You’re in Good Hands

Nursing Care and Client Service Team

Veterinary nurses (also called “technicians”) play a vital role in the care, safety, and comfort of every hospitalized patient. As in a human hospital, these skilled professionals interface closely with patients and doctors, ensuring that each patient receives expert attention around the clock. We are very proud of the team of caring and highly-skilled veterinary nurses on our staff; we believe they provide the finest level of care available.

Our skilled and compassionate client service team understands the challenges of caring for a sick or injured pet. These talented individuals have elected to work in the veterinary field because they, too, are “animal lovers.” Their goal is to help you and your pet through a difficult time by providing consistently friendly and efficient service.

Dr. Chris Shacoski is a SPEC owner and Hospital Director. He received his veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 1993. After three years in small animal general practice in the Eastern U.S., he and his wife, a veterinary specialist in reproduction, relocated to California. Chris began working as an emergency veterinarian in 1996 at Veterinary Emergency Services (VES) in Fresno, where he spent two years. While at VES Chris had the opportunity to work closely with veterinary emergency and critical care specialists, including Dr. Roger Gfeller. Chris then returned to small animal general practice for two years before joining the Bay Area Veterinary Emergency Clinic (BAVEC), where he served as both a staff emergency doctor and as a co-practice manager prior to joining SPEC. He is a member of the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society. Chris’ primary professional interests are in emergency and critical care medicine, strategic planning, and practice innovation. His hobbies are soccer, fly-fishing, hiking, reading, and many sports.

Dr. Ilsi Medearis is the head staff veterinarian of SPEC. Ilsi grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine In 1990. She initially worked as an equine practitioner in Portola Valley, CA before joining the Peninsula Humane Society as staff veterinarian and also working part-time as an emergency veterinarian in San Francisco. Ilsi moved back to the Davis area in 1992 and began working at SPEC as a full-time emergency veterinarian. She became the managing veterinarian at SPEC in 1993, and has remained on staff since. Ilsi is a member of the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society. In addition to her passion for emergency practice, Ilsi is a very active horse owner and equestrian competitor, participating in show jumping and dressage.

Dr. Scott Cox is a full time staff veterinarian at SPEC. He received his veterinary degree from Michigan State University in 2000, after which he spent one year in a busy multi-doctor general practice in Michigan. He then continued in general practice in Denver, Colorado for the following 2 years. During that time, he focused on developing his skills in internal medicine, surgery and nutrition. Scott then transitioned into emergency and critical care medicine for 2 years in Colorado, working closely with internal medicine and surgery specialists. He joined SPEC in 2005 to pursue his primary area of professional interest – emergency medicine; he is a member of the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society. Scott and his wife Shea, also an Emergency veterinarian, reside in the east Bay Area with their two dogs, Bauer and Dharma. Scott is an avid rock climber and cyclist, and also enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

Dr. Nancy Ramsey is a part-time staff emergency doctor at SPEC. She graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. Upon graduation, Nancy worked in general practice at Oak Animal Hospital for three years before leaving to start her own mobile small animal practice. In addition to working in her busy mobile practice, she also worked part-time for Family Pet Hospital for several years prior to joining SPEC in 2000 to pursue her interest in emergency and critical care medicine. Nancy hold a private pilot’s license and enjoys flying, reading, and spending time with her pets and family.

Dr. Debbie Morey, an emergency and critical care specialist, works part-time on-site at SPEC and also serves as a consultant and medical advisor to SPEC’s entire staff of doctors and nurses. The desire to be a veterinarian is one of Debbie’s earliest memories. She obtained her DVM from UC Davis in 1992. After graduation she completed a year-long internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Sacramento Animal Medical Group. Debbie then moved to Fresno for a year of intensive emergency and critical care experience at the Veterinary Emergency Service before returning to Sacramento to head up the emergency department at the Sacramento Animal Medical Group for the next four years. In 1998 Dr. Morey embarked on a residency training program in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care while also working at several busy emergency practices and raising two children. In 2005, she successfully passed the rigorous examination to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Debbie’s professional interests include shock resuscitation, critical care monitoring, nutrition, wound management, and training veterinarians and technicians in critical care techniques. When off duty, she enjoys spending time with her husband Trevor and their 2 boys, 2 dogs, and 5 cats. She also enjoys downhill skiing, running, hiking, and wine-tasting.

Laurie Davis is SPEC’s Technical Supervisor and Practice Manager. In addition to her years of “hands on” training as a veterinary technician and then manager, she has also completed coursework at the American Animal Hospital Association’s School of Veterinary Practice Management in Colorado. Early in Laurie’s career she was active in real estate and worked for many years in property management in the San Francisco east bay area. Based on her longstanding fondness for animals, she transitioned into the veterinary field, working at a small animal hospital in the Napa Valley prior to joining SPEC in 1996. Since that time she has developed her management expertise while also remaining active as a skilled veterinary nurse. Laurie is now responsible for all day-to-day hospital operations. She lives in Fairfield with her partner, Dr. Mark Doverspike (a surgical specialist in mobile practice). Laurie also oversees a busy home that includes 4 dogs, 3 cats, and one horse. She enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing in Baja, kayaking, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and dirt bike riding.

Brenda Pane is SPEC’s Administrative Coordinator, overseeing many aspects of the hospital’s business operations, as well as those at SPEC’s “sister hospital,” the Pet Emergency Treatment Service in Berkeley. Brenda has many years of experience in the veterinary management field, having worked in both general and emergency/specialty practice prior to joining SPEC/PETS. In 2004, Brenda obtained an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration. Brenda was attracted to the veterinary field due to her compassion for animals. She has volunteered regularly at an animal shelter since 1993 and at a feral cat spay/neuter clinic since 2003. Her hobbies include softball, soccer, attending professional sports, and spending time with family and friends. Brenda’s animal family includes two dogs and one cat.