Veterinarians

We invite you to explore the biographies of our doctors and learn more about them. Our doctors have a wide variety of backgrounds and interests.

Frank Lavac, MS,DVM,ABVP-Avian
- Frank Lavac, MS,DVM,ABVP-Avian
Frank Lavac
Medical Director
Board Certification: DABVP/Avian
Veterinary School: Colorado State University
Graduate School: Colorado State University

Our Medical Director is Dr. Frank Lavac. He is board certified in Avian Medicine and Surgery and leads our team of veterinarians and staff. While Dr. Lavac has expertise in birds and exotics, most ...
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Michelle Jack, DVM
- Michelle Jack, DVM
Michelle Jack
Associate Veterinarian
Veterinary School: Ohio State University

Dr. Michelle Jack grew up surrounded by pets, from cats and birds to lizards and mice. As a result, she knew from a young age she wanted to be a veterinarian. She completed her undergraduate training ...
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Pernilla Edstrom, DVM
- Pernilla Edstrom, DVM
Pernilla Edstrom
Associate Veterinarian
Veterinary School: Western University of Health Sciences

Dr. Pernilla Edstrom was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, and moved to Los Angeles when she was 15 years old.

While she always knew she had a passion for animals, growing up ...
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James Schulke, DVM, ABVP, Feline
- James Schulke, DVM, ABVP, Feline
James Schulke
Associate Veterinarian
Board Certification: DABVP/Feline
Veterinary School: Oregon State University

Dr. Jim Schulke is board certified in Feline Medicine. He also sees lots of dogs, as well as other species.

A native of Oregon, he obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree ...
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Patty Thongnamsap
Associate Veterinarian
Veterinary School: University of California, Davis

Dr. Thongnamsap grew up in Southern California and enjoys spending her time in the sun, ocean, mountains, and desert. She had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Northern California while attending ...
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Our Team

Specialty Care

Sometimes sick or injured pets need the care of a veterinary medical specialist. When that happens, VCA specialty hospitals work closely with the general practitioner veterinarians who refer cases to us in order to provide seamless veterinary care to your pet. When your pet is facing any kind of serious illness or injury, our specialty referral hospitals will provide the compassionate and expert care your beloved pet needs.

Our goal is to make sure that when you and your pet are in need that you have access to board certified specialists who are up to date on the very latest developments in their field. In our state of the art hospitals, our specialists also have access to the most sophisticated diagnostic and treatment tools and techniques from ultrasonography and endoscopy to CAT scans and even MRI.

We have over 40 specialty hospitals across the US so there may be one near you. Our specialized services include: behavior, cardiology, critical care, dentistry, dermatology, integrative medicine, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, radiology, rehabilitation, reproduction, and surgery.