Dr. Alexa Karkula grew up locally in Sanger, CA and spent her early years competing in rodeo, playing volleyball, and spending time on her family’s ranch. Dr. Karkula’s family has always been surrounded by animals small and large, including horses, cattle, goats, dogs, and cats. This lifelong connection to animals helped form her future as a veterinarian. 

Dr. Karkula attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where she rodeoed for four years and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. After graduating Cal Poly, she attended the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana- Champaign, IL. Once graduated, her family, horses, and Abby Pet Hospital brought her back to the West Coast.

In Dr. Karkula’s free time she enjoys taking her dog, Jax, to the family ranch to ride horses and feed cattle. She also competes in weekend barrel races on her horse, Wilson, along with many others. 

Dr. Karkula’s favorite part about veterinary medicine as a whole is the ability to not only help take care of animals, but the opportunity to create wonderful relationships within the community at the same time. Dr. Karkula takes a special interest in working with shelters and rescue groups. She plans to volunteer locally and travel internationally to provide care to animals in underserved communities. In the hospital, Dr. Karkula loves seeing dachshunds and working breed dogs; they always put a smile on her face!