Dr. Michael Retford was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. From an early age, he began learning about sick and injured animals from a neighbor who took in oddball species from the local humane society. He lived there until his family moved to Idaho when he was 14 years old. He loved roaming the river bottoms on horseback and often brought home wild animals in need of help. When he brought home a skunk, his mother protested asking where he was going to keep it. When he replied, “In my room,” his mother said, “What about the smell?” to which his older brother quickly piped up and said, “Don’t worry Mom, the skunk will get used to it.”

            He served as a missionary for two years in El Salvador, Central America and attended BYU after returning. After four years at BYU, he attended Veterinary School at Washington State University. Upon graduating in 1986, he moved to Arizona and has been practicing small animal medicine ever since.

            Dr. Retford enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities and loves to travel with the love of his life, Lorie, and their two Chihuahuas, Lacie and Max.

Dr. Tracy Jaffe is a native to California who has lived all over the United States. She is a graduate of Stanford University (Go Cardinal!), the University of Southern California (Go Trojans!), and the University of Missouri College Of Veterinary Medicine (Go Tigers!), where she was the recipient of the award for excellence in the field of veterinary ophthalmology.

            Dr. Jaffe has participated in three medical missions to remote regions of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, where she spayed and neutered over 100 dogs and cats. She is the author of several publications, including three veterinary technicians’ textbook chapters, one journal article, and articles in several symposium proceedings. Dr. Jaffe has lectured and assisted in wet laboratories on both state and national levels in a variety of emergency and critical care topics of interest to veterinarians and technicians.

Dr. Mike Zinn was born and raised in the East Valley. Upon graduation with a business degree from Arizona State University, he attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins for Veterinary school. Dr. Zinn has been on several human medical missions to Peru with the Sister Cities of Mesa Organization. He currently lives in Tempe and enjoys hiking and skiing during his free time. He has two dogs, a Golden Retriever mix named Toby, and a Miniature Schnauzer named Abby.