Dr. Sunshine Eckstrom, DVM, CVA is an equine veterinarian living in Haleiwa, Hawaii on the North Shore of Oahu.
Born in New Jersey (and loving animals from day one !), she grew up in Italy and Singapore where she competed in eventing, show jumping, dressage and equitation. She returned to the United States to attend the University of Pennsylvania where she double majored in Biology and Communications. While there, she competed for the Penn Equestrian Team. She then obtained her DVM degree from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts.
Upon graduation from vet school, having realized that the New England weather was way too cold for someone who grew up on the equator, she moved to southern California to work for Chino Hills Equine Hospital. There, she was able to pursue her passion for equine sports medicine at the predominantly racetrack practice.
Next, it was time for her to establish her own practice, and in 2005 she started Silver Canyon Equine, which was a mobile equine veterinary practice centered in Norco, CA, aka “Horsetown, USA”. While living there, she enjoyed riding the extensive horse trails of southern California, writing an Ask the Vet column in the local newsletter, and hosting veterinary students and international veterinarians for their practical internship hours. In 2018 she attended the Equine Acupuncture Course at Chi University where she obtained her CVA (Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist) degree. She has followed that with additional courses in Herbal Medicine, Pain Management, and Performance Horse Medicine.
Most recently, in 2020, she sold her California practice and moved with her horse, dogs, cat, rabbit and husband to Oahu where she is concentrating on using equine acupuncture to help horses stay healthy and live their best lives. She enjoys exploring the beautiful ocean-view riding trails with her ex-racehorse Kat, running, surfing and being grateful to live in a magical place like Hawaii.
Dr. Eckstrom is a member of the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), the HSVMA (Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association), and the AAVA (American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture) where she serves on the Conference Committee.