Staff
Judy Karnia, DVM
Veterinarian, Owner
I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, the youngest of eleven children born to a Polish father and German mother. After my twelve years of Catholic education, I attended Northwestern University where I majored in Classics and was captain of the guard for the Northwestern University Marching Band.
I’ve been a practicing veterinarian since 1994 when I graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. As a student at Illinois, I worked extensively with wildlife, holding an assistantship in the college’s Wildlife Ward where I helped rehabilitate injured and ill wildlife such as hawks, kestrels, turtles and raccoons. I also completed an externship at the Cincinnati Zoo, and after graduation, continued to do some veterinary work for the Center for the Reproduction of Endangered Wildlife housed at the Cincinnati Zoo
After graduation, I went into private practice, working at veterinary hospitals in Cincinnati, Oak Park, Illinois and Omaha. For much of this time, I was working as an associate in exclusively feline practices. But in between private practice stints, I also worked as a veterinarian for the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago and the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha.
After bouncing around the Midwest as my husband completed his Ph.D. and worked a few peripatetic jobs, we moved to Scottsdale. We fell in love with Arizona on a trip out to Sedona. When the Nebraska winters decimated our roof for the second year in a row, we decided to pursue our infatuation with Arizona. Now, when I’m not working at the clinic, I can be found hiking throughout this beautiful state. I also enjoy running. I twice completed marathons, but now I have limited myself to much shorter distances and the occasional duathlon. I read a fair amount of contemporary literature in order to understand what my husband does, and enjoy jazz and other live music. Thursday nights I frequently can be found wandering the Scottsdale Galleries at the ArtWalk.
I’m married to Scott Hermanson, a member of the English Faculty at Arizona State University. We have a young daughter, two cats whom you will probably meet at the clinic, and a ball python, whom you may just as well not meet.
My professional life prior to opening the Scottsdale Cat Clinic has given me a wide range of experience in addition to my expertise in feline medicine. I’ve been especially involved in diagnosing and treating geriatric cats. As a practice owner, I’m very committed to keeping myself and my staff updated and educated about the most current state of veterinary medicine.
Jaime Vasché
Veterinary Assistant
Jaime’s from California but has been in Arizona for a while. She received her degree in Conservation Biology from Arizona State University. She’s the proud owner of William, a cat of mysterious origin, and two ferrets. As the Scottsdale Cat Clinic’s first paid employee, she helped lay the groundwork for the smooth operation you will encounter when you visit our practice. As one of our two staff members, Jaime assists Dr. Karnia with procedures and treatments, handles scheduling and invoicing, and keeps the clinic looking good and running efficiently.
Cathy Kang
Veterinary Technician
Cathy comes to us from the human medical profession and now is putting her skills and education to use for the animal kingdom. She received her veterinary technicians AAS degree from Parkland College in Illinois. She now lives in Phoenix with her four cats: Babba, Stubs, Pippi and Tig. As a technician, Cathy also assists Dr. Karnia with treatments and procedures. Similar to a human nurse, she will take your cat’s vital signs such as weight and temperature. She may also help explain certain procedures and treatments before your pet sees a veterinarian.
Scott Hermanson
As the loving spouse of Dr. Karnia, Scott frequently haunts the clinic, helping out here and there by cleaning cages, hammering nails, and helping check in clients and schedule appointments. During the off-hours, he can be found fretting over the accounting books, writing copy for the website, and wearing his Scottsdale Cat Clinic shirt all over the East Valley. During the school year, he can be found at ASU, teaching the next generation how to read and write.
Ciela Hermanson
When on duty, Ciela is our official cat greeter.
Margie and Jasper
Two felines of suspect backgrounds. One shy and reserved, the other nimble and effervescent.
