Ready, Vet, Go

Dr. John Haburjak graduated from UC Davis Veterinary School in 1993. He practiced for 5 years in and around the SF Bay Area before completing a combined surgical residency program in San Diego and the University of Illinois. Dr. Haburjak is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons his clinical surgical interests include surgical oncologic procedures of the face, head and neck, corrective orthopedic procedures, and disorders of the canine stifle. Finally, he has dedicated most of his post-graduate emphasis on minimally invasive procedures including: laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and interventional radiology (urethral and tracheal stenting). Dr. Haburjak’s hobbies include singles tennis, Oakland A’s baseball, discovering the Tahoe basin with his kids and cooking (not to mention eating, too!). He shares his life with his wife, Aimee (a veterinarian pathologist), daughters Eva & Emery and sons Ian & Isaac – along with Lady Addison (bubble-headed Japanese spaniel), Poppy (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a freckled nose!), Pixie (mutant Chihuahua) – some Guinea Pigs and a Cat named Ginger Cookie.

Dr. Sydney Pokard is a small animal and exotics veterinarian practicing in Southern California. After graduating from WesternU in 2016, she went straight into private practice working with small animals, exotics, and wildlife, as well as joining the team at two local zoos. After almost 6 years at the practice, Dr. Sydney decided to venture out on her own providing relief veterinary services to exotic animal hospitals and ER´s around the area, and wildlife rehabilitation centers internationally. Dr. Sydney is currently working on her board certification (ABVP) in exotic companion mammals and just transitioned to practice ownership, opening her first start-up small animal/exotics practice in June 2024.

Catherine Santos, DVM is an early-career small animal general practitioner in Florida who went directly into general practice after earning her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Shortly after graduation, she served as the only full-time veterinarian in her practice for a period of time, gaining significant hands-on experience and clinical independence early in her career. She also holds an additional position focused primarily on small animal surgery, and surgery remains one of her strongest professional passions. Dr. Santos enjoys the technical challenge, problem-solving, and confidence-building that comes with a high surgical caseload and values continual growth in the operating room. As a recent graduate, Dr. Santos is passionate about mentoring veterinary students and new graduates, sharing transparent insights into the transition from veterinary school to clinical practice, and helping future veterinarians navigate their early careers with confidence. Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys reading novels, cuddling with her calico cat Eclipse, and exploring new cuisines with her fiancé.