Emilio DeBess received his DVM and MPVM degree from the University of California at Davis in 1991. He completed and internship at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada and later completed a residency in public health from the California Department of Health, where he investigated outbreak and worked with California -Mexico border health issues. He practiced in a small animal clinic in California while working as an epidemiologist for Modesto, California in a large outbreaks of hepatitis A in humans. He was hired by the Oregon Health Authority and became the State Public Health Veterinarian for the State of Oregon. His emphasizes is in infectious and zoonotic diseases. He continues to practice small animal medicine and equine medicine.

Dr. DeBess also volunteers for a couple of community organizations distributing pet food (PONGO FUND) and medical care to pets belonging to the homeless. He enjoys being active in his community.