Meet Our Team
Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Ohana Pet Hospital. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets.
Get To Know Our Team
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care. We look forward to getting to know you, and we hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Dr. Janis Shinkawa
Dr. Jill Muraoka Lim
Dr. Nicci Quinn
Dr. Megan Glaser
Dr. Amy Vlazny
Dr. Marnie Burgoyne
Dr. Steffani Klittich
Dr. Jon Dickson
Dr. Helen Smith
Dr. Jessica Kirksey
Dr. Karen Sama
Dr. Cassidy Maugeri
Dr. Threnody Brown Earley-Clark
Dr. Threnody Brown Earley-Clark (aka Dr. Brown) is a 2022 graduate of the Royal Veterinary College located in London. After completing her veterinary degree abroad, Dr Brown moved to the area to pursue an internship in wildlife medicine and surgery at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network. During this time she worked with native and non-native birds, reptiles, and mammals (including North America’s only marsupial – the Virginia opossum).
Dr. Brown’s love of all creatures great and small has taken her around the globe – living in Paris, France, London, United Kingdom, the continental US, and Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Prior to veterinary school, she attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for undergraduate and La Pietra – Hawaiʻi School for Girls for high school. Living in various locations has expanded Dr. Brown’s understanding of how we relate to our non-human ‘Ohana and deepened her commitment to helping all species.
Finding herself most grounded in community, she was drawn to ʻOhana’s commitment to compassionate care and community support. When she’s not at the hospital Dr. Brown can be found sipping iced coffee at the beach or snuggled up with her rescue cat Pepper.
Dr. Kupkee
Dr. Kupkee comes to us with 28 years of veterinary dentistry and surgery experience. Having been in general practice since 1996, Dr. Kupkee spent 2023-2024 studying advanced veterinary dentistry procedures. As well as veterinary dentistry, Dr.Kupkee excels in surgery and discomfort prevention.
Born overseas, Dr. Kupkee was brought up in the British educational system before coming over to the USA to study veterinary medicine in Illinois. He eventually moved to Miami where he owned and operated a dog and cat practice for 17 years with his wife and Veterinary Assistant, Lynn. During his time in Miami, he was a regular guest speaker on National Public Radio and made monthly television appearances on NBC 6 South Florida to discuss veterinary topics.
In veterinary dentistry, Dr. Kupkee’s mission is to send home “a disease-free mouth”. He also believes that “every test should have a plan”. He is particularly passionate about ensuring that the pet parent understands what is needed for their pet’s wellness and treatment.
Dr Kupkee now lives in Ventura with Lynn and his miniature dachshund Zohan. In their free time, the Kupkee family enjoys international travel, food, culture, horseback riding, and exploring this amazing part of the world in which we live.
Dr. Cassidy Maugeri
Dr. Cassidy Maugeri is a 2021 graduate of Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine, in West Lafayette, Indiana. After enjoying her time in the Midwest, Dr. Cassidy relocated to California to pursue her dual dream of being a veterinarian and soaking up the sun year round!
Dr. Cassidy was born in Freehold, New Jersey and is a proud Jersey girl! Raised by a high school Biology teacher father and holistic Chiropractor mother, Dr. Cassidy was interested in medicine and the impact it can have on patients’ lives from a young age. Unable to deny the pull she felt towards animals, Dr. Cassidy attended the University of New Hampshire, where she obtained a B.S. degree in animal science. While at UNH, she worked at the Fairchild Dairy Teaching and Research Center, where she observed, tested, and treated dairy cows and calves. Her deep love for cows almost took her to rural America, but a curiosity for small animal medicine and the desire to fold alternative medicine into a predominantly conventional field led her to Ohana! She is currently pursuing a certification in acupuncture from Chi University, so she can integrate more functional medicine techniques into her small animal practice.
Dr. Cassidy lives in Ventura with her boyfriend Joe. When not in the office, you can find her playing fetch on the beach with her golden/lab mix, Maya, exploring every pizza place SoCal has to offer, flying out of LAX to visit friends and family on the east coast, or wandering around any National Park she can step foot in! Dr. Cassidy can’t wait to love on your pets.
Dr. Karen Sama
Dr. Karen Sama was born and raised in Connecticut. Always surrounded by family pets, she wanted to be a veterinarian since kindergarten. She completed her undergraduate studies at New York University in the pre-med program, then moved to Colorado to complete her pre-veterinary course requirements. Graduating from Colorado State University cum laude, she continued her western migration to California.
She loves to travel, especially on walking trips that combine great natural beauty with interesting cities, cuisine and/or culture. She lives in Ojai with her husband, two dogs and two cats. She obsesses a bit about the front yard she turned into a garden of native plants, enjoys bird watching (a pandemic hobby that stuck), as well as hiking and making old-school cocktails. After 15 years working in Ventura County, she is pleased to join Ohana Pet Hospital at its Santa Paula location.
Dr. Jessica Kirksey
Dr. Kirksey was raised in Georgia. She wanted to be a veterinarian from a very young age and started her first job as a veterinary assistant at 17. She attained her undergraduate degree in Animal and Dairy Science from University of Georgia 2003 and later graduated from University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. She started practice in Sarasota, Florida for several years but made the jump to the West Coast in 2013. Dr. Kirksey has a strong interest in dermatology and preventative care.
Dr. Kirksey lives in Ventura with her husband Andrew, their two dogs – Oliver and Pickle, three cats – Kitten, Snaggletooth, and Meow, and three backyard chickens. When Dr. Kirksey is not working, she enjoys hiking, reading and traveling.
Dr. Helen Smith
In May 2022, Ohana Pet Hospital extended its professional family to include Dr. Helen Smith to its veterinary team.
Dr. Helen Smith is a 2012 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine, in Athens, Georgia. After veterinary school she completed a large animal ambulatory internship also through the University of Georgia. Following her internship she moved to South Carolina where she gradually transitioned to small animal medicine full time. More recently she practiced in Orange County before relocating to Ventura County in May of 2022.
Dr. Smith was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. Prior to veterinary school, she attained a B.A. in Animal Science, also from the University of Georgia. While in school she worked as a veterinary technician, and spent her summer’s traveling to Central America to provide veterinary care to under privileged communities and shadowing various veterinarians including wildlife veterinarians in South Africa. Her professional interests are primarily in canine and feline internal medicine as well as preventative medicine. She really enjoys working with clients to help their pets live their healthiest, happiest lives.
Dr. Smith lives in Newbury Park with her husband Benjamin, toddler daughter, and a sweet Puggle mix named Impi. She and her family enjoy spending time at the beach, outdoors hiking and exploring their new home.
Dr. Allie Jones
In October 2020, Ohana Pet Hospital expanded its professional family to include Dr. Allie Jones (aka Dr. Jones). Dr. Jones’ professional interests include eyeballs (You read that right!). She has a special interest in Ophthalmology and loves to see complex cases. She finds a special kind of joy in helping patients see clearly.
Dr. Jones was raised in Topanga Canyon, but moved to Ventura for high school. During college she was originally entertaining being a Journalism Major, but felt the Animal Science majors were learning more interesting things. She knew she needed to change Majors and since then has never looked back. She received her BS in Animal Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2007. She went on to get her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis, graduating in 2011.
When not busy at work, Dr. Jones enjoys sewing, gardening, and being outdoors. On weekends, she is often quilting, relaxing in her garden, or backpacking with her dog, Cora.
Dr. Jon Dickson
In April of 2020, Ohana Pet Hospital extended its professional family to include Dr. Jon Dickson (aka Dr. Dickson), who has joined the hospital’s general practice.
Dr. Dickson is a third generation veterinarian from Bakersfield who graduated from UC San Diego with a BS in Physiology and Neuroscience, minoring in the History of Science. He then attended UC Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2013. Following graduation, he completed a rotating internship in emergency medicine, general practice, shelter medicine, internal medicine, and surgery at an animal referral and emergency center in Arizona.
He moved back to Bakersfield to begin working as an Associate Veterinarian at Bakersfield Veterinary Hospital. Having grown up in Bakersfield, Dr. Dickson spent his summers surfing Ventura County beaches, enjoying the coastal weather. So, in the Spring of 2017, when Dr. Dickson and his family had the opportunity to relocate from Bakersfield to Ventura, they took it.
His professional interests are soft tissue surgery, diagnostic imaging, and emergency medicine. When he’s not spending time with his wife, our very own Dr. Marnie Burgoyne, and their daughter, he enjoys soccer, surfing, mountain biking, hiking, and playing board games.
Dr. Steffani Klittich
In August 2019, Ohana Pet Hospital extended its professional family to include Dr. Steffani Klittich to its veterinary team.
Dr. Klittich (aka Dr. K) was born and raised in Orange County, CA. At just four years old, she knew she wanted to become a veterinarian, which Dr. K further confirmed when she began working in the veterinary industry in high school. First starting as a kennel assistant, Dr. K began working her way through every job in the hospital. She went on to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo earning a B.S. degree in Animal Science and obtaining a veterinary degree from U.C. Davis. Following veterinary school Dr. K worked in Northern California while her husband was finishing his PhD program. The couple then relocated closer to family in Fillmore.
As a veterinarian Dr. K’s interests include preventative medicine, oral health care, geriatric and pain management and even food animal medicine. When not in the office Dr. K can be found enjoying the outdoors with her husband and two young children. Her family also includes two cats, Joy and James, and a rambunctious allergy-prone German Shepard, Adicus.
Please help us give a warm welcome to Dr. K the next time you’re in at Ohana Pet Hospital.
Dr. Marnie Burgoyne
In May 2019, Ohana Pet Hospital extended its professional family to include Dr. Marnie Burgoyne (aka Dr. Marnie) who has joined the hospital’s general practice.
Dr. Marnie grew up in North Hollywood and attended Whitman College in Walla Walla WA, earning a Bachelor’s of Arts in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Biology. She then attended the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, earning her degree in 2013. Following graduation, Dr. Marnie completed a rotating internship in emergency medicine, general practice, shelter medicine, internal medicine, and surgery at an animal referral and emergency center in Arizona. Moving from one incredibly hot city to another, she took a position as an associate veterinarian in Bakersfield where she worked for nearly 3 years as a general practice and emergency clinician. While in Bakersfield, Dr. Marnie also worked as a shelter spay and neuter surgeon for the City of Bakersfield Animal Care Center. By 2017, Dr. Marnie was ready to leave the hot weather behind her and escaped to the cool picturesque climate of Ventura.
Dr. Marnie lives in Ventura with her veterinarian husband Jon. They have a daughter and two cattle dog mixes – Tippy and Gibson. When not at work, Dr. Marnie spends her time being bossed around by her toddler, illustrating in pen and colored pencil, reading any and every book she can get her hands on, trying to find time to get outdoors and exercise, eating cereal, and learning new musical instruments.
Dr. Amy Vlazny
Dr. Amy Vlazny is a 2011 graduate of the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, in Massachusetts. After veterinary school she moved to Ventura to complete an internship in small animal emergency medicine, internal medicine, and surgery at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG). She then practiced veterinary emergency and general medicine in Thousand Oaks prior to joining the Ohana team in 2016.
Dr. Amy grew up in Louisville, KY. Prior to veterinary school, she attained a B.A. in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis, worked as a veterinary technician, and spent over two years in Ecuador as a Peace Corps Volunteer. As a result of her experiences she has a special interest in outreach work to bring much-needed veterinary services to underserved communities. Her professional interests are primarily in canine and feline emergency and internal medicine and soft tissue surgery.
Dr. Amy lives in Ventura with her husband Cesar, and young daughters Nina and Pakari. She spends her down time hiking, mountain biking, and otherwise enjoying the outdoors, reading, listening to her favorite radio programs, and practicing yoga.
Dr. Megan Glaser
In October 2016, Ohana Pet Hospital expanded its professional family to include Dr. Megan Glaser (aka Dr. Megan). Dr. Megan’s professional interests include internal medicine and general practice.
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Dr. Megan earned a degree in Music Composition from the College of Creative Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. During her undergraduate studies, Dr. Megan worked in a small animal practice in Goleta and fell in love with veterinary medicine. Dr. Megan began veterinary school in Grenada at St. George’s University, but transferred after her first year to Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR, where she earned her degree in veterinary medicine in 2012. Dr. Megan practiced in Newbury Park prior to joining Ohana Pet Hospital.
When not busy at work, Dr. Megan enjoys spending time with her husband (Kris), daughter (Addison), two schnauzers (Izzy and Sven), and her horse (Sierra). Dr. Megan also spends her downtime improvising on the piano, racing her Mini Cooper in autocross, and driving off-road in the family Jeep.
Dr. Nicci Quinn
Dr. Nicci Quinn (aka Dr. Nicci) is a founding partner of Ohana Pet Hospital.
Born and raised in Stockton, California, Dr. Nicci earned a Bachelors degree in biology from the University of California in Santa Barbara, College of Creative Studies. While there, to help earn her way through school, she worked as a research SCUBA diver for their Department of Marine Sciences. She was accepted to veterinary school at the University of California in Davis, where she met Dr. Jill.
Following graduation in 2002, Dr. Nicci returned to the central coast where she completed a one year rotating small animal internship at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG). She then began working as a small animal practitioner in Santa Barbara for a few years before joining Doctors Jill, Jan, and Kate in Ventura. Dr. Nicci is happy to work with all small animals, including reptiles and pocket pets.
Dr. Nicci’s hobbies and passions include hiking, surfing, dancing, skiing, and practicing multiple forms of martial arts. She and her husband, Cody, also love to travel, and have been to many other countries including Brazil, South Africa, and Thailand. There is not quite as much time for these activities over the past few years since starting their family. They are kept busy these days with their 2 children, a daughter and a son.
Dr. Jill Muraoka Lim
Dr. Jill Muraoka Lim (aka Dr. Jill) is a founding partner of Ohana Pet Hospital.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Dr. Jill completed both her undergraduate and veterinary studies at the University of California in Davis where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Dr. Jill continued her training in Ventura by completing a small animal rotating-internship at the Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG) located here in Ventura. From there, she worked in a few companion-animal general practices in both Orange and Ventura counties before joining Dr. Jan, Dr. Nicci, and Dr. Kate in forming Ohana Pet Hospital in December 2012.
Dr. Jill is passionate about educating veterinary support staff and supporting our animal rescues and shelters acting as hospital liaison for various non-profit organizations such as the Canine Adoption and Rescue League (CARL) and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. She also assisted in the development and launch of Ventura College’s veterinary technology program in 2020 that received its initial accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2022 to become one of 223 accredited vet tech training programs in the country.
By investing in training and caring for our team we strive to build a culture featuring happy, healthy staff which is important for us to be able to provide high quality compassionate care for both our clients and pet patients.
Dr. Janis Shinkawa
Dr. Jan Shinkawa (aka Dr. Jan) is the Medical Director and a founding partner of Ohana Pet Hospital. Born and raised in Honololulu, Hawaii, Dr. Jan started her career as a Certified Public Accountant, working for Ernst & Young, LLP for over five years. In 1996, Dr. Jan began her pursuit of a career in veterinary medicine, a dream since the age of nine. She completed her veterinary studies at Colorado State University in 2002 and moved to Ventura to complete a small animal rotating internship at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG). From there, Dr. Jan worked as a general animal practitioner in both Orange County and Ventura before founding Ohana with her business partners and fellow veterinarians in December 2012. Dr. Jan is an active member in our community having previously served as president of both the Santa Barbara-Ventura Veterinary Medical Association and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) of Ventura County. She currently serves on the NAWBO National Board as the Chair-Elect and Advocacy Committee Chair. Dr. Jan and Dr. Jill have helped to develop the veterinary assistant program at Charter College in Oxnard. They also initiated and assisted in the creation of our local Veterinary Technology program at Ventura College which is an Accredited American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) teaching program for registered veterinary technicians (RVTs). The focus right now for Dr. Jan is the final phase of Ohana’s vision… Lokahi Foundation, which is a 501c3 non-profit. Lokahi aims to help create a sustainable long-term career and future in veterinary medicine for all of its people while delivering exceptional customer service to pet owners and high-quality care to pets. The Lokahi teaching lab has been built attached to our Santa Paula clinic to deliver training to our local veterinarians and support staff. This lab will also be utilized by the Ventura College Veterinary Technology students.
