Meet the Team

• Favorite animal: Moose
• Favorite color: Blue
• Animals: George, Bertie, Dave, Ghost

Since I was very young, I was sure of two things I wanted when I grew up: To be a vet, and to be in Colorado (I clicked into skis for the first time at the tender age of 3 and never looked back). I grew up getting to experience all kinds of animals: dogs, cats, pocket pets, cattle, goats, horses, and being in Florida of course the occasional alligator.

While at the University of Georgia, I gained clinical research experience with beef cattle and horses, and developed a critical eye and honed decision-making skills while competing on the livestock judging team. Instead of going straight to vet school, I chose to pursue a Master’s degree in Animal Sciences at University of Florida, focusing on beef cattle reproduction, which led to a position as an Extension Agent in Jacksonville. This is where I attribute the growth of my interpersonal skills and desire to stay outside!

I then went to vet school at Mississippi State, where depending on the day you asked me, I was either going to be a cattle vet, horse vet, or surgeon.
After completing an internship at Brandon Equine Medical Center, I finally made my way to the Roaring Fork Valley, and enjoy being able to provide preventive care to all species while focusing on Equine Dentistry and Chiropractic and bovine medicine.

While not at the clinic, you can find me running with Bertie, reading with the cats, or hiking any of the abundant trails in our beautiful state!

• Hometown: Santa Fe, NM
• Favorite animal: Cats, but don’t tell my dog
• Favorite color: Yellow
• Animals: Cora, Pan, Lyra, and Cake

I grew up surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, and one accidental boa constrictor in the mountains of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I graduated from Cornell University in 2010 with a Bachelors in Spanish Literature and then moved to Austin, Texas and worked at a small animal hospital for two years. I loved my job there and followed through on applying to vet school. Upon graduating from Colorado State University, I completed an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group (VERG) in Brooklyn, New York. After completing the internship and having missed green chile and the NM mountains, I returned home and worked at a small and busy veterinary clinic in Taos for three years. I then followed my husband to Tucson, Arizona, where he was finishing up a surgical residency (for humans, not animals).

I am very excited to be in Glenwood Springs and am looking forward to winters with snow! My skis have been in storage for far too long.

When I’m not working, I love trail running with my favorite running buddy, Cora, a husky mix, skiing, camping, and taking on ambitious cooking projects with my husband, Jack.

• Hometown: Denver, CO
• Favorite Animal: Horse
• Favorite color: Green
• Animals: Hazy, Rawah, Zebulon, Ghost

I didn’t grow up with horses. I grew up playing ice hockey in Denver. As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I spent my undergraduate years at Boston College, mostly interested in marine mammals. In 2010, I spent 6 months on the Galápagos Islands performing marine mammal research.

I moved to the valley in 2017, fresh from a year working at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala with Dr. Aric Adams. My brother was living in my parents’ basement and, despite growing up in south Denver, we had never explored the Western Slope, so we figured, why not? I was planning to do a surgical residency at the University of Georgia or Oregon State so 2017 was going to be my year to prep my application. After 6 months, the previous owners, Dr. Rocky Mease and Dr. Dennis Luedke approached me with the opportunity to buy the practice. Even at age 27, I had a feeling that the opportunity to pick up and carry the torch for such a long standing, prestigious practice dating back to 1936, in the most beautiful area on earth, probably only comes around once in a lifetime. So I took the plunge and I am so grateful I did.

Since 2017, my areas of focus have mainly been Equine Sports Medicine and Equine Podiatry. I have been very fortunate to work closely with Dr. Ric Redden, Dr. Jay Merriam, Scott Lemieux and other pioneers in the industry.

It’s been an honor serving the Roaring Fork equine community and I feel lucky every day to be part of such an incredible, hard working team.

• Hometown: Arlington, Wisconsin
• What are your professional/veterinary medicine/animal interests? Variety of large animals, horses > livestock
• What can we find you doing outside of work? Riding and disappearing into the wilderness. Monitoring Gus and Garth as they survey the land.
  

• Hometown: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
• What are your professional/veterinary medicine/animal interests? I love variety and was able to work as an ambulatory LA tech for 16 years, so now I get to stay inside and enjoy all the smaller critters.
• What can we find you doing outside of work? My favorite time of the year is summer when I am able to be outside in the garden, planting flowers, running, hiking, and riding…I also love to cook!
  

I was born in Cape Girardeau, MO. I received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Murray State University in Murray, KY. I have been at GVC for 22 years, 16 of those as a large animal ambulatory technician but currently work as a small animal technician part-time.

My husband Steve and I have 10 acres on Silt Mesa where I enjoy running, hiking, gardening, and cooking. We also love to hunt, pack and trail ride with our horses Chewy and Obi, my Mustang.

• Hometown: New Castle, CO
• What are your professional/veterinary medicine/animal interests? Livestock/equine and canine.
• Favorite Animal: Horses, Dogs, and Otters
• Favorite Color:Turquoise or Forest Green
• Animals:Spook, Bo, Daisy, Duke

I have lived in this valley since I was born. I was raised in New Castle, but I currently live in Rifle. I have my own place. Animals have always been apart of my life. Ever since my first dog Shelby to now my family of furry friends. It wasn’t until recently that I’ve been able to include animals in my life more frequently. I was able to buy my own puppy who is my best friend. And I’ve been able to get into larger animals through showing and raising my own little cattle ranch with family. I’ve also been blessed to have a life were I can ride horses and work with them. It wasn’t until recently that I decided I wanted to make animals a bigger and greater part of my life. That’s when I decided to leave my old job and start my vet career with GVC. I’m working towards becoming a certified vet tech. I am very excited to pursue my new founded passion in animals.

• Hometown: Rifle, CO
• What are your professional/veterinary medicine/animal interests? Large Animal. Equine to certain types of livestock.
• What can we find you doing outside of work? In my free time outside work I’m usually working on the ranch. But I mostly enjoy riding my horse Jet or working with my show cattle.
  
• Favorite Animal: Cows
• Favorite Color: Purple
• Animals: 5 dogs, 2 cats, 2 Sheep, 4 pigs, 2 goats, 6 head of cattle, 6 horses, and 8 chickens

I grew up in this valley on our family ranch with a variety of animals. Animals have always been my thing since I was a little girl. I showed sheep, pigs, goats, and cattle in 4-H and FFA for many years and really enjoyed it. Besides showing in FFA I also competed in Vet Science and did very well. I received my State Degree along with my American Degree which only .2% of people in FFA receive. Now that I am aged out and can no longer compete or show livestock. I breed my own animals so other 4-H or FFA kids can start their own projects. I always knew that I wanted to do something with animals so at the end of my Sophomore year of high school I started career shadowing at GVC eventually I started working part-time and now that I have graduated I have been working for over a year full time. I plan on expanding my knowledge and becoming a certified veterinary technician. My special interest is mixed animal. But I really enjoy equine sports medicine. When I am not at the clinic you can find me at home riding my horse, working with my animals or doing chores so my animals can have the best care.

• Hometown: Rifle, CO
• What are your professional/veterinary medicine/animal interests? Once graduated from high school this May, I hope to further my experience and education on both small animal and equine.
• What can we find you doing outside of work? You would probably find me camping in the summertime and definitely reading book after book during the winter!
  
• Favorite Animal: Sloth
• Favorite Color: Green
• Animals: 1 dog, Kimber

This valley has been my home ever since I could remember. Rifle CO is where I grew up, always surrounded by animals. I will never forget bottle-feeding our first calf and growing up with our family dog Lady (a golden retriever). My dad and I were definitely the animal lovers of the family and I thank him for showing me the importance animals have in our lives. Since graduating from high school in May 2022, I have decided to pursue my passion for animals by staying in Vet Med.

When I’m not at the clinic you can find me at home with my Kimber girl and/or enjoying the beautiful mountains of Colorado.

• Hometown: Glenwood Springs, CO
• What are your professional/veterinary medicine/animal interests? I hope to be able and work more with animals and be able to learn and one day hopefully go to Vet school or continue and advance along the way.
• What can we find you doing outside of work? I loving being a Colorado native so I enjoy to snowboard, paddle board, and go on camping trips during my free time. I as well enjoy spending time riding my horses and playing with my dogs!
  
• Favorite Animal: Horse or Dog
• Favorite Color: Blue
• Animals: Burbuja, Bruno, Lola, and Valencia

I have been living in the roaring fork valley my whole life! I am currently a student at CMC working on my undergrad and figuring out what my true passion is. When I was younger I always wanted farm animals, but unfortunately did not have space until 2 years ago, I was able to buy my first horse! Since then my interest in large animal has grown and I hope to be able to expand further down the road. When I am not at the clinic you can find me helping my dad with the cattle, training Valencia, or being a Colorado native and enjoying the slopes in the winter or the mountains in the summer! I also enjoy traveling and overall goal is to be able to explore all of Europe one day.

• Hometown: New Castle, CO
• What are your professional/veterinary medicine/animal interests? Small animal
• Favorite Animal: Texas Long Horns and Wolves
• Favorite Color: Purple
• Animals: Willow and Whiskey

I have lived in the valley for as long as I can remember. I grew up in New Castle, Co. I have been obsessed with animals for as long I can remember. I was always the little girl that was obsessed with wanting more animals and wanting to help them. When I graduated from high school in May of 2022, I decided I was fully interested in Vet Med.

• Hometown: Glenwood Springs, CO
• What are your professional/veterinary medicine/animal interests? Equine Sports Medicine, Emergency and Critical Care
• Favorite Animal: Horse
• Favorite Color: Green
• Animals:6 dogs, 8 horses, and 9 goats

I am a 5th generation Colorado native, born in Vail and grew up in Gypsum and Glenwood Springs. Spending countless summers and days at my grandparent’s ranch in Burns is where I found my true love for horses and other animals. When I wasn’t on the ranch, I would spend summers playing golf around the valley. After graduating high school, I packed up and headed to Southern Arkansas University on a golf scholarship. Though I loved playing golf and studying in Arkansas, the mountains were calling me home. I then continued my passion for veterinary technology at Colorado Mountain College and graduated in 2012.

When I’m not at the clinic, you can find me spending time with my husband, Evan, and two kids, Raelyn and Colter. We enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, competing in rodeos, golfing, and exploring the Flat Tops.