Our Team
Meet our Veterinary Team!
Get to know our team!
Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Village Vet Clinic! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets! 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. Connie Ganter & Dr. Verne Thacker
Veterinarian
Dr. Verne Thacker and Dr. Connie Ganter are the proud owners of Village Veterinary Clinic – a full-service small animal practice. Both doctors are graduates of the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and purchased the clinic in October 1999 after moving back to Lompoc from Oregon to be closer to family.
They are active members of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Thacker is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and the California Cattlemen’s Association.
Their children Marie, Lexie, and Lucas were frequently seen around the clinic in years past; they are now all college graduates pursuing careers in the veterinary field. Dr. Thacker and Dr. Ganter were both active with local agriculture programs and helped their kids exhibit Black Angus cattle at the Santa Barbara County Fair, as well as pursue their passions in sports, education, and creative endeavors. Donating time and funding to Central Coast organizations has been a family commitment for over twenty years – they have been involved with VIVA, CAPA, LUSD Career Day, Lompoc Valley 4-H and FFA, youth music and theater programs, Shadow’s Fund, and other local rescues. Dr. Thacker was also a coach and referee for youth soccer through AYSO.
Family pets include Murphy the border collie mix, Mabel and Millie the twin Boston terriers, several cats (Mr. Snuffles, Little Man Tate, Ruth Bader Kittensburg, and Evie), Pippa the potbelly pig, Snooki the minihorse, and a small herd of horses, goats, and Black Angus cattle.
Dr. Julie Deter
Veterinarian
Dr. Julie Deter joined the VVC team in 2009 after earning her DVM from University of California, Davis. Prior to attending veterinary school, she graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in Aquatic Biology while working as a research SCUBA diver and lab assistant for the college. She then worked for two years as a veterinary assistant in small animal and emergency clinics in the Santa Barbara area before graduate school. During veterinary school Dr. Deter was involved with the Orphan Kitten Project and fostered neonatal kittens.
Dr. Deter enjoys practicing general medicine with special interests in soft tissue surgery and ultrasound. She has received additional training from the Sound Academy of Veterinary Imaging in abdominal ultrasound as well as basic echocardiography. She treats cats, dogs, pocket pets, and most exotic species.
In her free time Dr. Deter enjoys surfing, snowboarding, and mountain biking with her husband, Erich, and spending time with their four cats (Bane, Imelda, Alfie, and Klaus) and their senior pit bull Charlee.
Dr. Bennett
Veterinarian
Dr. Bennett is originally from western Washington State. She grew up in a family of teachers, and originally attended college with an acting scholarship and intentions to teach abroad. While in college, she was strongly drawn to Veterinary Medicine, particularly small animal practice and preventive care. She has previously worked for 8 years in a small animal practice in Wenatchee, Washington. She was especially interested in teaching science and methods of preventive medicine to the community. She also aided in her clinic’s efforts in working with the local animal shelter to provide quality medicine to any animal in need. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and new baby. As soon as he is old enough, she is hoping to experience many family hiking and camping trips along California’s beautiful central coast and beyond. One of her favorite activities is reading by the campfire. She has 4 cats, “Wyatt”, “Alice”, “Doobie”, and “Gus Gus”, who seem to be enjoying the new tiny human addition to the household.
Dr. Catherine Bristow
Veterinarian
Dr. Bristow received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. She has special interests in public health, wildlife, and conservation, and looks forward to continuing to develop as a well-rounded mixed animal practitioner. Dr. Bristow prides herself on getting to know her clients and patients and doing whatever she can to make their lives healthier and happier. When not caring for animals, Dr. Bristow can be found traveling, sailing, hiking, camping, or baking. Dr. Bristow looks forward to meeting you and caring for your pets.
Dr. Jessica Scherr
Veterinarian
Dr. Jessica Scherr is originally from Great Falls, MT, where she grew up following her veterinary father around the clinic. From a very young age, she knew where her passion was and further pursued her career working in a number of veterinary clinics as a tech. Dr. Scherr then went on to receive her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 2018.
Since graduation, Dr. Scherr has enjoyed working and learning in small animal practices with a special interest in surgeries, including soft tissue and orthopedics. She also enjoys general medicine and preventative care and has experience in K9 reproduction.
You can catch Dr. Scherr and her furry children (Ferdinand, Feliz, Mowgli, and Bagherra) hiking, camping, kayaking, or skiing. Dr. Scherr is eager to join the Village Veterinary team!
MANAGEMENT
Meghan
Hospital Manager
Meghan came to VVC in 2004 and was a veterinary assistant before becoming our Hospital Manager. She grew up in Los Alamos, lived in Santa Barbara, and then came to Lompoc with her husband to raise her two sons. When she’s not watching her sons play sports, she can be found doing house projects and working in her yard, or on the beach in Kauai! Meghan has two French bulldogs, two kitties, two bunnies, two chickens, and one goldfish at home.
Registered Veterinary Technicians
Kristina
Lead Registered Veterinary Technician
Kristina came to VVC in 2011 and quickly became a member of the family. She is an area local and previously worked at the Humane Society before becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician and our technician team supervisor. She loves all things outdoors, including ranching, racing cars, and caring for succulents in her “she-shed.” Kristina’s home menagerie includes her husband, daughter, 2 dogs, 11 cats, 4 goats, 28 chickens, 2 bearded dragons, 16 freshwater fish, 3 ducks, 5 horses, and 1 cow named Bird!
Chelsea
Registered Veterinary Technician
Chelsea is a familiar face on our technician team – she’s been here since 2010. She became a Registered Veterinary Technician after completing the Penn Foster program, and though she is now a local, Chelsea is originally from North Dakota. She appreciates the variety of animals that we treat here at VVC and particularly enjoys nutrition and other aspects of integrative medicine. In her free time Chelsea loves reading, watching movies, home projects, and relaxing with her 2 cats: a sassy orange girl, Ygritte, and a very special little boy named Oscar.
Luis
Registered Veterinary Technician
Luis joined VVC in 2014 with over thirteen years of experience. He has a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona and earned his Registered Veterinary Technician license in 2008. Although he was born in Santa Barbara, Luis grew up in Zacatecas, Mexico, and is now raising his three sons with his wife here in Lompoc. Luis’s specialty is anesthesia and dental procedures. In his free time, he can be found working on his cars and house, horseback riding, and going out with his family. Luis also has 11 lovebirds and 1 crested gecko and says he would love to have a falcon or hawk to train in the future.
Marie
Registered Veterinary Technician
Marie has a long history with VVC as Dr. Ganter and Dr. Thacker’s oldest daughter. She has worked in all positions at VVC over the years but re-joined the team in 2020 as a veterinary assistant after getting her BS in Animal Science from UC Davis. She also attended Allan Hancock’s Registered Veterinary Technician program and earned her technician’s license in December 2022. She has enjoyed working in a variety of practices in the last ten years, most recently in an equine neonatal ICU, but is happy to be back home at VVC. In her spare time Marie can be found with her goats (Babs, Betsy, Claude, and Dobby), her pit bull mix Oakley, or her giant Sulcata tortoise Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Jeff
Registered Veterinary Technician
Jeff joined the VVC family in 2011 and is currently a Registered Veterinary Technician. He also has a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from UCSB and likes to spend time at the beach with his rescued pit bull Bram. Jeff is also a talented landscape photographer and volunteers at the local rescue Shadow’s Fund in his free time.
Veterinary Assistants
Michelle
Vet Assistant
Michelle has been with VVC since 2009 as a veterinary assistant. She grew up in Lompoc and previously worked as a substitute teacher. She is our resident expert in gardening and DIY-ing, and frequently feeds the staff with her excellent cooking. She loves hiking and all things Disney, as well as her dog Samba, and is a second mom to Dr. Ganter’s black lab mix Murphy.
Amanda
Vet Assistant
Amanda joined us in 2022 after attending Allan Hancock for her associate degree in Biology and completing the Registered Veterinary Technician program. She plans to take her license exam this year and likes to learn from the wide variety of pets seen at VVC. Amanda is a Lompoc local and enjoys hiking, reading, taking dance classes, and spending time with her family, including her young daughter. She loves all animals and has been vegan for five years and counting. She has a kitty, Rowan, and a 10-year-old cockatiel named Pepper.
Shyanne
Shyanne has been with us since 2018 as a veterinary assistant. She completed the Allan Hancock Registered Veterinary Technician program in 2020 and is hoping to take her license exam soon, as well as get her certification in Fear Free handling. Shyanne loves to travel and be active outdoors and her favorite part of working at VVC is continuing to learn new skills and growing her relationship with our patients. She lives in Lompoc with her husband and rescue pets: a spicy kitty named Sully and the sweetest pit bull mix named Rowan.
Ashley
Vet Assistant
Ashley joined us in 2024 after getting her certificate in veterinary assisting from Allan Hancock College and working at other local clinics. She loves to travel and would one day like to get her Registered Veterinary Technician license. Ashley has 2 boys and enjoys spending time with her family locally, visiting family in Los Angeles, and helping her partner run his business. She also loves ice cream and has a terrier mix named Mia.
Alexis
Vet Assistant
Alexis became part of the team in 2024 after completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science with a minor in Biology at Cal Poly SLO. She has prior experience as an assistant in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory and in a wildlife health laboratory, and her favorite things about VVC are the wonderful team, kind clients, and of course the pets! Alexis has also been a volunteer with The Marine Mammal Center and has helped rescue and rehabilitate seals and sea lions. She is from an Air Force Family but is settled in Lompoc and considers herself a local. Alexis will be applying to vet school soon and hopes to travel every chance she gets. Her husband is a botanist and they love hiking and backpacking to appreciate all the beauty of California and the Central Coast, as well as painting, cooking, and attending theatre shows. She has a rabbit named Henry and two cats Willow and Meeko.
Tonya
Vet Assistant
Tonya has been with us since 2022 – she started on the boarding side of VVC and has since transitioned into a multi-talented veterinary assistant. She is a local to the Santa Ynez Valley, “the best place to grow up,” and has experience with personal training and has worked for the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society. She is fur mama to her two pitbulls Ava Rozzlyn and Natash and has a beta fish named Rainbow. Tonya loves being active outdoors, gardening, bird watching, and spending time paddle boarding with her dogs at the beach while her husband fishes. Her favorite things about VVC are being supported by like-minded people and building relationships with clients and their pets!
Sarah
Veterinary Assistant
Sarah is a veterinary assistant and she joined us in 2021. She has prior experience in boarding and grooming management and grew up in West Virginia and Alaska. She has completed the Allan Hancock Registered Veterinary Technician program and hopes to take the license exam and transition into a medical role in the future. In her spare time Sarah loves watching movies, doing projects around the house, and hanging out with her 6 cats: Gladys, Gypsy, Joy, Jin, Jade, and Federico Arturo. She swears by Oreos dipped in orange juice and says don’t knock it til you try it!
Karla
Veterinary Assistant
Karla joined us as a veterinary assistant in November 2024 with her wealth of experience and passion for animal care. She is a Lompoc native with an AA in Liberal Arts from Allan Hancock College and completed the Veterinary Technology Program there. She comes to us with over six years of experience in emergency medicine and two years in shelter medicine. Karla loves VVC for the kind and welcoming team environment and is excited to continue her professional journey by obtaining a Registered Veterinary Technician license. She shares life with her fiancé, young son, and two Chihuahuas, Sophie and Kobe, and loves cooking/baking, weightlifting, and spending time outdoors with her family. Fun fact: Karla was born on National Dog Day, so she says veterinary medicine has always been her destiny!
Client Service Representatives
Crystal
Customer Service Representative
Crystal came to VVC in 2011 with previous experience in clinics and the Humane Society. She grew up in Santa Ynez and San Diego and has been in the veterinary industry for 23 years – previously as an assistant and now in client services. In her free time Crystal loves travelling to anywhere with a beach and enjoys reading, hiking, camping, and a good root beer freeze. At home she has Shya, an American Staffordshire terrier, and Chief, an American pit bull terrier.
Deanna
Lead Customer Service Representative
Deanna joined VVC in 2015 after getting her certification as a medical assistant and working as a veterinary receptionist for a decade. She is a Lompoc local with two kids and hopes to travel to Europe and Hawaii in the future. Deanna loves refurbishing furniture, hiking, strength training, and watching movies. She has 3 dogs at home: Euro the Staffordshire terrier, Mia the chihuahua mix, and Cosmo the Shih Tzu.
Emma
Rosey
Client Service Representative
Rosey joined us in 2022 as a client services representative after working in the industry locally for almost 20 years. At VVC she loves learning new things, meeting new people and pets, and her co-workers. She enjoys walking in the mission, watching documentaries, and spending time with friends and family, including her daughter who is her “mini-me.” She has a kitty named Winter, 2 Silkie chickens named Pinecone and Cotton, and a rabbit named Pedro. Rosey hopes to win the lottery in the future so she can build a petting zoo with wombats and capybaras!
Connie
Client Service Representatives
Connie joined our reception desk in 2022. She grew up in Lompoc, obtained an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts, and has been back in the area for many years working at local vet clinics. Connie loves having the opportunity to help people get on the right track with their new pets and keep all their furry family members healthy and happy. In her spare time, she enjoys good TV, travelling, and bonding with her new rescue Maya, a one year old Rhodesian Ridgeback/Mastiff Mix. Connie’s favorite dessert is white cake with a good chocolate buttercream!
Butters
Clinic Cat
Butters joined the VVC family in 2014 after being caught as a stray in Cebada Canyon. He quickly won our hearts with his loving personality and instead of being rehomed he became our Mental Health Supervisor. He can usually be found lounging in towels fresh out of the dryer or stealing Cheez-its from his coworkers. He loves a good deep tissue massage, but he does not like personal space or dieting. Nothing fixes a bad day faster than a hug from Butters!
Mariesa
Vet Assistant / CSR
Mariesa joined our team in 2022 as a CSR and vet assistant. She is a Lompoc local who is passionate about the veterinary field and completed the Allan Hancock veterinary program this year. She hopes to become a Registered Veterinary Technician in the future. Mariesa appreciates the fast-paced and professional environment here at VVC and has 3 pets: Cooper the cat and Juno and Abby who are terrier mixes. In her time off she enjoys spending time with family, cooking, music, and film photography. She hopes to travel to Puerto Rico soon to visit her family and take more art courses at Allan Hancock.
Boarding
Cheyenne
Boarding
Cheyenne came to boarding in 2019 after working as a pet sitter. She says her favorite aspect of working at VVC is the staff’s shared love and deep-rooted passion for animals and being able to change their lives for the better. She is working on finishing her associate degree and then hopes to become an ultrasound technician specializing in obstetrics and start her own family. When Cheyenne isn’t loving on our patients here, she can be found hanging out with her family and pets, shopping with her mom, taking dance classes, and watching the latest scary movies. She also loves Halloween and looks forward all year to dressing her fur babies for the occasion. At home she has five cats (Toby, Lily, Kiara, Violet, and Dutchess), two dogs (Max and Gunner), and a hedgehog named Penelope!
Mary
Boarding
Mary has been on our boarding team since 2022 and likes getting to know the different animals here and taking care of them. She grew up in Lompoc and attends Allan Hancock majoring in early childhood studies with the goal of being a teacher. She likes going to concerts and hanging out with friends and hopes to visit Greece one day! Mary has four cats named Brave, Sky, Sunday, and Pearl.