Dr. Dennis Hacker
Dr. Dennis Hacker graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, College of Veterinary Medicine, in 1978. He practiced in small animal veterinary practices in Illinois and Virginia from 1978 to 1983. During this time, he increased his understanding of systemic diseases of veterinary patients. In 1983, Dr. Hacker began an intensive 3 year residency in veterinary ophthalmology at the University of California-Davis. This program was comparable to that performed by a physician in a human ophthalmology residency. In 1986, Dr. Hacker was extensively tested by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (A.C.V.O.) and successfully passed his board certification examination. Dr. Hacker is one of only 350 ophthalmologists certified by the A.C.V.O. in the world. Members of this elite veterinary specialty board are located throughout major metropolitan areas in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Norway and Australia. Dr. Hacker was an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Veterinary Anesthesiology and Surgery at the University of California-Davis until 2009. Dr. Hacker's expertise is in diagnosis and surgery of the eye including microsurgery and cataract surgery. Dr. Hacker has written over 20 publications. He has given over 100 lectures to Veterinary Associations throughout the United States and at U. C.-Davis. He has reported on new and innovative surgical techniques to his colleagues in the A.C.V.O. He frequently lectures at the University of California-Davis. Veterinarians from the United States, Japan and Europe, as well as veterinary students from throughout the United States and Brasil, visit this practice to learn new techniques and update their skills in treatment of ocular disease.
Dr. Mitzi Zarfoss
Dr. Mitzi Zarfoss grew up on the east coast in Pennsylvania and graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2000. She developed an interest in ophthalmology while studying for her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (2000-2004) and ultimately received the student ophthalmology award prior to graduation. She proceeded to the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital to complete a small animal internship practicing all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery (2004-5). Dr. Zarfoss was invited to spend the next year studying pathology of animal eyes (autopsies of the eye) at the University of Wisconsin in Madison with one of the pioneers of veterinary ophthalmic pathology, in order to understand animal eye disease more fully (2005-6). She then completed a clinical ophthalmology internship with three veterinary ophthalmologists at the Angell Animal Medical center in Massachusetts from 2006-7. Dr. Zarfoss was accepted into a three-year residency in Comparative Veterinary Ophthalmology at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (2007-2010) and concurrently earned her Master’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine. She successfully completed the challenging five-part board certification examination of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 2010. Dr. Zarfoss has lectured extensively to fellow ophthalmologists, veterinarians, and veterinary students since 2005. Dr. Zarfoss strives to develop quality relationships and communication with pet owners and veterinarians in order provide the best possible care to patients. On a personal note, Dr. Zarfoss recently moved to the Bay area and is happily exploring with her new husband Chris and their two dogs Lucy and Clark (pictured).
Ralph Gauna, Veterinary Assistant
Ralph is a very personable employee. Whilst living in the Philippines, Ralph was a part-time veterinary student and a kennel owner. Ralph has a great experience with small animals and has rapidly learned the intricacies of veterinary ophthalmology.
Nancy Williams, Veterinary Assistant
Nancy has almost 18 years of experience in Veterinary Medicine. She volunteers with her dog Dorry in the community visiting people in need.
Margaret Sidells- Veterinary Assistant
Margaret is a graduate of UC Davis, where she studied animal science and
Botany. She has been a veterinary
assistant for five years and is in the process of applying to veterinary
school. She is also a volunteer at Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue,
where she is a foster parent for injured and orphaned baby squirrels.
