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 large and 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
Registered Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary Assistants
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!