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Zack Gardenfors DVM, MS
Veterinarian & Owner
Dr. Zack spent many of his childhood summers on his grandparents’ dairy farm in Sweden, where his love of animals began at an early age. His interest in biology eventually led him to earn a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Washington State University, followed by a Master's degree in Toxicology at the Karolinska Institute, where the Nobel Assembly for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is based.
While at Karolinska Institute, Dr. Zack worked in biomedical research and spent time with veterinarians caring for laboratory animals. That experience helped him realize he wanted to work more directly with animals and make a difference in their health and quality of life. He went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University and completed his clinical training at the University of Melbourne in Australia. After graduating, Dr. Zack spent several years practicing in California in both general practice and emergency medicine. In 2020, his love of the outdoors brought him to Alaska. As he settled into life here, he realized he wanted to create a practice where he could get to know his clients and patients and provide the kind of personal, thoughtful care that mattered to him. He found a home in Homer and founded Kachemak Bay Animal Hospital in 2021. Dr. Zack values getting to know his patients and their families, explaining their options clearly, and working together on a plan that feels right for each pet. He especially appreciates the long-term relationships that come with caring for animals in the community. Homer has also been a wonderful place for Dr. Zack and his wife, Lynn, who is also a veterinarian, to raise their three children. As a family, they enjoy biking, skiing, fishing, and spending time outdoors together. At home, Dr. Zack is often accompanied by Missy, his spirited Pomeranian. Dr. Zack especially enjoys surgery, including orthopedic and soft tissue procedures, as well as emergency medicine. He also enjoys treating exotic pets and caring for a wide variety of animals. |
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Susan Shaffer Sookram DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Susan Shaffer Sookram will begin seeing patients at Kachemak Bay Animal Hospital on August 24.
Dr. Susan is a veterinarian with more than 10 years of clinical experience dedicated to providing care for animals and the people who love them. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where she met her husband Cormac. She went on to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in upstate Ithaca, NY graduating in 2013, and completed an equine internship in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After New Mexico, the Sookrams settled in Colorado to raise two young boys. Dr. Susan thrived in both mixed animal and small animal practice settings, but dreamed of life in the Last Frontier. When the opportunity came to move to Alaska, the Sookram family relocated to Bethel in June 2022. Living and practicing on the remote southwest tundra of Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta was both an extraordinary privilege and a rewarding challenge. During this time, Dr. Susan gained invaluable experience providing veterinary care in a rural Alaskan setting while learning from the rich traditions and resilience of the Yup'ik people. Those experiences have left a lasting impression and continue to shape a deep appreciation for community, culture, and service. Dr. Susan is excited to begin a new Alaskan chapter in Homer with her family and to serve the community and its animals. |