Dr. Michelle Gonzalez (Dr. G) was born and raised in Puerto Rico and obtained a B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University (1995), a DVM from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (1999), and a Certificate of Internship in Small Animal Medicine, Surgery and Critical Care from the University of Missouri (2000). She has obtained a Graduate Certificate in Shelter Medicine (2015), an M.S. in Veterinary Forensics (2017) and in Forensic Science (2022) from the University of Florida, an M.S. in Forensic Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University (2020), and a Master of Studies in Law (2025) from Lewis & Clark University with a focus on Animal Law. 

Dr. Gonzalez is the founder and Medical Director of the Rascal Unit, a mobile veterinary practice providing affordable and accessible care for animals in Ohio. She is also the director of Rascal Charities, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides sterilization, wellness, and medical care to individuals in need of financial assistance and community cat/TNR efforts. Dr. G assists in the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty and neglect cases with both local and national humane organizations. She has been involved with several organizations as a consultant and board member and aims to use her experience and education to help improve the quality of life of both animals and humans. Her primary focus is access to care, the human-animal bond, and student education. In her spare time, Dr. Gonzalez hosts a podcast, The Animal Welfare Junction, which promotes animal welfare efforts and veterinary forensic cases