Charlize grew up in the Los Altos Hills. She began riding at 6 years old and soon began showing with her mom and grandparents in Reining, a sport that is very important to her because her family has always enjoyed it —  and their horses — together. Charlize still has her gelding, Cornbread, who is now a retired trail and lesson horse.

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After attending the UC Davis Pre-Vet Day, per the recommendation of her high school counselor, Charlize knew that she wanted to become a veterinarian. The Steinbeck veterinarians had been her family’s veterinarians while she was growing up, so while earning her BS in Animal Science with an Equine focus at UC Davis, Charlize spent plenty of time shadowing them, and was later a Veterinary Student Extern at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics.

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Dr. Zuraek received her DVM from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, graduating with honors from the Phi Zeta Honor Society. While in veterinary school, she served as President of the Student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and received the award for Clinical Excellence in Large Animal Internal Medicine. Dr. Zuraek completed her internship at Austin Equine Hospital in the Texas Hill Country. Her professional interests include equine general practice, emergency medicine and critical care, ophthalmology, and reproduction. 

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In her free time, Charlize enjoys running (she recently ran her first 10K and is excited to train for a half marathon next), riding, cooking, and spending time with her family and her fiancé, Dominic.