Veterinarian
Dr. Aileen Ruiz
General practitioner and hospital owner, Dr. Aileen Ruiz, opened The BIG EASY Animal Hospital in 2010. A native of Miami, Florida, Dr. Ruiz attended Florida International University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology in 1998. Following graduation, she attended Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine and was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. She then pursued a year internship in New Orleans's, Southeast Veterinary Specialists, and completed further training in emergency care, internal medicine, surgery and dermatology. In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans's, she came to Pittsburgh with her pets to rebuild her life and continue to practice veterinary medicine. A member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, the Western Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association and the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Ruiz now proudly owns the only Hispanic veterinary hospital in the city of Pittsburgh, the BIG EASY Animal Hospital located in the Lawrenceville area, her own neighborhood.
Dr. Ruiz lives with her boyfriend, Matt, and together they have 4 dogs (Sadie, Maya, Tyson, Wishbone), a cat (Belly) and a hamster (V-J Bear). In her spare time, Dr. Ruiz enjoys white-water rafting, skiing, traveling and Mardi Gras.
Mayra Gomez
Receptionist/Financial manager, Mayra Gomez, is part of the BIG EASY Animal Hospital team. Mayra enjoys working at the BIG EASY because she likes being around animals and the wonderful staff and clients. Of course, she also like working with Dr. Aileen Ruiz, who is the hospital's owner and Mayra's daughter. Mayra shares her home with her other daughter and son, Tania and Ricky, along with their Chihuahua, P-Wizzle. When she is not working at the hospital, she likes to explore Pittsburgh.
Tania E. Richard
Receptionist, Tania E. Richard, is part of the BIG EASY Animal Hospital team. Tania enjoys working at the BIG EASY because she likes being around animals and the wonderful staff and clients. Of course, she also like working with Dr. Aileen Ruiz, who is the hospital's owner and Tania's sister. Tania recently graduated from Everest Institute as a Medical Assistant and planning to further her education as a registered nurse and obtain her Masters Degree. She is currently attending Community College of Allegheny County to get her Associates Degree along with her Pre-Nursing degree. Tania lives in Lawrenceville with her mother Mayra, her brother Ricky, and her doggy Peewee (P-Wizzle).
Chelsea Hall
Practice Manager and Head Technician, Chelsea Hall, has been a veterinary technician for over 7 years in the states of CA, NJ and now here in PA. She has experience in various veterinary settings ranging from routine to emergency/urgent care. She also enjoys rescuing and fostering animals whenever she can. She is a huge animal lover and is very passionate about helping and saving the lives of any furry creature. She has four dogs; Koda aka Momma, Rupert aka Schmootie Two Shoes, Stewi aka Stewballs, and Bertie aka Bertie Scruffmeister. She also has 3 cats; Linus aka Nusser, Colorado aka Crawdy, and Dizzie aka Dizzard.