Dr. Kara Havens

Medical Director

Born and raised in San Diego, Dr. Havens earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from St. George’s University and completed her clinical year at Washington State University. She has special interests in oncology, internal medicine, and geriatric care.

Dr. Kara discovered her passion for animals at a young age and chose to pursue a career in veterinary medicine at 18 after realizing her strong affinity for medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2009, followed by a Master of Public Health (MPH) in 2012 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2013 from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Attending veterinary school in the Caribbean was an unforgettable experience for Dr. Kara, allowing her to develop surgical skills early in her training while also fostering stray animals and helping them find loving homes. She even brought home a dog and cat of her own from the island.

She completed her clinical year at Washington State University, where she cultivated special interests in oncology, anesthesia, internal medicine, and infectious disease control. Throughout her career, and through personal experiences with the health challenges of family pets, she further developed a passion for geriatric medicine, nephrology, and dermatology.

What Dr. Kara enjoys most about veterinary medicine is helping sick and injured pets regain their health while building lasting relationships with both pets and their families. She especially loves celebrating the excitement of new puppies and kittens and improving the quality of life for senior pets.

Outside of work, Dr. Kara enjoys spending time with her partner and their pets—Binx, Blaze, and Billie Sue. She also enjoys family dinners and playdates with her brother’s dog, Winston the Shiba Inu. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, attending Broadway shows, traveling, spending time outdoors, going to church, and supporting the preservation of the Basenji breed.