Dr. Kaila Helmer

 Kaila Helmer, DVM

 Education: University of California, Davis – School of Veterinary Medicine (Small Animal Track) 2011

 University of California, Santa Cruz class of 2007, B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Special Interest: Exotic animal medicine and surgery, acupuncture, hospice care and geriatric medicine.

Experience:10 years as a veterinary assistant for various animal hospitals and shelters in California

Pets: 2 cats named Bender and Eko

Hobbies: Hiking, camping, mountain biking and being outside.

Memberships: American Veterinary Medical Association, California Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Phi Zeta Lambda Honor Society

 Most children have a vague fantasy of what they want to be when they grow up: fireman, ballerina, princess, superhero….  For me, when asked this question, my prompt answer was always “veterinarian”.   When I was 3 or 4 years old I had one of those bouncy horses, complete with the plastic saddle and reins.  I also had the plastic doctor’s bag supplied with a stethoscope, syringe and reflex hammer.  In the morning I would head into the backyard, fill a plastic pail with grass pulled from our mowed lawn (I’m sure my parents appreciated this) and placed the pail around my horse’s neck.  I would then go about my business, examining my horse, giving some unknown injection and playing doctor.  I was deep in the fantasy that I was just like Dr Dolittle, talking to my animal patients.

Throughout my childhood I enjoyed dance and theatre, but the science of medicine and the care of animals was where my true passion lay.  When I was 14 I began volunteering at the local Animal Shelter in Santa Cruz, where I grew up.  By law you had to be 14 to sign the waivers to be allowed to interact with the animals, so when I tried to volunteer in junior high, I was promptly turned away.  After a day of high-school I would walk a short mile over to the shelter and spend a few hours socializing the adoptable dogs and cats.  It was during this time that the reality of the human-animal bond was truly solidified for me.  Hearing the stories of how many of the animals wound up in the shelter was heartbreaking, often not only for the animals but for the people who were unable to continue caring for their companions, frequently for reasons beyond their control.

During high-school I focused my studies on science and math, with the goal of veterinary school in my future. At 18 I began working at a small, family atmosphere veterinary hospital.  We saw dogs, cats, birds, lizards, snakes, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters…. Pretty much anything a person might keep in their home, and some things that maybe they shouldn’t.  I loved the variety of medicine this required me to learn.  Following high-school I attended UC Santa Cruz and earned a bachelors degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.  Throughout these four years I was lucky enough to continue working and learning at the veterinary hospital, where the team player atmosphere and focus on educating the staff allowed me to expand my knowledge and skills working with a wide variety of animal species.  Fortunately, I was accepted to UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine following my undergraduate education and the rest is history!

I feel very lucky to have found Keauhou Veterinary Hospital to begin my career.  The family atmosphere, attention to detail and degree of care given to both the animal patients and the human clients is top quality. Over the years working in a small animal hospital and throughout my education at UC Davis I have developed an appreciation for the skill required to develop lasting relationships, provide high quality medical care, and communicate my medical knowledge in a relatable manner to everyone.  I look forward to serving the community and caring for your pets!