Our Support Staff
Cody Czer-Ransom,
Licensed Veterinary Technician/Practice Manager, LVT, CVPM
Cody grew up in Redding, California surrounded by nature and animals. In 2010 she received her veterinary technician license from Shasta College in Redding. She has extensive experience working in various emergency clinics and managing a multi-doctor practice.
Cody and her husband moved to Homer in 2015, bringing a wealth of knowledge and organizational skills to the Homer Veterinary Clinic. Cody excels in surgery, anesthesia, emergency medicine and critical care. She provides meticulous and top-notch care to all of our patients. She also has volunteered for World Vets and the Alaska Rural Veterinary Outreach group, and has a special interest in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Cody has also received EMT training and volunteers for the Homer Volunteer Fire Department.
In February 2022, Cody completed an intensive Veterinary Management Practice Program at the Krannert School of Management and successfully passed her certification in August 2024. We are thankful for her knowledge and skills which keep our clinic running smoothly in order to better serve our clients.
During her spare time, Cody enjoys adventuring with her 3-legged pocket pitbull, Drifter. When the weather is rough you can find her enjoying a good pirate book with her cat Sabine.
Jesse Gibbons
Veterinary Technician
Jesse Gibbons received her Veterinary Technology Program Degree from Kaplan College in Arizona. It has been her lifelong passion and honor to be in the veterinary field, and it shows as she compassionately cares for our patients. She is hardworking, detailed-oriented and is a master of multi-tasking in every aspect of the hospital. From animal handling to placing iv catheters to anesthetic monitoring, Jesse is highly skilled.
Originally from Arizona, she has found her roots in Alaska. During Jesse’s time off she enjoys foraging, cooking a tasty meal and going on Alaskan adventures with her boyfriend. She also enjoys spending some lazy days at home in her stretchy pants and snuggling with her cat, Mr. Grumpy.
Jesse is currently pursing her Alaska Veterinary Technician licensing.
Sarah Vanek, Veterinary Technician
Sarah recently adventured to Homer in 2021 with her husband and we are thrilled to have her on our team! Sarah grew up in Vancouver, Washington where she graduated from Prairie High School in 2011 and began working in the human medical field. In 2014, she switched to veterinary medicine, driven by her passion for animals and helping people. She is constantly learning and developing her technician skills to help serve our animal community.
Sarah is extremely multi-faceted and skilled in various areas of the hospital. She is our lead surgical technician and has advanced training in veterinary dentistry. She has also obtained certification in AAHA’s pain management program, anesthesia and nutrition, as well as manages the hospital's prescription food/veterinary diets.
Sarah is Fear Free Certified, and believes that every visit should be a positive experience for both animals and humans. She is a wonderful advocate for all of our furry, feathered and scaled friends.
When she is not busy at the hospital, she enjoys spending time with her husband, cats and two dogs and caring for her myriad of houseplants. Her ultimate dream is to see and hold a koala bear or two!
Megan Tashash, Veterinary Assistant
Megan grew up in Connecticut and spent her free time riding horses and going for hikes throughout New England. While growing up she worked at a veterinary practice and competed in many equestrian events such as dressage, eventing and polo. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and a Masters in Sustainable Environmental Planning and Management.
After college, Megan moved to Sitka, Alaska and began a career in fisheries and aquaculture. Fortunately, she decided to move to Homer in 2021 and pursue her love of working with animals. Megan brings skilled and compassionate care to our patients and clients as a veterinary assistant and has goals of becoming a technician in the future.
Jordan Barrowcliff, Veterinary Assistant
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, and she is very active with an equestrian drill team competing in rodeos, barrel racing, pole bending and other events.
A hockey enthusiast, Jordan volunteers as a student coach with the Homer Hockey Association (HHA) and is a positive role model for young skaters. Her endless hours of dedication and contributions to our community earned her the title of HHA's Student Volunteer of the Year for 2 years in a row as well as the Haven House's Young Woman of Distinction Award in 2023.
Jordan is skilled in various areas of the hospital and we are thankful to have her on our team.
Stevie Malaski, Veterinary Assistant
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 from Wasilla down to Homer and shortly joined the Homer Veterinary upon her arrival. She took a hiatus to be a stay at home mom for awhile but is glad to be back in action as she loves interacting with our clients, patients and co-workers.
Stevie’s calm and good-natured personality is sensed and received well from our animal patients (she’s a master cat holder!). She is an asset to both animal care and client communications.
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.
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!
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!
Andrea McClenning, Client Care Co-ordinator
Andrea was born and raised on a farm in northeast Montana. She attended MSU-Northern and MSU-Billings where she received her bachelors degree in biology. Afterwards, she spent 10 years working in fisheries, wildlife and customer service for Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. Andrea's love of animals eventually led her into the veterinary world. For 5 years she worked as an office manager for an equine surgery and sports medicine clinic before taking the leap of a lifetime by moving to Alaska in the winter of 2023.
At home Andrea has a whippet named Jett and two cats, Keli and Reese. She, along with her husband and two kids are embracing the Alaskan lifestyle -enjoying nature and the outdoors, fishing, boating and barbecues on the patio. In her spare time, Andrea is also a senior portrait photographer.
Andrea brings extensive customer service and administrative experience to the clinic and is always willing to advocate for our clients and pet’s needs with compassion and empathy.
Gaylynn Mertz, Client Care Co-ordinator
Gaylynn is a lifelong Alaskan with an extensive background as a logistics co-ordinator for various federal agencies and research vessels in the Alaskan oilfields. Gaylynn has also worked as a fishing guide, professional photographer, and as a fish technician for ADF&G. (If it has an otolith, she can find it!) An avid traveller, she has been to 31 states and backpacked through South East Asia, Europe, Costa Rica and Mexico.
As a child, her grandmother gave her one of her favorite books, “All Creatures Great and Small”, and she has wanted to work with animals ever since. Although she works primarily on the slope, Gaylynn helps out at the clinic when she can. Gaylynn’s love of animals and empathy for people are instrumental in helping co-ordinate the needs of our clients and their pets.
When not at work, she can be found fly fishing, snuggling up with her cats “2” and “Lo”, or riding her Buckskin Tennessee Walker mare, Chica.