Jon Austria/The Daily Times Dr. Manuel Garcia of Bloomfield was reapponted to the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine by N.M. Gov. Susana Martinez on Tuesday.
FARMINGTON — Gov. Susana Martinez has reappointed a local veterinarian to a board that hears complaints against veterinarians and animal hospitals statewide.

Manuel Garcia will serve another four-year term on the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine. Martinez originally appointed Garcia in March 2011.

The state employs investigators who report directly to the board.

Garcia said in coming months the board will make judgments on issues that include changes to rules and regulations for clinics.

Garcia is the only San Juan County resident on the seven-member board. Its unpaid members meet at least four times a year.

He said he brings a perspective of a small-animal veterinarian. Garcia mainly treats pets, as opposed to livestock and other large animals. That makes him part of a mix of different types of veterinarians.

"The board is very diverse and we all bring medicine and standards of care from our area," he said.

Garcia has never met Martinez and wasn't sure why she selected him for the position.

"I think it was (my) ability to bring level headedness and common sense to the board," he said.

Garcia, 39, is one of two owners of San Juan Veterinary Hospital in Farmington. He practices general veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry.

He has worked in Farmington for eight years.

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