Our Doctors:

Bio: John J. Haburjak

Dr. John Haburjak graduated from UC Davis Veterinary School in 1993 with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree.  He practiced as a general practitioner in Northern California for 5 years before returning to academics to complete a combined surgical residency program in San Diego and the University of Illinois.

Dr. Haburjak is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons; and his research interests include orthopedic trauma and disorders of the carpus.  He has presented his research data at several annual conferences. He has several publications in the Veterinary Orthopedic and Traumatology Journal, Journal of Small Animal Practice and the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.  His clinical surgical interests include surgical oncologic procedures of the face, head and neck, corrective orthopedic procedures and neurosurgery (spinal).

Dr.  Haburjak’s hobbies include SCUBA diving, Oakland A’s baseball, road cycling and cooking (not to mention eating, too!).  He shares his life with his wife, Aimee (also a veterinarian), daughter Eva, Calvin (many-toed, Siamese cross) and Noelle (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel).

Bio: Kimberly R. Carlson

Kimberly Carlson graduated from the University of Illinois in 2001, completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center of New York, and a surgical internship at the Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center. Her surgical residency was completed at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine before finding Northern California as her home. Dr. Carlson is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeon and her clinical interests include orthopedic surgeries such as the tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA), tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) and total hip replacement (THR), as well as neurosurgery and urogentital surgery.

Dr. Carlson's personal interests include SCUBA diving, jogging and weight training. She is an avid and knowledgeable collector of antique and vintage movie posters, particularly film noir and science fiction. She has a special love for German Shepherds and lives with one, Rayne, as well as Jax, a pit/lab cross, four cats, Butch, Jaques, Buddy and Mac and, lastly, a new husband, Greg, who is resigned to his status in the pecking order.

Bio: Heather A. Towle, DVM

Dr. Heather Towle graduated from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003 with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree. She was subsequently accepted into the University of Illinois Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Rotating Internship program. Upon completion, she returned to Purdue University to complete a Small Animal Surgical Residency.

Dr. Towle is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeon whose research interests include congenital orthopedic deformities and joint mobility enhancing diets. She has publications in the Veterinary Orthopedic and Traumatology Journal, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Surgery Journal, and Journal of Small Animal Practice. Dr. Towle has been awarded the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Award of 2007 and the Veterinary Orthopedic Society Surgeon-in-Training Award. Her clinical surgery interests include thoracic surgery, angular limb deformities, and soft tissue reconstruction surgery.

Dr. Towle's hobbies include running, walking with her energy-filled Golden Retriever, and reading. She shares her life with her beloved Golden named Alexis and her kitty named Bug.