Dr. Chari Wessel was born into a career military family and grew up on Navy air stations all over the country. She graduated from Iowa State University Veterinary College in 1976 and spent six year in Iowa farm practice before the bitter cold drove her westward and into pet practice. She has practiced in San Diego since 1992 and has been a relief doctor since 2000. When she's not working, she raises canaries and is a volunteer tall ship crew member for the Maritime Museum of San Diego.