If you've lived in Hermosa Beach any length of time, then Dr. Alice Villalobos has probably welcomed you to one of her infamous New Years Eve potluck parties, treated your beloved pet at the VCA Coast Animal Hospital, or passed you while jogging along The Strand.

Not only is the modest, low-key Hermosa Beach resident known for being the local go-to animal doctor, and her social and civic contributions to the community, but she also happens to be a world-renowned Veterinary Oncologist — lecturing all over the world on a wide variety of topics as a pioneer in geriatric oncology.

"When I've mentioned Dr. Alice's name at dinner parties with other animal lovers, everyone has heard of her," said Rolling Hills Estates-based Equestrian Designery owner Diane Barber, who was mentioned in Villalobos' book "Canines and Felines - Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human-Animal Bond" after her geriatric chocolate Labrador was put down.

The book features the Quality of Life Scale Villalobos created that "helps you determine whether extending their lives is humane and positive for the animal. Oftentimes humans extend their pet's lives when the animal is miserable," said Julie Jennings, Hermosa Beach resident and Nu Skin Enterprises independent global distributor.

Her 12-and-a-half-year-old greyhound was given "special Pawspice care and the gift of euthanasia following a pathologic fracture," Villalobos said.

Many pet lovers have told Villalobos that her book and wisdom was pivotal in their decision-making process on determining the quality of life their pet would experience living with cancer, and helped them make the painful yet right decision with their veterinarians who also read it.

"She has a special way of making you feel like your animal is the most important one in the world," Barber said. "Dr. Alice turned the lights down, lit candles, brought in flowers, and read poetry … she left it up to me when the final injection should occur."

Touted by many as a visionary and leader in the pet hospice "Pawspice" movement, Villalobos is now serving as the president of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics.

She also serves as the chairman of the board for the Peter Zippi Memorial Fund for Animals, which she founded in 1977 to care for and place homeless animals in homes, helping more than 11,000 animals to date.

Villalobos was one of the first women entering the veterinary field back in the 1970s while studying at the University of California, Davis, under the guidance of Dr. Gordon Theilen, whom she respectfully refers to as "the father of modern veterinary oncology."

After graduation, she moved to Hermosa Beach, where her biggest impact on the local community has been as the founder and practitioner at the former Coast Pet Clinic/Animal Cancer Center, which she began in 1974.

Her most famous patient was Gidget, the Taco Bell Chihuahua, who she smilingly revealed had a $53,000 insurance policy on her life. When she was treating Gidget she had no idea who this famous little dog was.

Villalobos partnered with Veterinary Centers of America in 1998, and sold the rest of her shares in the practice five years later. The clinic and animal cancer center was renamed VCA/Coast Animal Hospital, where Villalobos continues to consult with patients on Tuesdays and two others on alternate days.

Even though Villalobos no longer runs the hospital, "the community associates the practice with her. It's great having her around," said current VCA/Coast Animal Hospital Medical director Dr. Jennifer Kitchen. "She has a unique talent in understanding the human-animal bond and getting everyone in a good place together."

"She's so passionate about what she does," Kitchen added. "She built the practice from the ground up over 32 years ago and her spirit is still here."

The Coast Pet Clinic/Animal Cancer Center also holds much more than Villalobos' professional history. She met Ira, her husband, in exam room No. 1 when Murphy, his gordon setter dog, needed a vaccine shot. Ira would only allow a licensed doctor to treat him.

Six months later Ira and Villalobos were engaged, marrying in 1982. The Bottle Inn, one of their favorite local restaurants, is where they hosted their rehearsal dinner 28 years ago. To this day, it's where they celebrate their annual wedding anniversary.

As a longtime member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Hermosa historical society, and founder of the original local book and ski clubs, Villalobos said that the city offers everything she and her husband need, including 45 restaurants, the ocean, and all of their friends in town.

"We will never live anywhere else," she said. "I've traveled all over the world and choose to live here. People who live elsewhere say we live in paradise."

Villalobos added that she is also a big fan of Hermosa's weekly farmer's market, because of the fresh fruits and vegetables; and restaurants, such as Paradise Sushi, The Spot and Jackson's (before they closed), because of their healthy menu choices that align with her anti-cancer lifestyle of regular exercise and proper eating. Her youthful appearance belies her age, which she is proud to say, is 63.

Along with dining, Villalobos said that her favorite local activity is the Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza New Year's Eve celebration. She and Ira have hosted a New Year's Eve Open House potluck dinner party over the last 10 years for family, friends and neighbors in their custom-built home.

The home includes a pet menagerie: two screeching Macaws, Stanley and Max, who live in a spacious outdoor aviary in a garden overflowing with exotic flowers from South America; a calico Peter Zippi Fund rescue cat named Fern; Sulcy, a baby African Spurred Sulcata Tortoise, and of course, Neo, Ira and Villalobos' 86-pound purebred Olde English bulldog.

Despite her many oncology and animal health awards, and global travels, Villalobos said that she will always cherish the community in Hermosa, and considers life here "a treasured way to live."