Ben Otten, DVM, ABVP-Avian

Dr. Benjamin Otten  grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York and knew from the first baby bird he saved, he wanted to be an exotic animal veterinarian. He earned his undergraduate degree at Heidelberg University in Ohio and then completed his DVM at University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Dr. Otten got his first real taste for the ER at UTK when he spent 2 years in the live-in emergency service. Then after a stint working in a rural Vermont practice, he moved to NYC for his residency program in Avian Medicine and Surgery at The Animal Medical Center.

On October 11, 2001, Dr. Otten relocated to California and has worked in numerous general practice and specialty hospitals, around the Bay Area: including the 10 years as owner of allCREATURES Veterinary Clinic in El Cerrito.

Dr. Otten joined the Emergency Department at PESCM in 2022 and in 2023 started their exotics specialty service. Dr Otten enjoys the variety of patients he sees as an exotic pet veterinarian and really likes talking with clients about their pets’ condition and the various treatment options available.

Dr. Otten has lived in California for over 20 years and considers Berkeley his home. When not working he can be found at the Farmer’s Market in his tie-dye and Birkenstock’s or in the East Bay hills spending time with his family, including the furry and feathered creatures that find their way into their home.