member of Marin Pet hospital because of its dedicated and knowledgeable staff that truly care for the pets and clients.  Besides that, Dr. de Souza is so enthusiastic that Marin Pet Hospital helps several nonprofit and rescue organizations.  Marin Pet Hospital has been helping Marin Friends of Feral, Cat Connection, Marin Humane and other organizations for decades.  

“I feel blessed to have a wonderful job where I can care for special beings, for me each patient is unique. Understanding needs, preventing pain and discomfort, and helping animals thrive is a great part of the veterinarian job. In this field, you never stop learning; medicine is always evolving.  For me is exciting to learn something new every day, it could be a breakthrough in stem cell therapy or knowing which treat your pet really loves in his office visit.”  

Dr. de Souza is a member of AVMA (American Veterinarian Association), CVMA (Californian Veterinarian Association), IVAMP (International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, Feline VMA (Feline Veterinary Medical Association) and is a certified feline friendly veterinarian.  

She lives in Marin County with her husband and son plus 3 rescued cats: Floki, Bianca and Tooth Fairy.  Occasionally, another dog or cat joins the family as a medical foster.

Dr. de Souza loves spending time in nature, playing with her son and cats; she also enjoys making animal ballons for friends on their birthdays.