Dr. Maria Pyrdek joined Pasadena Humane in 2019 as an associate veterinarian, becoming the organization’s chief veterinarian in 2022. Prior to Pasadena Humane, Dr. Pyrdek worked with Banfield Pet Hospital in Seal Beach, CA and as a wildlife rehabilitator with the Animal Rescue League of Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.  

Dr. Pyrdek is passionate about working to provide quality, evidence-based medical care to all animals. She loves collaborating with teams to come up with creative ways to solve problems and utilize resources. Her experience across not-for-profit domestic animal sheltering and wildlife rehabilitation, as well as the corporate veterinary world, provides her with a unique perspective on the strengths and challenges of many areas of veterinary medicine. When she is not working, you can find her exploring a new country, listening to music or off-roading, in the wilderness with her husband and two dogs.