Dr. Mike Sandstrom was born and raised near Niagara Falls, New York. He traveled the world fixing helicopters in Germany, the Middle East, and Alaska, followed by teaching English as a Second Language to Japanese elementary and middle school children. After the passing of his parents, he found that the strength of the human-animal bond with his pets helped him grieve and move past his sorrow. He then decided to follow his long-cherished dream of working with animals and went back to school.

After graduating with a degree in Biology from the University of Utah, he worked as a veterinary technician for a year before starting veterinary school. Dr. Mike graduated from a combined Utah State University and Washington State University Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in May 2018. Dr. Mike is excited to be back in Alaska and to show his wife and son all that Alaska has to offer. He spoils his fur-babies Lt. Dan and Zen (both cats). Dr. Mike’s interests outside of veterinary medicine include backpacking, hunting, fishing, backcountry skiing, and birding.