Our Team


General Practice Doctors

Cheryl Dembner, DVM
Dr. Dembner graduated from Tufts University with her DVM degree in 1990. Her internship was completed at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, 1991. Her professional interests include internal medicine and cardiology. Dr. Dembner loves to spend time with her husband and two daughters skiing in Tahoe, biking, camping and shopping! She also shares her life with a sweet yellow lab, Neilah.
Nicola Mohr, DVM
Dr. Mohr completed her DVM degree at the University of California, Davis, in 1996. She worked as a general practitioner in Sonoma before joining Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital in 2001. Her interests include pediatrics, dental medicine, reproductive care, geriatric care, and comprehensive, preventive well-care of dogs and cats. Dr. Mohr's personal interests including hiking with her husband and three dogs and spending time with her cat, Tweety. She is also an avid gardener and the "Head Nurse" for the hospital's "Orchid ICU." She is also active in Greyhound adoption and welfare.

Blake Douglas, DVM
Dr. Douglas obtained his DVM degree from the University of California, Davis in 1999. He completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (Ventura, CA) before joining Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital in 2000. His professional interests include preventive care, internal medicine, soft tissue surgery and ultrasonography. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and daughter. They have a Husky mix named Phineus who is a pet therapy companion for the elderly. Favorite activities include firing up the BBQ, hiking, camping, biking, and various snow and water sports.
 
Alexander Nicki, DVM
(See bio below under Emergency Doctors)  

Specialty Referral Doctors

Nancy Rinkardt, DVM, DVSc,
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Dr. Rinkardt completed her DVM degree at the University of Minnesota in 1993. She completed her internship and residency training at Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada and was a member of the faculty there from 1997-1999 and 2002-2003. Dr. Rinkardt joined Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital in 2003. She is a member of the American College of Veterinary Internists, the California Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Her personal interests include hiking, mountain and road biking, gardening and cooking. The "ingredients" in her life include Olive, a dachshund puppy, Curry, a shepherd mix, and two boisterous orange tabby cats -- Manchego and Orange Crush.
 
Dr. Jay Stone, DVM
Dr. Stone completed his DVM degree at the University of California, Davis, in 1969. His internship was completed at the Animal Medical Center in New York City in 1970, and received residency training in oncology at UC Davis in 1978. Dr Stone practiced at Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital before coming to Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital, where he has been an owner and practicing veterinarian since 1972. Dr. Stone is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, the Veterinary Cancer Society, and the California Veterinary Medical Association. His personal interests include skiing, snowboarding, hiking and bicycling, as well as spending time with his wife, Faye, and their children and grandchildren. His Jack Russell Terrier, Mona, and West Highland Terrier, Max, also keep him busy!
 

 
Nicholas Macy, DVM,
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgery
Dr. Macy completed his DVM degree at University of California, Davis. His internship was completed at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, and he then received residency training at Tufts University. Dr Macy is board-certified in surgery. He has been an owner and practicing veterinarian at Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital since 1998. He enjoys scuba diving, traveling, wine tasting, and spending time with his three children and two cats.
 

 
Nathan Miller, DVM, DACVS
Nathan Miller became a board certified surgeon in 2003. His schooling includes a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a veterinary degree from Colorado State University. His post-doctorate training consisted of an internship at North Carolina State University where he was voted small animal intern of the year and a residency at the University of Georgia. Dr. Miller's professional interests include minimally invasive surgery (arthroscopy, laparoscopy, and thoracoscopy) and he has lectured nationally on these topics. Dr. Miller has worked in the past at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital and Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado, both located in Denver. Dr. Miller is originally from Evergreen, Colorado. He and his wife Christine care for two spoiled dogs, Olivia -- a jack russel terrier and Fred -- a welsh corgi, as well as a thoroughbred named Sweetie. Christine is a software engineer, loves dogs, and enjoys riding horses. Nate likes to cycle, fish, ski, and hopes to learn how to sail. Nate and Christine are excited to be moving to beautiful Santa Cruz.
 

Emergency Doctors

Alexander Nicki, DVM
Dr. Alexander Nicki attained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in Canada in 2001. He then applied and was chosen for an internship at Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital, where he completed rotations in small animal medicine, emergency medicine, and surgery. After completion of his internship program, Dr. Nicki went into small animal emergency practice in Salt Lake City, Utah, at a 24 hour emergency hospital. He returned to Santa Cruz in 2003 to become an associate veterinarian with the emergency service at Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital. His professional interests include emergency medicine and surgery. Dr. Nicki is a member of the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. He spends his free time hiking, running, mountain climbing, and camping and has traveled extensively in Asia, South America, and Europe. Dr. Nicki shares his home with three Border Collies, Ari, Pyro, and Raine.
 

Rachel Horne, DVMRachel Horne, DVM
Dr. Rachel Horne received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida in 2007. She then completed a one-year rotating internship in internal medicine, emergency medicine and surgery at Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center. Dr. Hornes professional interests include critical care, surgery, avian and exotics medicine and wildlife.

Dr Horne enjoys spending time outdoors with her fiance and their two dogs, Nari and Madison.

Deniece Williams, DVM
Dr. Deniece Williams graduated from the University of California, Davis, in 2003 with her DVM degree. She practiced dairy medicine in the Central Valley before relocating to Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital. She is the newest member of our veterinary doctor team, having joined the practice in February of 2008. Her professional interests include emergency medicine and critical care. Dr. Williams spends her free time getting to know her new hometown, hiking, going to movies and the theater, and enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She also loves to spend time with her three cats and one dog.