Manuel Garcia, DVM
Dr. Garcia is a native New Mexican. He was born in Santa Fe and lived in Bloomfield since kindergarten. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1991 and, after a brief term in the United States Navy, went to school in Socooro at New Mexio Tech. After graduating from Tech, he completed Veterinary School from a cooperative program between Oregon and Washington States University in 2000. After two years of practice in Farmington, the wilds of the north called and he practiced at Montana Veterinary Specialists and General Care before returning to Farmington in 2004 to practice at San Juan Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Garcia is married to Andrea and they live with bulldogs Moses, Gertie, and Noelle. He has a stepson, Seth and two beautiful granddaughters named Rosa and Lily. He enjoys falling off of his mountain bike and dirt bike when he is not caring for clients and patients.
Beth Lowman, DVM
Beth Marie Lowman was born on April 23, 1978 at San Juana Regional Hospital and raised in Aztec, New Mexico. She is the daughter of Bill and Kathy Lowman also of Aztec. She has three sisters: Jenny (recently married and pursuing a Doctorate in Sociology at UNR in Reno, NV), Marissa (happily married with 3 children), and Tabatha (pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry at Brescia University in Owensboro, KY). She graduated from Aztec High School as an Honor Student and 5th in her class in 1996. After high school she spent 2 years at San Juan Community College while working part time at Farmington Drug as a counter clerk and pharmacy delivery driver. In 1998 she transferred her SJCC credits to New Mexico State University in pursuit of a degree in Animal Science. She graduated With honors from NMSU’s College of Agriculture and Home Economics in 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and a Major in Animal Science. She was accepted to Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 and graduated with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in May 2006. She has been working at San Juan Veterinary Hospital since June 18, 2006.
Dr. Lowman is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association. While at CSU she was an officer and active member of the Zoological Medical Society and a member of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Lowman loves to read, watch movies, and she plays the clarinet. She has played intramural soccer and softball. She is an avid skier and hiker and also loves camping and other outdoor sports. She has desired to be a veterinarian since she was 3 years old. She has been passionate about animals from this early age. She has owned and ridden horses since 1998 and plans “someday” to try a competition trail ride. Currently she owns 2 dogs, 9 cats, 4 horses, 2 goats, and lots of chickens. She also tends to an acre orchard of apple trees.
LeAnn Lake-Heidke, DVM
I am Dr. LeAnn Lake-Heidke, a native New Mexican. I graduated from Kirtland High School, went to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, and graduated from Colorado State University in 2004.
I married Frank right after veterinary school in 2004. We have 2 young boys, Anthony and Nathan. I moved home with my family in July 2007, so we could be near all the relatives. My passion is trail riding on Gracie with Copper in tow. I am very active being “mom” and “wife,” but absolutely love my career. I also have 4 dogs, Melvin, Tusk, Ace, and Valerie; and two cats, Yanjin and Flashlite.
God Bless You.
Nicole Shevokas, DVM
Nicole Renee Ann Shevokas grew up in Aztec, New Mexico. She has had a passion for animals since she was a young girl. Dr. Shevokas graduated first in her class from Aztec High School in 2001. Following graduation, she attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM where she studied Animal Science. In 2004, she gladly accepted a position in the Professional Veterinary Class of 2008 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. During her academic career in veterinary school, she participated in the Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, Students for Human-Animal Relationship Education, and the Zoological Medicine Society. Dr. Shevokas received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from CSU in May of 2008.
In July 2008, Dr. Shevokas, was excited to return home and begin practicing at San Juan Veterinary Hospital where she can give back to her home community.
Dr. Shevokas currently lives in Aztec, NM. She has three dogs, Mona, Millie and Rhino, and a cat named Nomad. She enjoys live theater, the outdoors, reading, quilting and spending time with her friends and family.
Roxanne Benally, DVM
Ya’at’eeh (Greetings). Dr. Roxanne Benally is an enrolled tribal citizen of the Navajo Nation and grew up on a small farm in Shiprock, New Mexico with her parents and siblings. Dr. Benally graduated from Shiprock High School in 2008. In 2012, she completed her Animal Science degree at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. In the May of 2017, Dr. Benally recently graduated from Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Dr. Benally became a veterinarian for the primary reason to help the Navajo Nation, the people of the San Juan County and the State of New Mexico and beyond. Her tradition roots with her Navajo people and community have always bestowed her forever-deepest love and passion for animals. Dr. Benally enjoys the outdoors, watching sports, and spending time with her family.
Chase Beard, DVM
Born and raised in Farmington, Dr. Beard graduated from Bloomfield High School as part of the class of 2014. He went on to attend San Juan College, followed by Colorado State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s in Biomedical Science. He first entered veterinary school in 2020, attending Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona where he graduated in May of 2024. He has an interest in general surgery and a fondness for exotics. His hobbies include reading, archery, skiing, and listening to music, and he’s always open for suggestions regarding new books or music to try out.