Our Veterinarians
Dr. Jennifer Bando, B.Sc., DVM
Originally from Canada, Dr. Jennifer Bando received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph and graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2001. She practiced in northern Ontario at a mixed animal clinic before joining the Homer Veterinary Clinic in 2006, and has worked with all kinds of creatures, from rodents to race horses to elephants. She is known to love herding breeds and old cats! She is dedicated to providing the highest quality of compassionate care to her patients.
Ever since she was a child, Jennifer dreamed of working with animals and advocating for their needs. She finds nothing more rewarding than providing more than just basic care, but constantly improving how she can help your pets. Dr. Bando thrives on making a difference in your pet’s lives by promoting low-stress visits -whether for a wellness exam, illness appointment or assisting an old friend pass peacefully. She believes in connecting with her clients, empowering them through education and empathetic support, while catering to each family’s specific needs.
Dr. Bando’s professional interests include ultrasound, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, internal medicine, and preventive health care management through optimizing nutrition and wellness. She has received advanced training in cardiac ultrasonography.
For several winters, she has volunteered as a trail veterinarian for the Iditarod Sled Dog race and also volunteers with Alaska Rural Veterinary Outreach (ARVO), a non-profit group dedicated to educating and advocating for Alaska’s remote rural pets.
In her spare time, Jenn enjoys anything outdoors including gardening, long distance skiing, cycling and hiking in the beautiful Alaskan backcountry with her husband Jason and their border collie mix, Miso.
Dr. Janelle Spurkland, B.Sc, DVM
Dr. Spurkland grew up with animals on the Kenai Peninsula spending most of her time riding horses, raising pigs, cows, and chickens in the local 4-H club. After graduating from Ninilchik High School, she attended school on the east coast and graduated from Michigan State Veterinary School in 2013. After vet school, Dr Spurkland spent one year interning with race horses in Lexington, Kentucky, and then returned to Alaska to practice in Eagle River, followed by the Homer Veterinary Clinic in 2016.
Dr Spurkland loves all aspects of veterinary medicine and enjoys that no two days are the same. She is kind and caring to all of her patients and clients, offering the best quality of medicine with compassion and understanding. Whether a newborn puppy or a geriatric friend, every life is special to Dr. Spurkland and that is reflected in how she practices medicine. Her dedication is top-notch and she is a strong advocate for your pets. She is highly commited to helping the pets of our community with enthusiasm and is devoted to strengthening the human animal bond.
While most of her time is helping small animals (she has a very soft spot for pugs), she will always be a horse girl at heart!
In early 2017 Janelle travelled to Nicaragua to work on an equine service project with World Vets. She has also volunteered with the Alaska Rural Veterinary Outreach program. Dr. Spurkland enjoys surgery and emergency care, and has received advanced training in abdominal ultrasonography.
Outside of work, Janelle enjoys spending time with her son Erik, husband Jan and stepson Fischer, enjoying the Alaskan outdoors, tending to her miniature horse, geriatric lab and fun-loving pug.
Dr. David Shilha, B.Sc, DVM
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Dr. David Shilha cultivated a love for veterinary medicine while working as a veterinary technician throughout college. In 2018 he obtained his Bachelor of Science from UAF and in 2025 graduated from the UAF/Colorado State University Veterinary Program, an exceptional program focusing on the One Health paradigm of optimizing human, animal and environmental health.
While at university, he worked as an assistant in anatomy classes and volunteered with professional groups dedicated to improving the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Throughout his years of veterinary experience, David is known for extending empathy and kindness to everyone around him. He is excited to return home to Alaska to share his wealth of cutting-edge and current knowledge with the community of Homer. David looks forward to providing tailored, quality veterinary care to his patients while building strong client bonds, promoting trust in his care.
Dr. Shilha’s professional interests include exotic animal medicine (especially hamsters!), small animal internal medicine, dermatology, dentistry, and nutrition.
In his free time, David enjoys the outdoors with his deaf Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix, Bobby, and his better half, Faith. When indoors, his guilty pleasures include gaming and working on his culinary craft.