VCA Desert Animal Hospital

Bios

• Gail Cutler

  DVM

  Gail Cutler is a Los Angeles native who spent 20 years enjoying the Michigan seasons. She graduated from Michigan State University with both a Masters in Agricultural Economics and a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Although she wanted to be a veterinarian since she was 11 years old, she took a different career path for the first half of her life. She worked for a non-profit agricultural organization in California, and then was an economic analyst with the Michigan Senate. Dr. Cutler has worked at VCA Desert Animal Hospital since 2005, and appreciates the serene beauty of the desert. Her areas of interest are general medicine, internal medicine, dermatology, and geriatrics. She is also an IVAS certified veterinary acupuncturist, and has found it to be a rewarding specialty. When she isn't working, you can find her in her yoga class, hiking, writing (including the "Ask the vet column" for The Desert Sun), or attempting to play golf. Her pets include her dogs Nelly and Quincy, and her cats Orlando, Oliver, and Mamakitty.

  Education:

• Pat Long

  DVM

  Dr. Long is a native of the Coachella Valley. She grew up and has resided in the High Desert area since 1962. Dr. Long graduated from Yucca Valley High School.

  Services:

• Therese Dieringer

  DVM

  Dr. Dieringer is a 1986 graduate of the University of Minnesota Veterinary School. Following graduation she completed a 3-year small animal internal medicine residency at Texas A & M University.

  Education:

• Mindy Byers

  DVM

  Veterinary medicine is a family affair for Dr. Mindy Byers. Dr Byers' identical twin sister is a veterinarian, as is her husband, Dr. Roland Burbank. In addition, her brother-in-law, Rich Rauh, is the veterinary architect who designed and built the current hospital and boarding/grooming facility on Ramon Road in Palm Springs. Dr. Byers enjoys traveling (especially to see wildlife), water sports and reading in her "spare" time.

• Jessica Young

  DVM

  Dr. Young is a Kansas-native. She moved to the Palm Springs area in 2002. Dr. Young's family still resides in Kansas, and she enjoys visiting there on holidays and special occasions. She also enjoys spending time in Colorado where she goes hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, driving on the Jeep trails, or sometimes just relaxes and watches movies.

• W. Douglas Kunz

  DVM

  Dr. Douglas Kunz was born in rural Southeastern Idaho. His summers were spent on the family ranch near Victor, Idaho. It was during those summers that he developed a love of animals and a desire to heal the sick and injured. Dr. Kunz graduated with a Bachelor of Science in August of 1971 from Brigham Young University. He completed a Master of Science in animal nutrition from that same institution in December of 1973. His DVM was obtained from Colorado State University where he graduated in May of 1977. Dr. Kunz has practiced small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Hospital, Inc. in Palm Spring, California for the past 30 years. He was a partner until the sale of the practice to XLNT Veterinary Care, Inc. in September of 2006. Dr. Kunz was also involved in the founding of Animal Emergency Clinic of the Desert and served as president of the board of directors for over 20 years until its sale to XLNT Veterinary Care, Inc. in January of 2007. He has always been very involved in his community and currently serves as president of Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, an organization that supports the shelter and is currently conducting a capital campaign to build a new shelter. He has served on the California State Board Exam Review Committee and currently serves on the Medical Advisory Board for XLNT Veterinary Care, Inc.

  Education:

• Alison Koodrich

  DVM

  Dr. Koodrich grew up in Southern California and pursued her undergraduate training at the University of California at Santa Barbara. She received her veterinary degree from the Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. Shortly after graduation, Dr. Koodrich accepted an associate position with Animal Medical Hospital in 2003, and has joined us again in 2008 after working elsewhere for a year. Her special interests include small animal dentistry and internal medicine. She is dedicated to promoting the animal-human bond through quality patient care and client education. Dr. Koodrich and her husband of seven years have four pet "children"; a pitbull named Maya, a lab named Chance, a boston terrier named Stella and Ernie, the cat. On her off time, Dr. Koodrich enjoys relaxing with a good book and spending time engaged in outdoor activities with her family.

• Randy H. Turek

  DVM

  Dr. Turek has been with the Animal Medical Hospital since 2004. A retired U.S. Army Officer with over 26 years service, Dr. Turek commanded Veterinary Units in Japan, Belgium, Netherlands, and Turkey. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and is a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Dr. Turek is board certified and a specialist in Veterinary Preventive Medicine. His interests include Veterinary Dentistry, Exotic Animal Care, and Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, California Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Dental Forum, and is a United States Department of Agriculture Accredited Veterinarian. His wife of over 28 years, Donna, is an Army veteran as well.

  Education:

• Brittany Yates

  DVM

  Veterinary School: Western University of Health Sciences Graduate School: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Dr. Brittany Yates is a southern California native -born in Northridge, and raised here in Palm Springs. Her love for animals started at a very young age. At 5 years old, for Parent Day in kindergarten, she declared she wanted to be a veterinarian and never strayed from that goal. Dr. Yates has worked for Desert Animal Hospital since she was 15 years old. Dr. Roland Burbank and Mindy Byers were her childhood veterinarians, and she wanted to follow in their footsteps. She volunteered for 1 month, and then was hired on her 16th birthday. She worked here for 6 years as a doctor's assistant and Dr. Marilyn Twitchell's ophthalmology assistant. After graduating Palm Springs High School in 2004, she began her pre-veterinary studies at Cal Poly Pomona. She graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Animal Science and a minor in English Literature. Her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine was earned at Western University of Health Sciences where she graduated in May of 2013. Dr. Yates soon started back at Desert Animal Hospital in June 2013 where she is extremely happy to have come full circle and completed her veterinary education. Her interests include behavioral medicine, ophthalmology, exotic animal medicine specifically pocket pets and avians, and reno-urinary diseases. When she's not working, she is enjoying the company of her menagerie which includes dogs, cats, her Sun Conure Phoenix, guinea pig Mr. Winston Weepers, rats and fish. She is also an avid fiction reader, loves trying new foods and restaurants, and cooking at home. Because of her English literature background, Dr. Yates also loves writing short stories, and hopes to create her own children's picture book series in the future.

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