By Tricia Witkower
Shakira Jameson, DVM, is the owner of Paws and Claws Urgent Care and has known her whole life she wanted to be a veterinarian. She was so sure, in fact, that in thinking of her future, there was no Plan B. Becoming a vet was the only plan there was. Born in Spain but raised here in the Coachella Valley, she started out at College of the Desert. There she took classes while working for a mortgage company. She then made the move a little east once she was accepted into Colorado State University and completed her bachelor’s degree. She then focused solely on school and her dream of becoming a veterinarian and soon received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Of being a vet, Dr. Jameson lists the most rewarding aspect of her career that she is able to help both pets and their owners. She draws inspiration from knowing she has the opportunity to do good. And do good, she does. Her patients’ owners give Dr. Jameson rave reviews, citing her kind and caring bedside manner. “Dr. Jameson makes me feel like my dog is her very favorite patient. Whether he really is or not, I don’t care. She is so happy to see him and treats him as if he’s as special as I think he is as his owner,” says one happy client. This is one of so many rave reviews you’ll hear if you mention Dr. Jameson’s name or her clinic, Paws and Claws Urgent Care. Her passion for animals has earned her a well-deserved reputation as one of the most caring and talented vets in the Coachella Valley. Both pups and humans alike love Dr. Jameson.
As you might guess, Dr. Jameson has several pets herself. Currently single, she is the mother to three fur babies – two shih tzus, both 14-years old, and a Chihuahua who is 10 years-old. When she has some free time, she revives her mind, body, and spirit by taking the time to relax and veg out. She is a self-described homebody who loves to hang out with her dogs and her family. She also loves to cook when she wants to unwind. She loves suspense and mystery TV shows and movies and counts Criminal Minds and NCIS among her favorite shows. John Grisham books get her going when she has time to read and she loves a good slow jam, as well as oldies, R&B, and Latin music. When she’s able to get time away from the office, her favorite vacation spot is Riviera Maya, Mexico.
When asked how she keeps it together in today’s world, Dr. Jameson states she does this by remaining focused on the task at hand. Dr. Jameson cites her mother as the woman she respects the most. Asked to expand upon this, she answers, “My mother has overcome so much herself to give my brother and me a good life. We would not be the people we are today without her.” The animal-loving community in the Coachella Valley is sure grateful for her being the person she is today. Dr. Jameson has a mantra, “Everything happens for a reason, we just need to stop and listen.”
Dr. Jameson is representing the worthy organization, Loving All Animals. This worthy organization states its mission is “to bring together local and national animal welfare organizations to work together for the benefit of animals.” Dr. Jameson believes strongly in them and likes what they do for pets of all kinds in the community. In 2013 and 2014, Loving All Animals was voted Best Charity and Best Animal Charity in the Readers’ Choice Awards in The Desert Sun and CV Weekly, respectively.
