Dr. Jackie Gai has a diverse background in caring for captive wildlife. She entered the field in 1989 as a docent, a volunteer, a zookeeper and ultimately a veterinarian at The Oakland Zoo. A lifelong interest in elephants intensified during her time as an elephant keeper, when she helped hand-raise an African elephant calf. A graduate of U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Gai has been actively involved in rehabilitation and release of California native wildlife, including raptors, sea birds, and small mammals.

Dr. Gai is currently the Director for Veterinary Services for the Performing Animal Welfare Society, and was the Director for Veterinary Services for the Micke Grove Zoo from 2002-2009. She has a special interest in caring for the special medical needs of elderly animals.

Believing strongly in community service, Dr. Gai has served on the U.C. Davis Small Animal External Advisory Committee, the California Department of Fish and Game Director's Advisory Committee on the Humane Care and Treatment of Wild Animals, and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians' Legislative and Animal Welfare Committee. She has volunteered her services during disasters such as assisting with the care of sea birds harmed by oil spills, and animals burned and displaced by wildfires.

Dr. Gai finds deep satisfaction in "paying forward" the mentorship that she had throughout her career, and she enjoys teaching future veterinarians about the unique nature of providing care to wild animals in the captive environment. She is a popular speaker at veterinary schools and symposia on topics such as caring for elderly elephants.