Our Veterinarians
Dr. Lindsey A. Smogor, DVM
Dr. Lindsey Smogor grew up just west of Las Vegas, Nevada, where she managed her family’s horseback riding stables and arena before pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pre-Professional Biology with minors in Psychology and Chemistry from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2008. She then began her veterinary education at Ross University in the Caribbean before transferring to Oklahoma State University (OSU), where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 2013.
After graduation, Dr. Lindsey completed an internship at Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Centre in Gilbert, further honing her expertise in equine care. Her passion for equine podiatry and lameness led her to attend farrier school in 2011 at Oklahoma State Horseshoeing School, where she launched her own horseshoeing business while completing her DVM. Over the years, she has participated in numerous seminars and labs with renowned farriers and equine podiatrists, continually expanding her knowledge in the field. Most recently, she completed 240 hours of animal chiropractic training, earning certification through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA).
In 2014, Dr. Lindsey partnered to create Jackpot Equine, a 24-hour mobile equine veterinary service in Tucson. The practice has since evolved into Jackpot Veterinary Center, which now includes an equine hospital and small animal clinic in northwest Tucson.
Dr. Lindsey loves life in Tucson, where she enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, and their daughter, Madelynn. Their family includes a mixed-breed dog (Comiskey), two horses (Peaches and Sally), a miniature donkey named Little John, and two goats (Remy and Little G).
Dr. Callie Hoover, DVM
Dr. Callie Hoover was born and raised in Arizona. She grew up in a family of hunters which led to her passion for animal anatomy. She decided to pursue veterinary medicine as a result and acquired her bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Arizona. She then went to Washington State University and completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
Throughout undergrad, Dr. Callie worked as a technician for Jackpot Equine. She is ecstatic to be returning to the Jackpot family and Tucson community.
Dr. Callie enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine which is likely why her areas of interest include both equine and small animal medicine, with a special interest in emergency and internal medicine.
In her spare time, she enjoys baking, horseback riding, drawing, and trading stocks. Dr. Callie also enjoys spending time with her Border Collie mix, Owen. You can find them enjoying the variety of outdoor activities that Arizona has to offer.
Dr. Autum Busarow-Kosco, DVM, CVA
Dr. Autum Busarow-Kosco is a native of Tucson and completed her undergraduate degree in Veterinary Science at the University of Arizona. She attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts for her pre-clinical training and then completed her clinical training at the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation, she completed an internship at Southwest Equine Hospital in Scottsdale, AZ, and has continued to serve there as an associate veterinarian specializing in equine medicine.
Dr. Kosco enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine including internal medicine, animal welfare, anesthesia / pain management, nutrition, and preventive care. She has extensive training in acupuncture for large and small animals from the Chi Institute in Florida and enjoys customizing conventional and integrative wellness programs for each of her patients to promote healthy and balanced animals.
Dr. Kosco has spent most of her life around horses and couldn’t imagine any other profession than to be working with them as a veterinarian. She splits her time between Jackpot’s Small and Large animal clinics.
She also has a passion for traveling and has been on multiple overseas trips to provide teaching and veterinary care to animals around the world. She is always looking for the next adventure to pursue.
Dr. Kosco lives Tucson with her husband (Keir), her two boys River and Kai, and a small zoo of animals (dogs, cats, horses and chickens).
Dr. Melinda Pazel, DVM
Dr. Melinda Pazel was born and raised in New Jersey. She knew from a young age of her love for animals and immersed herself in the veterinary field at sixteen. She attended Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science—Preveterinary Medicine and Research, and a minor in Italian. Throughout her undergraduate career, she worked closely with the teaching farm at the college, acting as coordinator for the equine handling program and competing for the collegiate equestrian team; she also worked as a veterinary technician at a small animal practice.
After graduation from Rutgers, she chose to attend the University of Arizona’s College of Veterinary Medicine as a part of its inaugural class. In addition to her studies, Dr. Pazel shadowed at Jackpot as a student; having learned a tremendous amount from the Jackpot doctors and staff, she is thrilled to be joining the team as a veterinarian herself.
Dr. Pazel has special interests in surgery and anesthesia, nutrition, and acupuncture. She trained at Chi University for small animal acupuncture and is currently in the process of finishing her certification requirements. In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding, crocheting, reading, and writing. She has settled in Tucson with her cat Winchester, ball python Benjamin, and an assortment of tropical fish.
Dr. Mackenzie Luick, DVM
Mackenzie is a 2019 graduate of the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine where she also earned a Masters of Public Health as part of the dual degree DVM/MPH program. She completed a rotating internship at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital from 2019-2020. In 2020 Dr. Luick came to Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care as a Hospital Intern and was accepted into the Surgical Residency Program the following year.
Originally from Oregon, she attended Harvard University for undergrad where she majored in Latin American Studies with a minor in Global Health, and was a member of the varsity swim team. Before attending veterinary school, she worked for an Arabian showing and breeding farm, and as a veterinary assistant. Mackenzie has an interest in colic surgery and emergency medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and staying active – especially running with her Treeing Walker Coonhound, Dixie.