KOKOPELLI - Key Persons
Dr. Shelby was born and raised in central Missouri in a rural community. She earned her B.S. in Animal Sciences in May of 2013 from the University of Missouri. While there, she was a member of Sigma Alpha professional Agricultural Sorority, president of Pre-Vet Club, as well as competed on the National Livestock Judging Team her junior/senior year. She attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri and graduated in May 2017 with her DVM. She was very active in veterinary school, serving as Class President, President, and co-founder, of the Theriogenology Club (study of reproductive medicine), fundraising chair for the Missouri Mule Team, served as the National American Association of Bovine Practitioners representative for her college, and was involved in American Association of Equine Practitioners club.
Dr. Shelby's passion is comparative reproductive medicine (large and small animals). In her free time, she likes to ride horses, work with cattle, workout, read, and explore her new home state of California. She currently lives with her husband, who is an MD, and their pets (tortoiseshell cat, pembroke welsh corgi, and Basset Hound). Her goal is to one day become board certified in comparative theriogenology. She is very excited to be part of the Kokopelli team and looks forward to continuing to help grow the practice's large animal services!
Originally from Southern California, Anna moved to Davis to attend UC Davis (UCD) where she graduated in June 2021 with her B.S. in Animal Science and a Minor in Education. During her time at UCD she played rugby, interned for research trials studying methane emissions in beef and dairy cattle, and grew her love for Nigerian Dwarf goats volunteering for a local breeder. Anna started as Dr. Shelby's technician at a large animal practice, and is incredibly grateful to her for offering the opportunity to work at Kokopelli Assisted Reproductive Services in 2021.
Now working as the lab technician at Kokopelli, Anna is also continuing cattle research for the university and works as an animal caregiver at local large animal sanctuaries. While developing lab and clinical skills in canine and equine reproduction with Kokopelli, she is considering pursuing an M.S. in Animal Biology before applying to vet school. She hopes to practice livestock medicine and offer nutrition consulting as a veterinarian, but until then she is excited to be learning every day from Dr. Christensen, Dr. Shelby, and the senior technicians!
Memberships
American College of Theriogenologists
American Veterinary Medical Association
American Association of Equine Practitioners
California Veterinary Medical Association
Sacramento Valley Veterinary Medical Association
European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproduction
Puli Club of America
Ducks Unlimited
Pheasants Forever
California Waterfowl Association
Capital Public Radio
Theriogenology is an exceedingly specialized field, with fewer than 400 board-certified theriogenologists worldwide. Dr. Christensen is a respected authority within this elite cohort and among the canine breeder industry, recognized for his clinical expertise and his academic achievements. He's received numerous awards and honors, authored dozens of articles in peer-reviewed veterinary research journals, trained hundreds of veterinarians and veterinary students, and has served in professional specialty organizations.
Dr. Christensen founded Kokopelli in 2017, giving the Northern California breeder community a level of specialized knowledge and skill in assisted reproduction that was previously unavailable in this region.
"We understand the canine and equine reproductive systems from a cellular level on up," he says. "I believe that if Kokopelli can't get puppies or foals for you, no one can. And we don't just produce puppies and foals; we also help improve our clients' programs so that they're breeding healthier dogs and horses."
Prior to founding Kokopelli, Dr. Christensen held posts as senior veterinarian at an Australian equine hospital and clinician at large- and small-animal hospitals at the University of Florida. On the academic side, he has served as an assistant professor at both UC Davis and Iowa State University, and is currently an honorary professor at the Veterinary University in Budapest, Hungary.
He received his DVM degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, completed his residency in theriogenology at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine, and became a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists in 2006. He earned a Master of Science degree in reproductive physiology from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and his undergraduate degree in conservation/wildlife biology from Brigham Young University.
Camilla grew up on a small farm in Northern California where her love for animals of all types was nurtured from a young age. She is particularly interested in dogs and horses. Camilla has raised and trained working lineage German Shepherds for 15 years. Her deep knowledge of the breed has equipped her to compete in the sport of Schutzhund, which tests a dog's tracking, obedience, and protection skills.
Camilla finds canine reproduction fascinating and enjoys being part of the Kokopelli team, helping bring carefully planned and managed breedings to success.
Job Titles:
- Registered Veterinary Technician
Heidi began her veterinary career after graduating from Los Angeles Pierce College with an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology in 2011. She sat for state boards and became an RVT in 2014. She also passed the VTNE in 2020. In her free time, she enjoys wine tasting and adventures to the dog beach in Carmel with her husband and dogs.
Maryann was born and raised in Southern Oregon where she spent every free moment in a barn. Her early years spent riding and doing barn chores fostered her passion for animal care. She spent her teens and early 20's as a working student, then assistant trainer in several horse show barns. Her veterinary assistant career started in 2014 in general practice, she started assisting Dr. Christensen in late 2017 in canine as well as equine reproduction. She is currently enrolled in online courses to become a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).
When she's not at the clinic she enjoys kayaking with her dog and husband, snowboarding, horseback riding, hiking, and photography. Her family consists of her husband, 3 big dogs and her horse.
Renae was born and raised in Central California. Her love for animals started when she was a child. Renae always imagined working with animals and never saw herself doing anything else. Growing up she always enjoyed going to the vet and learning about her own animals.
She first started her animal career by volunteering at a veterinary hospital in 2008. In 2009, Renae started her college education while working at a dog grooming facility. In 2011, she started working in a pet boarding facility at a veterinary clinic. Through dedication and hard work, she was able to transfer over to the veterinary hospital where her dreams truly began. She worked in a general practice veterinary hospital for almost 10 years.
Renae has 4 indoor rescue cats (Mary, Mittens, JoJo, and Sir Pounce) and a stray (G.K.) that adopted her while guarding the garden. Renae also has a Gopher snake, Chickens, Parakeets, and a Pom-Chi that was rescued off the streets.
In her spare time, Renae loves being outdoors whether its camping, fishing, being in the garden, archery, horseback riding, helping family and friends on their ranches, going to the beach, working out and going for walks.
Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
Rosemary has been in the business of helping and trying to save animals for over 20 years. She considers it her passion in life to help our beloved animal family members and their humans. She has worked many positions over the years in the veterinary field, starting as a veterinary assistant and working her way up from there.
Rosemary's favorite part of the job is customer service. She loves getting to know our clients and building a special bond with you and your pet. And while the reproductive field is a new adventure for her, she can already say that she loves it! She finds that helping you extend your program or fur family is incredibly rewarding and she can't wait to fully immerse herself in this field.
"I am very excited to be a part of this team! It's refreshing to be able to say ‘I believe in what we do here' and mean it," Rosemary said.
At home, Rosemary is a wife and a mother to nine kids (five furry, four not) that keep her on her toes. Family is and always has been a huge part of her life.