CARLYN MONTES DE OCA is the multiple award-winning author of Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse and Paws for the Good Stuff. She is also an international speaker, animal-human health expert, and passionate animal advocate.

A former film editor on such movies as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Three Men and a Little Lady, Carlyn holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University in communication arts and a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Emperor’s College. She is also certified in plant-based nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutritional Studies at Cornell University.

Montes De Oca was voted PETA’s Sexiest Vegetarian Over 50, has been a spokesperson for the Guardian Campaign at In Defense of Animals and is an ambassador at Animal Protection of New Mexico.

Today, she is the founder of The Animal-Human Health Connection, offering workshops, webinars, and health and wellness coaching. As a sought-after speaker, Carlyn frequently talks with community groups, animal shelters, non-profits, corporations and at national and international conferences on the powerful ways human health, happiness, and longevity are improved through our connection to our animal companions. Recently, Carlyn gave a powerful TEDx talk entitled - The Life-Changing Power of the Animal-Human Health Connection.

A longtime resident of Northern California, Carlyn now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her husband, Ken Fischer, an award-winning sound editor, and her beloved rescue dog, Grace.