Our Team

I grew up here in Phoenix from the age of three. After high school, I joined the Navy for six years. I was stationed in South Carolina for two years and served onboard a submarine based out of Pearl Harbor for the remaining four. After that, I came back to Arizona to obtain my bachelors degree at University of Arizona in Tucson, where I met my wife. During school, I was also working full time at an emergency and specialty practice there. I then accepted an offer to attend Midwestern University - College of Veterinary Medicine in Glendale where I graduated in 2019.

I was born and raised in Arkansas. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Equine Science from the University of Arkansas (Woo Pig!) and went on to complete my veterinary education at Midwestern University. During veterinary school, I tracked mixed animal medicine, driven by a strong love for large animals, but ultimately found my passion in small animal care, focusing on cats and dogs. My professional interests include soft tissue surgery and preventative medicine, and I enjoy building long-term relationships with clients to help keep their pets healthy throughout every stage of life. 

Outside of work, I stay busy spending time with my son, cheering him on at baseball games and tournaments. I also enjoy horseback riding, going to the lake, wakeboarding, camping, and hiking. At home, I share life with my charcoal Labrador, Dally, who is always “living her best life.” I look forward to meeting you and providing compassionate, high-quality care for your pets.

I was born in Colorado but have spent most of my life in Arizona where my passion for veterinary medicine began early. I worked as a veterinary assistant for nearly ten years before pursuing my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, which I earned from Midwestern University in 2024 after completing my undergraduate studies locally at Glendale Community College.

My clinical interests include canine medicine, pain management, orthopedics, surgery, and preventive wellness care. I also have a soft spot for our frosty faced seniors and am dedicated to advancing my skills in geriatric medicine–because they’ve earned their quirks, soft beds, slow-going zoomies, and I love helping them feel their best as they age gracefully.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, traveling, running, binge-watching shows, and attending concerts. At home, I live with my husband, Michael, and our two dogs who very much shape the household dynamic: Petunia, our sassy senior Staffy who
rules the home with queenly authority, has perfected the art of dramatic sighing and believes treats should be a universal right; and Knox, our wildly energetic and undeniably handsome Rottweiler who operates on one (deeply enthusiastic) brain cell–yet somehow convinces everyone he meets that he’s the star of the show.

I look forward to meeting and partnering with you to provide exceptional care for the pets who brighten your world!

Dr. Nicole Spagnolo grew up in Murrieta, a small town in southern California. She started her academic career at community college and then transferred to receive her bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of California, Davis in 2017. Throughout undergraduate and veterinary school, she worked as a vet assistant to build experience in the field. She graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA on May 20, 2022.

 Outside of the clinic, she enjoys cooking and baking new recipes, traveling, boating, and hanging out with her husband and 2 dogs, Ella and Maverick, a golden retriever and husky mix.

Dr. Hunker was born and raised in Georgia, where she was immersed in the natural world from an early age, fostering a deep curiosity for animals and the outdoors. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of West Florida, where her love of wildlife and conservation grew into a strong passion for animal health and welfare. This ultimately led her to pursue veterinary medicine and earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Midwestern University. There, she built a strong foundation in mixed general practice and developed the skills needed to care for a wide variety of species.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Hunker is a musician and outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys playing the violin and guitar, singing, hiking, swimming, camping, paddleboarding, and scuba diving. At home, she shares her life with Winter and Hampton, two spirited Border Collies; Ghost, a curious Bengal mix; and Milo, a mellow Super Spark Banana Ball Python.

Dr. Hunker is continually inspired by the connections she forms with animals and their owners and strives to be a compassionate, skilled, and forward-thinking veterinarian. Through preventive medicine and innovative treatment approaches, she hopes to make a positive impact on both individual patients and the community as a whole. Dr. Hunker brings a diverse range of experience to her practice, having treated species ranging from exotic animals—including stingrays, sea lions, beluga whales, African lions, and elephants—to more familiar companions such as dogs, cats, horses, cattle, goats, and chickens.

Dr. Hunker looks forward to meeting you and your companion and building a lasting relationship based on trust, compassion, and exceptional care.

Jennifer grew up on the East Coast, spending her early years in New York and Massachusetts before moving to Arizona with her family in 1998.  She attended Bay Path College in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education.  Her lifelong love of animals led her to begin her veterinary career in 2003, a field she has been passionate about ever since.  

Jennifer's home is happily filled with her six beloved fur-kids: Bean, Finn, Wiley, Odie, Trooper all chihuahua mixes and Charlie, a chocolate lab.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, family and friends.  She has a strong passion for travel and loves exploring new destinations, especially those that include plenty of "toes in the sand" time.  Recently scuba certified, she is looking forward to spending as much time in the water as possible.  Sharks are her ultimate fascination, and recently she fulfilled her lifelong dream of swimming with them, not behind glass, not in a cage, in the open ocean.  Slipping into the water with these apex predators felt like slipping into another world.  Silent. Powerful.  Surreal.  And she can't wait to do it again!