Our Support Staff
Jesse Gibbons
Veterinary Technician
Originally from Arizona, Jesse received her Veterinary Technology Degree in 2013 from Kaplan College in Phoenix. Since then, she has happily placed roots in Alaska where the climate and community compliments her most.
It has been her lifelong passion and honor to be in the veterinary field, and it shows as she compassionately cares for our clients. (She is often found snuggling and bonding with our patients!) She is hardworking, detailed-oriented and is a master of multi-tasking in every aspect of the hospital. From animal handling to anesthetic monitoring, Jesse is highly skilled. She is integral to managing patient prescriptions and is also an expert on laboratory equipment maintenance.
During Jesse’s time off she enjoys foraging, cooking a tasty meal and going on Alaskan adventures. She also enjoys spending some lazy days at home in her stretchy pants and snuggling with her cat, Mr. Grumpy.
Jordan Barrowcliff, Veterinary Technician
Born and raised on the Kenai Peninsula, Jordan, is a valuable asset to the veterinary community. Her love for animals started at an early age, growing up with dogs and horses. She is an accomplished horsewoman and is on a local equestrian drill team competing in rodeos, barrel racing, pole bending and other events.
A hockey enthusiast, Jordan was a volunteer student coach with the Homer Hockey Association (HHA). Her endless hours of dedication and contributions to our community as a positive role model for young skaters earned her the title of HHA's Student Volunteer of the Year two years in a row as well as the Haven House's Young Woman of Distinction Award in 2023.
Jordan joined the Homer Veterinary Clinic team in 2023 and has rapidly advanced her veterinary skills. Not only is she kind and caring to all of our patients and co-workers, she also masterfully leads our surgical team ensuring the best care of your pets.
Stevie Malaski, Veterinary Technician
Born in Anchorage, Stevie grew up in various places around Alaska. She received a Veterinary Assistant certificate at the Matsu College in 2017. In 2019 she moved to Homer and we are blessed to have her as a team member.
Stevie’s calm and good-natured personality is sensed and received well from our animal patients (she’s a master cat holder!). She is passionate about animal care and making sure clients are well taken care of. Stevie is also our inventory manager and plays a vital role in making sure the clinic is well supplied in order to help your pets’ needs.
When she isn’t busy taking care of her family Stevie enjoys expressing herself with art and being creative! Whether that's sketching, painting, or collages, she’s always working on some project. Walking the beach, baking, and reading are other hobbies she enjoys. She even knows some Japanese!
Ryder Pennington, Veterinary Technician
Ryder grew up watching the Animal Planet/Discovery channel and caring for a household of pets -cats, dogs, fish, frogs and turtles. His veterinary career began in 2015 studying veterinary technology in Jennersville, Pennsylvania. He went on to obtain Penn Foster veterinary technician training, and worked as a veterinary technician for 4 years. In July of 2025, an opportunity of a lifetime emerged and he packed his truck and excitedly moved to Alaska.
Ryder’s calm and caring demeanor is appreciated and sensed by every one around him. (He truly is a dog whisperer and somehow manages to win the trust of our most skeptical canine patients!) He loves meeting and interacting with our clients and making sure their pets are given top-notch care.
Ryder currently owns enough dogs to finish the Iditarod (picture a sheltie, collie, dobie, Belgian Malinois and border collie!) and is relishing the adventurous Alaskan lifestyle along with his girlfriend. In his spare time he enjoys snowboarding and exploring Alaska’s natural beauty.
Gail Cox, Veterinary Assistant
Born in the north and raised in the south, Gail adventured to Alaska with her family and decided to settle down in the beautiful town of Homer. As a child, she always had a passion for animals and would catch lizards to bring home in hopes of keeping them as pets. Although Gail’s mother wouldn’t allow the outdoor lizards, she owned a variety of other animals during her childhood.
Gail graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in Special Education in 2012 from Indian River State College and has had various jobs that helped develop her organization and management skills. She has finally decided to pursue her lifelong dream of working with animals and is currently enrolled in the Penn Foster online Veterinary Technician Program. We are extremely thankful to mentor her and provide her with a veterinary externship.
As a veterinary assistant, Gail embraces the unique challenges each day brings and relishes the opportunity to work with animals and like-minded individuals who share her love and compassion for creatures of all kinds. Her favorite aspect of the job is the unpredictability that each day brings, highlighting the need to be adaptable and creative in order for her to care for each patient.
Gail and her husband have two energetic sons and are embracing the Alaskan lifestyle. Her favorite hobbies outside of work are crafting, enjoying nature, spending quality time with her family and their Quaker Parrot, Kiwi.
Rebecca Nowlin, Veterinary Assistant
Rebecca grew up in a small rural community in Texas and has always loved working with animals. She was valedictorian of her high school class, and went on to complete her B.Sc in Neuro Science at Trinity University in San Antonio.
She has travelled to Costa Rica for small mammal research as well as has volunteered as was a Winged Whale Research intern and Sealife Centre Stranding Response volunteer. Rebecca discovered and fell in love with Homer while she was a Semester-by-the-Bay student at the Kenai Peninsula College, where she still volunteers.
Rebecca is a kind and caring team member, and we are thankful to have her assist with appointments, surgery and provide top-notch animal care. Rebecca is currently applying to veterinary schools where she hopes to someday earn her DVM degree.
Fun fact- she has grow up with multiple dachshunds (she has had 5 at one time!). Currently she enjoys her time with one dachshund, Rosie, and is enjoying the wonderful community of Homer.
Samara Rawls, Kennel Assistant
Samara was born and raised in Alaska and ultimately ended up in Homer where she loves being a part of the community. Growing up, she was blessed to have some sort of pet - ranging from snakes to horses. She is a Great Dane enthusiast and has been fortunate to care for these gentle giants in her home.
From a young age she has aspired to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. It is her dream to be an advocate for animals, providing them with care and making a difference in their lives.
In her spare time Samara enjoys fishing, adventuring outdoors, riding her horses and spending time with her family- both furry and human members!
Jennifer G, Client Services Co-ordinator
Jennifer is the friendly voice on the phone and at our front desk, dedicated to connecting our clients and their pets with the clinic’s team. Across her 25 years in Alaska, she has held leadership roles with various non-profits such as the Pratt Museum, Homer Foundation and Alaska Sealife Center. Jennifer brings decades of professional experience in community engagement, organizational leadership, philanthropy, marketing and communications to her role as the lead client services coordinator. Her life-long love of animals and genuine delight in talking to and helping others is obvious as she endeavors to facilitate the needs of your pet.
In Jennifer's spare time, she enjoys relaxing with her dog Tiptoe, hiking, reading and quiet contemplation of Alaska's natural beauty.
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Sam Sweeney, Veterinary Assistant
Originally from the Midwest, Sam received her Biology degree in Chicago. Her love of animals and adventure resulted in many exciting experiences. She has worked as an intertidal specialist in Southeast Alaska, a whale naturalist in the Caribbean, an animal caretaker at an Australian Wildlife Shelter, a fisheries biologist on the Copper River, and a dog handler for Iditarod dogs!
Although she primarily works for ADF&G in fisheries, we are lucky to have her fill in from time to time at the clinic.
Sam’s passion for veterinary medicine started when working as a veterinary assistant for VCA Chicago in 2016. Two years later, she adventured up to Alaska and after finding Homer, she knew she found her spot!
Sam's strengths lie in her ability to always see the bright side and bring genuine joy to her work. She is empathetic and truly dedicated to giving 100% to every patient that walks through our doors.
When she isn't working you can find her hosting game nights, strolling the beach tide pooling, and baking endless sweets. You can often hear Sam coming up with ideas to live out her dream job of teaching yoga to animals, combining her two biggest passions of yoga and animal care!