Meet Our Veterinary Team
At Hawaiian Gardens Animal Hospital, our experienced veterinary team brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to your beloved pet’s corner. Our team will take the time to break down what each of our services entails and strive to help you and your pet feel at ease during your visit. Whether you’d like to protect your pet with vaccinations or if they are dealing with a chronic illness, you can rely on our staff. Our team members regularly work with cats and dogs at all stages of life. We look forward to helping your pet for years to come.
Keep reading below to learn more about our skilled and respectful veterinary team!
Dr. Jennifer Self
Veterinarian
Dr. Self is the proud owner of Hawaiian Gardens Animal Hospital. With over two decades of experience as a veterinarian, she has spent her career gaining extensive expertise in dog and cat medicine and surgery. After graduating from Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001, Dr. Self developed a special interest in internal medicine, dermatology, and soft tissue surgery. Dr. Self is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA).
Outside of work, Dr. Self is a dedicated mother of two college-aged daughters, Tessa and Talia. She is a passionate animal lover, sharing her home with her pit-bull mix, Stormy, and three cats: Ash, Matches, and Blazey. With an unwavering commitment to veterinary medicine and caring for animals, she strives to provide the highest standard of care. Known for her kind and compassionate approach, Dr. Self prioritizes each pet’s well-being as if they were her own, building meaningful relationships with clients and ensuring their cherished companions enjoy long, healthy lives.
Dr. Melissa Zukle
Veterinarian
Dr. Melissa Zukle was born and raised in California and attended college at Cal Poly Pomona before making the journey to Kansas State University to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. She holds a love of all animals and a drive to provide compassionate care to as many as possible. She has a wide variety of interests, including dentistry, feline medicine and urgent care. A number of creatures reside with Dr. Zukle, including two cats named Little Bear and Toast. When not at work, Dr. Zukle spends her time exploring Disneyland, crafting, reading or trying new restaurants.
Dr. Lana Bordcosh
Veterinarian
Dr. Bordcosh was born in London, England, and raised in Southern California. She attended UCLA, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. Following graduation, she worked in cancer, glaucoma, and stem cell research before pursuing her veterinary degree at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. After veterinary school, Dr. Bordcosh returned to Southern California and completed a one-year rotating internship at Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Irvine (now BluePearl). She went on to practice emergency medicine for seven years before transitioning into general practice. Her special interests include internal medicine, critical care, dermatology, pain management, and research. Dr. Bordcosh was drawn to veterinary medicine by a desire to alleviate animal suffering and make a meaningful difference in their lives. She brings that same sense of purpose to the care of each patient today. She believes the best veterinary care begins with listening—to both her patients and the people who know them best. Dr. Bordcosh believes every patient deserves her time, her attention, and the care it takes to get things right. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Bordcosh enjoys roller skating, playing volleyball, traveling, and spending time with her family. She can also frequently be found spoiling her family’s Goldendoodle, Bodhi.
