Dr. Noelle Bechtel received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (2017) and was the 2017 recipient of the Everingham Prize for Cardiology. Upon graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Bechtel completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. After her rotating internship, she worked several years as an emergency doctor at a large specialty and referral hospital in Philadelphia before returning to the Bay Area and working as a general practice doctor for several years. In August of 2022 she joined SF AMC's general wellness and emergency team.

Dr. Bechtel's love for animals started at a young age. She grew up with dogs and completed a shadowing program with a local veterinary clinic when she was seven. What began as an innate love for animals developed into a true passion for medicine, people, and their pets.

Her primary interests include preventative and emergency medicine, soft tissue surgery, and client education. Dr. Bechtel is also a Fear Free Certified Professional and passionate about reducing fear, anxiety, and stress experienced by animals in the veterinary setting through implementing fear-free techniques to create a safer and smoother environment for pets, owners, and the veterinary healthcare team. She is also passionate about mentorship for new veterinarians and promoting workplace well-being within the veterinary profession. She completed the Workplace Well Being Certificate Program, is an active member of the Veterinary Mental Health Initiative’s Advisory Council, and is a mentor for MentorVet, an evidence-based veterinary mentorship and professional development program for early career veterinarians.

Dr. Bechtel is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association (SFVMA).

Outside of treating patients, she enjoys long-distance running, hiking, yoga, guitar, and cooking. Dr. Bechtel also loves spending time with her husband and their daughter who they welcomed in November 2022, and their orange tabby cat and rescued golden retriever.