Veterinarians in Phoenix, AZ You Can Trust
At Animal Democracy Pet Urgent Care in Phoenix, AZ, our veterinary team provides compassionate, same-day care along with routine veterinary needs for dogs and cats. We focus on clear communication, thoughtful treatment, and a supportive experience for pet owners across the greater Phoenix area when their pets need attention most.
Meet Our Veterinary Team in Phoenix
The team at Animal Democracy Pet Urgent Care is dedicated to delivering accessible, high-quality veterinary care with a personal approach. As a locally focused clinic in Phoenix, we prioritize building trust with every visit—taking time to listen, explain, and support both pets and their families. Our team works collaboratively to provide consistent care, whether your pet is visiting for a same-day concern or ongoing health support.
Dr. Kate Schwemer
DVM
Dr. Schwemer did not simply move from North Dakota—she staged a dramatic, frostbitten escape from the tundra, trading subzero survival mode for sunshine and a more reasonable relationship with her eyelashes. A proud Fargo native, she began her animal career not casually, but as a multitasking force of nature—volunteering at both a humane society and a zoo, presumably building alliances across species while the rest of us were still figuring out our schedules.
Before officially entering veterinary medicine, she trained in the wilds of two hometown clinics while simultaneously earning her bachelor’s degree in Biology/Pre-Veterinary Studies at Concordia College—because doing one thing at a time has never really been her style. She then leveled up and headed to Iowa, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 2016, graduating magna cum laude—a title that roughly translates to “extremely competent and mildly intimidating in the best way.”
At home, Dr. Schwemer continues her reign surrounded by her husband, children, and her beloved furry entourage: Pastrami (yes, iconic), William (distinguished gentleman energy), and Fiona (undisputed queen of the household). Together, they form a perfectly balanced ecosystem of chaos, love, and fur.
In practice, Dr. Schwemer brings a level of care that feels suspiciously close to magic. Every patient is treated as if they were her own—meaning your pet is about to receive VIP treatment, heartfelt compassion, and possibly a pep talk they didn’t know they needed.
She is beyond excited to meet your four-legged family members…whether they arrive calmly, dramatically, or with main-character energy.
Dr. Lara Sosnow
DVM
Dr. Lara Sosnow was not merely born and raised in Phoenix—she emerged from the desert like a sun-powered, animal-whispering phenomenon. While most children had hobbies, young Lara was busy running what can only be described as a one-child wildlife triage unit, tending to dogs, cats, gerbils, rats, and an endless stream of emotionally complex pigeons who absolutely trusted her with their lives (and secrets).
Her path to veterinary medicine? Straight lines are for amateurs. Dr. Sosnow first conquered academia, earning her undergraduate degree from UC San Diego, then casually collecting an MBA from NYU like it was a side quest. She briefly stepped into corporate America, but after realizing spreadsheets lacked a pulse and quarterly earnings reports couldn’t be vaccinated, she pivoted—decisively—back to her true calling.
In 2016, she graduated cum laude from Iowa State University with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, effectively unlocking her final form. She returned to Arizona, where fate intervened and she met Kayla—her forever CVT, right hand, and co-pilot in all things animal care. The universe has not been the same since.
Now, Dr. Sosnow dedicates her days to healing, advocating, and occasionally performing what clients may reasonably describe as small miracles. She is fueled by compassion, clinical excellence, and probably caffeine, and she cannot wait to meet you—and your furry (or feathered, or slightly chaotic) companions.
Dr. Hugh Giffords
DVM
Some people follow a career path.
Dr. Hugh Giffords builds one—usually while everything around him is on fire.
Before entering veterinary medicine, Dr. Giffords spent 20 years in New York City doing what most people only see in movies—serving as both a firefighter and police officer. When alarms sounded and chaos broke loose, he didn’t hesitate. He ran toward it. Again. And again. For two decades.
And then—because apparently that wasn’t challenging enough—he decided to start over.
Armed with discipline, grit, and an alarming tolerance for long hours, Dr. Giffords enrolled at Iowa State University, where he didn’t just survive veterinary school—he graduated cum laude. Because of course he did.
Today, Dr. Giffords brings that same intensity, focus, and no-nonsense problem-solving into the veterinary world. With a special interest in internal medicine and oncology, he gravitates toward the toughest cases—the ones that make other people pause. Complex diagnostics? Chronic disease? High-stakes decisions? That’s his comfort zone.
He’s known for his commanding presence, sharp instincts, and dry sense of humor that somehow makes even stressful situations feel manageable. Clients trust him not just because of what he knows—but because of how he shows up: steady, confident, and fully invested in every patient’s outcome.
If there’s a challenge, Dr. Giffords has likely already anticipated it.
If there’s a solution, he’s already working on it.
And if you’re wondering whether your pet is in capable hands—the answer is simple:
They are.
Kayla Carter
Certified Veterinary Technician/Hospital Manager
Kayla Carter, CVT and Office Manager, did not simply develop a passion for animals—she arrived pre-programmed with it. As a child, she fully intended to become a marine biologist, presumably to negotiate peace treaties between dolphins and assert dominance over the ocean itself. Unfortunately, growing up in the Arizona desert made daily whale consultations slightly inconvenient, so she pivoted…temporarily (or so she thought).
Veterinary medicine was meant to be a stepping stone—a brief detour on her way to coastal greatness. Instead, it turned into a full-blown destiny plot twist. Domestic animals took one look at Kayla and collectively decided, “Yes. This one. She’s ours now.”
She earned her Certified Veterinary Technician status in 2012, thereby unlocking advanced skills including but not limited to: calming the most dramatic patients, anticipating medical needs before they happen, and running an entire hospital with the quiet efficiency of someone who absolutely knows where everything is at all times.
In 2016, the universe aligned in a moment of undeniable cosmic importance when she joined forces with Lara Sosnow. Since then, the two have operated as a perfectly synchronized veterinary duo—part medicine, part chaos management, part mind-reading.
As Office Manager, Kayla is the gravitational center of the operation. Schedules bend to her will, systems run smoother in her presence, and both pets and people leave feeling like they’ve been personally looked after (because they have). She can’t imagine working with a better veterinarian—and frankly, the feeling is mutual across all species.
Kayla is beyond excited to continue bringing veterinary medicine directly to clients and their pets…whether they walk, run, fly, or just scream in the lobby for dramatic effect.