VCA Far Country Animal Hospital

Bios

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  Dr. Samantha Yeltatzie

  Medical Director, DVM

  Dr. Yeltatzie started at VCA Far Country in 2010 and is the current Medical Director. She studied Animal Science at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and then graduated from veterinary school at Cornell University in 2005. Her love of animals stems from her tuxedo cat named Socks, whom she had as a child. At one point, Socks was very sick and the veterinarian and technician that treated him went above and beyond to care for him. It was their care, compassion, and dedication that inspired Dr. Yeltatzie to become a veterinarian. Dr. Yeltatzie is ½ Alaskan Native (Haida), was raised in Texas, and has practiced veterinary medicine in Texas and New Mexico before moving to Alaska. Today, Dr. Yeltatzie loves to snuggle and nap on the couch with Mateo, a Hungarian Vizsla whom goes everywhere with her and is the love of her life! Mateo and Dr. Yeltatzie love going hiking, camping, and travel together. Dr. Yeltatzie also has a loveable Husky named Suka, who is currently a blood donor at VCA Far Country Canine Blood bank, and has saved many lives! Dr. Yeltatzie and her husband have also adopted a miniature Dachshund who has special needs. Dr. Yeltatzie enjoys working with sled dogs and has worked as a trail veterinarian for the Iditarod for 7 years. She is also a board member and head veterinarian for the Northern Lights 300 Sled Dog Race. Her professional passions include emergency and critical care, and of course, working with sled dogs.

  Education:

• Dr. Sean McPeck

  Associate Veterinarian, DVM

  Dr. Sean McPeck grew up around animals, as his father was a horse trainer right here in Palmer. Dr. McPeck graduated from veterinary school at Colorado State University and has spent the greater part of his life serving in the Army; in the U.S. Special Operations both as a Ranger and Sniper Team leader for 3rd Ranger Battalion, and then as a Veterinarian for the 75th Ranger Regiment Headquarters. His interests in veterinary medicine include conditioning, orthopedics, advanced dental/endodontic procedures (such as root canals) and emergency care. He enjoys developing long lasting relationships with his clients and patients. Dr. McPeck has a wide range of veterinary background; he spent a lot of time working with researchers to live-capture primates in both Madagascar and Costa Rica. While he served in the Army, he worked with the Military Working Dogs. Dr. McPeck spent 1 year in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan with the Marine Corps, taking care of the IED detector dogs and receiving MEDEVAC'd canines. He then went back to Special Operations and did multiple deployments to Aghanistan, developed the Ranger Canine Asse, and provided direct medical care for the Ranger Multi-Purpose Canines. Dr. McPeck moved back to Alaska in 2016 with his wife Dr. Sara McPeck and their two young children, as well as a cat and two dogs. In his personal time, he enjoys anything outdoors that will keep him busy. In 2002, he won the local Susitna 100 mile ultra-marathon foot race, and took first place in the Alaska State Sniper Competition. Dr McPeck also has a long history of competing in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and marksmanship. Dr. McPeck recently was hired to train the Park Rangers of Kruger National Park, South Africa in the utilization of canines in the anti-rhino poaching effort.

  Education:

• Dr. Sara McPeck

  Associate Veterinarian, DVM

  Dr. Sara McPeck has had a love of animals since an early age, as she was often found playing at the neighbor's house with their dog. As a child, her ultimate dream was to become a horse jockey, but then at age 7 she decided that she wanted to become a veterinarian instead. Dr. McPeck went to Veterinary School at Mississippi State University, and has also spent a year in Afghanistan as an Army veterinarian, which taught her to remain super calm in stressful situations. Among her extensive knowledge of pet care her interests include wellness care, internal medicine, endodontics and dermatology. She strives to develop long lasting relationships with both her patients and their owners to provide the best quality care from puppy/kitten age through the golden years. Originally from Massachusetts, Dr. McPeck moved to Alaska in 2016 with her husband, her two young children, a cat and two dogs. Cash is their Mississippi mutt, lovingly dubbed the "Eeyore" of the family. Luke is their energetic and goofy Weimaraner. Last but not least is her daughters' best friend, Sinatra the cat, who Dr. McPeck states should really wear a helmet at all times. In her free time, Dr. McPeck enjoys cooking and exploring new recipes from Pinterest with her children, cross fit, running and crocheting.

• Dr. Megan Ware

  Associate Veterinarian, DVM

  While growing up, Dr. Megan Ware remembers her father caring for strays and injured wildlife and knew from that experience that she wanted to be a veterinarian. Dr. Ware moved to Alaska from Idaho along with her husband, Dr. Lucas Ware, and their two goofy dogs. Pete is a pit bull and Gus is a Boxer. Both dogs are considered champion snugglers and always look very dapper dressed in their bow ties. Her medical interests include dermatology, internal medicine, and emergency and critical care. In her free time, Dr. Ware enjoys yoga, hiking, fine arts, knitting, and reading.

• Dr. Lucas Ware

  Associate Veterinarian, DVM

  Dr. Lucas Ware's love of animals was encouraged by being involved in dairy medicine during his childhood. He moved to Alaska in 2016 with his wife Dr. Megan Ware, and their 2 great dogs named Gus and Pete. He describes Gus as a wonderful, yet "crazy" Boxer. Pete is a mixed bully breed he describes as "incredibly sweet". Dr. Ware's medical interests include preventive medicine, along with orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries. An outdoorsman at heart, Dr. Lucas Ware spends his free time fishing, hunting, back country backpacking, and of course- even more fishing!

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  Dr. Vicki Craig

  Associate Veterinarian, DVM

  Dr. Craig grew up with a variety of pets; and since she was young she has held an interest in the care and treatment of all animals. Dr. Craig is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and has over 20 years of experience in working with small companion animals, as well as exotic animals and livestock. Dr. Craig has a special interest in avian, exotics, and wildlife. She is also a member of the National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps (NAHERC). Her goals at VCA Far Country are to continue to broaden her knowledge in all aspects of veterinary medicine. Dr. Craig is "owned" by a dog named Boo, a blue and gold Macaw named Tiko, and two African Gray Parrots named Rocky and Scooter. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, snow-shoeing, and all types of fishing including spinning, fly fishing, and dip netting.

  Education:

• Dr. Tegan Alce

  Associate Veterinarian, DVM

  Dr. Alce became interested in veterinary medicine at a young age. When she was just eight years old, her Shih Tzu was hit by a car and was immediately taken to an emergency clinic; where the staff not only saved her dogs life, but also inspired her to become a veterinarian. Growing up in a military family stationed throughout North America, Dr. Alce has moved at least 20 times in her life, which has given her the opportunity to work with many different kinds of animals and people. She moved to Alaska in 2016, and is looking forward to working "up north" providing excellent customer service and communication to her clients and their "other family members" here at VCA Far Country. Medically, Dr. Alce has interests in soft tissue surgery, abdominal ultrasound, dentistry, farm animal and equine medicine and surgery, and has long term goals of becoming more involved in orthopedic surgery. When not at work, Dr. Alce probably can be found somewhere hiking in the mountains with her Rhodesian Ridgeback named Kira. Kira is championed in conformation and has competed in Rally-Obedience. Dr. Alce also has a 5yr old pinto Oldenburg mare named Izzy, which will also be moving up to Alaska in the spring. Dr. Alce plans to do dressage, hunter/jumper work, and trail riding with Izzy. Horseback riding, traveling, biking, and photography are all hobbies which Dr. Alce enjoys, and now that she is in Alaska, she wants to learn how to cross country ski.