Coming Fall 2026
Salt Lake City

Who We Are

To us, WAG is much more than a veterinary hospital; it’s the embodiment of what we want veterinary medicine to be for our patients, clients, and colleagues. Born of the desire to be better, with no corporate constraints, we will focus on providing the experience that our patients and clients deserve.

In late 2026, WAG will open its doors as an independent, locally-owned emergency and specialty veterinary hospital serving the greater Salt Lake City area and beyond.


We’ll see you later this year.

Our Founders

Three founders, one vision. Please contact us to learn more.

Max Parkanzky

DVM, MS, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
max@wagslc.com

  • Dr. Max Parkanzky, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM) is a board-certified small animal veterinary internist and the co-founder of Wasatch Animal Group in Salt Lake City. With a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Michigan State University and both his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and master’s degrees from Purdue University, Dr. Parkanzky brings deep academic and clinical expertise to his practice. After veterinary school he completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by post-residency training with the Veterinary Hemodialysis Academy.

    Dr. Parkanzky is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Small Animal), a distinction earned by veterinarians who demonstrate advanced proficiency in diagnosing and treating complex internal diseases in dogs and cats. He is widely respected for his work in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, liver and gastrointestinal disorders, and innovative, minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

    Before founding his own hospital, Dr. Parkanzky served as a small animal internal medicine specialist and Interim Medical Director at a large specialty hospital in Salt Lake City, where he cared for patients with critical and complicated conditions and collaborated with referring veterinarians to tailor treatment plans.

    In launching this new practice, Dr. Parkanzky aims to combine expert internal medicine with a patient-centered approach, focusing on high-quality diagnostics, compassionate care, and ongoing communication with pet families. His leadership is driven by a passion for advancing veterinary medicine and improving outcomes for small animals with challenging health issues.

Christina Boekhout

DVM, DACVS (Small Animal Surgery)
Christina@wagslc.com

  • Dr. Christina Boekhout, DVM, DACVS (SA) is a board-certified small animal veterinary surgeon and co-founder of Wasatch Animal Group in Salt Lake City. With a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University and a surgical residency completed at the Animal Specialty & Emergency Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Boekhout became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Small Animal) in 2016, an elite certification held by only a small percentage of veterinarians nationwide.

    Dr. Boekhout is recognized for her expertise in orthopedic, soft tissue, oncologic, and urogenital surgery, as well as her skill in managing complicated post-operative and medically fragile patients. Throughout her career, she has developed a reputation for taking on challenging and high-risk surgical cases, including patients with multiple concurrent diseases or conditions that other facilities may consider too complex. She is particularly known for her determination to find solutions for pets who have exhausted conventional options, often working closely with other specialists and referring veterinarians to craft individualized surgical and medical plans.

    Her approach to surgery blends technical precision with deep compassion for both patients and their families. Dr. Boekhout places strong emphasis on clear communication, shared decision-making, and realistic goal-setting, ensuring that owners feel supported when facing difficult diagnoses or major procedures. She has a special interest in surgeries that can dramatically improve quality of life, even in patients with chronic or systemic illness.

    In co-founding Wasatch Animal Group, Dr. Boekhout aims to create a practice centered on advanced surgical care, collaboration, and access to treatment for pets with complex diseases—including those that might otherwise go untreated. Her vision is to build a hospital where innovation, perseverance, and empathy drive every case, and where even the most medically complicated pets are given thoughtful consideration and expert care.

Coming soon…

  • Come back soon to see who else will be helping to build WAG.

Join the Team

Interested in joining the WAG team and shaping its future? Contact us below for more info.