Dr Rod Gilger is a 1988 graduate of UC Davis school of Veterinary Medicine. He is a ‘third’ generation veterinarian, his grandfather Duke, was the fix em man in Kansas. Rod’s father, Dr Arthur Gilger, owned Hillsdale Animal Hospital in the San Mateo . Rod has worked over 38 years in veterinary medicine. Starting as a kennel boy in his fathers practice and getting a vet tech license when they became available. Rod was working as an ER tech in the bay area while getting a BS degree in zoology from UC Davis. As a DVM he was an associate at Folsom Veterinary Hospital ( where he met Dr Joe), an ER Doctor at MLPEC Inc., and now a day practice doctor. Rod enjoys surgery and diagnostic challenges.
Dr. Gachowski is a 1989 graduate of UC Davis. Dr Joe was raised on a farm in a rural upstate New York community. This is where he developed his love for animals and desire to help them. He was often asked to look at family and neighbors small animals that needed help as the veterinarians there were often just used to look at livestock. After graduating from Clarkson University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Dr Joe enjoyed a brief successful career in that field. He then decided it was now or never to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian. He left New York and enrolled into San Jose State University to pursue a masters in toxicology while taking the required course work needed to obtain admissions into UC Davis. During this time he was employed by Lockheed doing toxicology related work and SJSU teaching upper division physiology labs. He has always felt his diverse background has help him in the field of veterinary medicine. Dr Joe received his DVM degree from UC Davis and 1989 and became business partners with Dr Rod in 1992. His special interests are in helping the senior patient and client. Most of Dr Joe’s free time is involved taking care of his family of rescue animals, currently over 20, and their special needs. He also enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and spending time with his wife of over 25 years, Peggy.
Dr Starr was born in Texas and raised in rural Nebraska and Nevada. She learned early to appreciate the land and animals in those farming communities. When she was a kid her parents decided to breed and raise golden retriever field dogs. This was just one of her life’s events that inspired her to work with animals when she grew up. She has been an equestrian since she was about 10 years old and is still an avid rider.
After graduating from Carson High School she completed her BA in biology at San Francisco State University while supporting herself by working as a veterinary technician. She then went on to study veterinary medicine and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis graduating in the same class of 1988 with Dr Rod Gilger.
After completing her studies in veterinary medicine at UC Davis she owned and ran a small animal hospital in the Sierra foothills. She sold this practice in 2006 and came to work for Dr Rod and Dr Joe in 2007.
She loves Pet Vets dedication to excellent patient and client care and is still excited to be part of their team.
Interesting fact: did you know that Veterinary Doctors spend one more full year at Vet school compared to a medical Doctor? The reason: Vets have to spend more time diagnosing, and to our knowledge, pets can’t answer the doctor’s questions!
