My name is Dr. Jackie Kucskar, and I established Ember Veterinary Services in 2025 to offer another option in general surgical care for Capital Region veterinary hospitals and the pets and clients they serve.
I grew up in the Capital Region, and earned my Bachelors in Biology from Russell Sage College in 2004. After earning my DVM degree from Cornell in 2008 and spending 11 years in general practice, I’ve spent the last 6+ years focusing on soft tissue surgery, high-quality/high-volume spay and neuter, dentistry, and clinical surgical instruction.
I have performed approximately 15,000 sterilization surgeries as well as many soft tissue and dental surgeries, and have worked hard to maximize efficiency and safety for my patients.
I am passionate about keeping general surgeries in general practices by alleviating stress on busy practices through relief services, and teaching the next generation of surgeons to be competent and confident.
Outside of the surgical suite, I enjoy an active lifestyle, including weight lifting, hiking (I even summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro!), snow skiing, and I am a proud member of the Electric City Water Ski Show Team on the Mohawk River!
My favorite hobby is wildlife photography, and I travel to various countries to catch some amazing shots. South Africa is my most traveled, and I have also done veterinary conservation work on all of the African Big 5 species!
I have two Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, my older boy and heart dog Camden, and his goofy little brother, and namesake to the business, Ember. I also live with a very sweet but not very intelligent buff-colored cat named Enzo, as well as my ever-supportive husband and our strong and courageous daughter.
