Our Doctors

Originally from Wisconsin, Dr. Sperka studied zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before veterinary school. She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2003 from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. She subsequently completed a rotating veterinary internship in 2004 at Sacramento Animal Medical Group (now part of Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center) in Sacramento, California. She worked in several veterinary hospitals in the Sacramento area and spent the final 5 1/2 years in that area at a large 24-hour emergency and general practice facility in Elk Grove, CA. She is particularly fond of surgery, dentistry and medicine. Dr. Sperka lives in Reno with her family (both two and four legged) and enjoys spending time with them. She also enjoys hiking, backpacking, cooking, yoga, nordic skiing and music festivals. Dr. Sperka is thrilled to be joining the team at Sierra Pet Clinic. Dr. Sperka acquired Sierra Pet Clinic in March of 2013.

Dr. Swalander grew up in a small town in New Mexico and began working at the age of eleven as a kennel boy for the local veterinary clinic. He did his undergraduate work in biology and chemistry at New Mexico State University and later received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University. He served his internship with the West Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group (the second largest private veterinary hospital in the world at the time). After practicing in Southern California for a few years, he and his wife, Larissa, moved to the Tahoe-Truckee area to raise their family. He owned a large referral hospital in the late 1990s and, during his surgical residency there, he trained under the world renowned critical care and surgical expert, Dr. D. T. Crowe. During this time he published papers in peer-reviewed journals on epidural catheterization and the use of surgical lasers. These papers are still cited in veterinary textbooks today. Upon selling that hospital, he practiced at North Lake Veterinary Clinic in Tahoe City for nine years before joining the staff of Sierra Pet Clinic. An avid fly fisher and skier, he has lived in the Truckee area for fifteen years and is deeply involved in the community. He holds a black belt in karate and has officiated AAU karate tournaments in California, Nevada, and Oregon (including the West Coast Junior Olympics). He also coaches football at Truckee High School, and wrestling at Alder Creek Middle School.

Dr. Blaser grew up in Eastern Washington and developed a curiosity in science and animals at a

young age. Her family owned a menagerie of pets throughout her childhood, ranging in size

from rats to horses and everything in between. Eager to get closer to the mountains and skiing,

she earned a BS from Utah State University. She went on to obtain her DVM from Washington

State University. Her clinical interests include preventative medicine, dermatology and dentistry. Dr. Blaser couldn’t be happier to live in Truckee with her husband and their pets. On their days off they can be found tearing up the trails on feet, skis, or bikes (some adventures involve all 3).