Meet Us

Veterinarian, Medical Director and Co-Owner of Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital

Cristy Fisher, DVM

Also a general practitioner and co-owner, Dr. Cristy Fisher opened Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital together with her husband in 2008 after 7 years of intense planning.

Dr. Fisher thoroughly enjoyed her childhood as the daughter of an Air Force pilot moving all over the world. She grew up in Guam, Germany, and Belgium and cherishes all the wonderful memories and the cultural enrichment that comes with being a “military brat” on the move. She pursued her undergraduate degree at Baylor University in Texas and Colorado State University and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology, with a minor in German, in 1996. Dr. Fisher maintains an active membership in Phi Beta Kappa.

Dr. Fisher’s enduring lifelong dream was to become a small animal veterinarian and she achieved this dream in 2001 after being awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Keeping in line with her dream, her professional interests include internal medicine, soft tissue surgery and small animal behavior. She is particularly interested in feline behavior and their inappropriate elimination behaviors.

Dr. Fisher and her husband were blessed with a beautiful baby girl January of 2015 and Dr. Fisher now finds herself racing home at the end of work to be with her. Taylor has indeed turned the Fisher household upside down with her infectious giggling and constant smile. When she’s not busy with her duties at the hospital and her daughter is napping, Dr. Fisher enjoys beading, reading, watching movies and taking care of her Koi fish and their Koi pond.

FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Any dog or cat that doesn’t want to bite me!

FAVORITE SPORT?

None. Nada. Nope. No.

FAVORITE SNACK?

Chocolate ice cream.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

I love helping those who can’t help themselves and healing them so they can greet their caregivers at the door time and time again.When we bring a pet up to see their caregiver after a treatment, exam, surgery, or hospitalization, and you see them violently wag their tails or rub against their parents’ faces and legs. That’s when you can see how truly excited they are to see their parents again! It’s a gentle reminder of why we do what we do, and what a blessing it really is to have pets in our lives to love us and cherish us! It’s seeing their unconditional love for us in action!

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING AT PINE CREEK?

Working with an incredibly gifted, talented, and dedicated team who shares the same compassion and love for animals and the desire to help them! We’re here to serve our community and to help those who can’t help themselves. We become their voice!

MOST GRATIFYING THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

It’s that type of pet– the one that doesn’t give up, keeps fighting, and is always excited to see you, despite being in pain or feeling poorly. If they don’t give up, neither will I. I’ll keep trying to find ways to make the animal feel better or to fix them.

FAVORITE COLORADO SPRINGS ACTIVITIES?

Being outside, doing whatever. The best thing is getting up really early in the morning (especially when camping) and taking a big, deep breath in through your nose. The Colorado morning air is always so crisp, clean, and fresh. It’s like God’s way of saying: “You just got another beautiful day on Earth. Carpe Diem!”

Veterinarian, Co-Owner of Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital

Josh Fisher, DVM

Dr. Josh Fisher is a general practitioner and co-owner of Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital. An Arizona native, he attended the University of Arizona and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, with a minor in Chemistry, in 1996. He pursued his veterinary medical education at the prestigious Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences where he met his wife, Dr. Cristy Fisher. Together, they were awarded Doctorates of Veterinary Medicine in 2001.

Although his background was breaking horses for his family farm and his career interests started out as a large animal veterinarian, his professional interests have now shifted focus to small animal dentistry and nutrition.
He and his wife share their home with two cats, Tabuqui and Baloo, while forever remembering their two other cats, Bagheera and ShirKhan and their wonder-dog Mougli!

On his days off, he enjoys “daddy – days” with his amazing baby girl, Taylor. Any spare time, which isn’t much since Taylor’s arrival, is spent weight lifting and catching up on football. Dr. Fisher’s true love (after his wife and daughter) is watching the Green Bay Packers and he never misses a game. Whenever able, he steals away to Wisconsin to catch a live “Lambeau Leap.”

FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Everything! Liger? Wait… Just kidding.

PETS?

I have two kitties, Tabuqui and Balloo.

HOBBIES

Weightlifting, archery, and coin collecting.

FUNNIEST MEMORY FROM WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

When clients have accidentally turned their black dog orange from using “peroxide” instead of hydrogen peroxide in a de-skunking formula.

MOST GRATIFYING THING ABOUT WORKING AS A VET?

I was able to save a pet’s life who had Addison’s disease. I was the third opinion the owner sought.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

Relieving pain and making them feel better.

FAVORITE COLORADO SIGHT?

The Aspens turning around Vail in October.

FAVORITE COLORADO ACTIVITIES?

Trout fishing.

Associate Veterinarian Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital

Emmie Truett, DVM

She’s a long way from her home, but we are very excited to announce our new associate. Hailing from the University of Tennessee, for both undergraduate degree and her doctorate, we are glad to have Dr. Emmie Truett join our team. Dr. Truett instantly won us over with her vast medical knowledge base, outgoing, warm personality, and her fresh new look at veterinary medicine. Like most veterinarians, she grew up loving anything with fur or feathers, but it wasn’t until college when she dedicated her life and career to the wellbeing of animals.
The eldest of five kids, her childhood was spent growing up not only in the United States but also in China and Puerto Rico until she returned home to complete her education in Tennessee. Go Vols! Moving and traveling internationally, her family experienced many cultural riches while developing cherished family memories.

Dr. Truett and her husband share a love of animals, themselves caring for two dogs and a budgie named Pickle. When not working long hours at the hospital, she steals away with her husband to check out local Colorado breweries and taprooms, taverns and bistros. Although, we’d love to take all the credit for luring her to Colorado, her desire to enjoy our beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain hiking trails and camping opportunities had a lot to do with it as well!

What happened that made you become or why did you become a veterinarian? And when did this occur?

My first summer in college, I volunteered as a horse wrangler at a Young Life camp in Colorado. I loved spending time working with both people and horses, and had a hunch then that veterinary medicine would be for me. The next few summers, I did corporate research and development internships, one in pet care and another in a different field. While the work was satisfying and I learned a lot, I missed being able to be a direct part of the human-animal relationship. I knew at this point that my calling was to be a veterinarian so that I could participate first hand in the human-animal bond.

What’s your favorite animal?

Elephants and dogs

What’s your favorite thing about working with animals?

I love how resilient and forgiving they are. It constantly amazes me when a very sick animal has the resilience to fight and get better. I love seeing an animals true personality come out when they start to feel more like themselves again.

Please write a few sentences describing your funniest memory as a child.

Oh gosh, I have too many to pick from since I grew up in a big family.

What do you think is your funniest personality trait?

I’m relatively sarcastic.

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

I spent a month in Zimbabwe by myself volunteering on a family owned elephant rescue.

What’s your favorite place in Colorado?

My husband and I have a soft spot for Winter Park, Boulder, and Estes Park.

What brought you to Colorado?

My husband and I love Colorado, so we knew that we wanted to live here as soon as veterinary school was over. Once I visited Pine Creek and Colorado Springs, I knew this would be the right place for us.

Associate Veterinarian

Jonathan Tingle, DVM

A Colorado native growing up in Buena Vista, he is not a stranger to our beautiful mountain ranges.  Every summer he stayed in Creede, Colorado with his family who ran a backpacking camp near there.  Dr. Jonathan Tingle is excited to be back in his home state after attending Texas A&M University for both his undergraduate degree and subsequently his medical degree.  We are thrilled to introduce you to Dr Jon, our new associate. Originally focusing his career on equine medicine, he developed a newfound passion for small animal medicine and joined our practice to serve our small animal community in Colorado Springs.  

As a young adolescent working at a dude ranch offering trail rides and a petting zoo, he quickly learned of the joy that animals bring humans, and he knew from that moment on that he wanted to pursue a career helping animals and people!  When you get the chance, you will want to ask him about a special old donkey on the dude ranch named Eeyore!  

As a middle child with one older brother and two younger sisters, he has a strong connection to family life, making him a great addition to the Pine Creek Veterinary family.  His (limited) spare time is spent with his wife and family including his Goldendoodle, Gryffindor (for all you HP fans!).  Between his love for the Weminuche Wilderness and his favorite 14-er, Uncompahgre Peak, Dr. Jon enjoys all that Colorado has to offer including flying fishing, antler shed hunting and ultralight backpacking. 

WHERE DID YOU ATTEND MEDICAL COLLEGE?

Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF WORKING AT PINE CREEK? OR WHAT DREW YOU TO WORK AT PCVH? 

I was drawn to Pine Creek by the high quality of medicine performed by the clinicians and the collaborative and team atmosphere between both the doctors and the staff.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A VETERINARIAN?

I knew when I was 10 years old.

WHAT HAPPENED THAT MADE YOU BECOME OR WHY DID YOU BECOME A VETERINARIAN? 

I spent a summer working as a stable boy at a dude ranch that offered horse trail rides and a petting zoo. I saw how much joy the animals brought to the visitors lives and knew that I wanted to be in a job that allowed me to care for both animals and people.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN EMPLOYED IN THE ANIMAL RELATED FIELD?

I have worked with animals in different capacities since I was 10 years old.

WHAT WAS THE MOST GRATIFYING THING YOU EXPERIENCED WHILE WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY?

I had a case of during my internship that was a pregnant springer that had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and cryptococcal meningitis that stayed in the hospital for the duration of her pregnancy for treatment. I got to manage the case for about a month and really bonded with her and her owner. She did great and went home after whelping 6 puppies – and my Lily is one of those puppies!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?

I love most animals, but my favorite is my Goldendoodle Gryffindor.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES? 

Backpacking, fly fishing, playing with our dog, woodworking.

WHAT’S YOUR FUNNIEST OR FONDEST MEMORY FROM WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

I started working at a dude ranch when I was 10 years old. I had no experience with equids but was eager to begin learning. The ranch owned a pony cart but at that time the only creature capable of pulling the cart was an old donkey named Eeyore. I really wanted to put the cart to use so I asked the ranch manager if I could train Eeyore to be a cart donkey. The ranch manager, a firm believer in the educational power of experience, explained to me that training old donkeys was very difficult but if I really wanted to, I could attempt the feat. I was elated and immediately went about the job. I haltered Eeyore and cleaned him up. I found the tack for the cart and approached him with harness. It was then that I learned several valuable lessons in a brief amount of time: Old donkeys are not fond of being put in unfamiliar tack, putting said unfamiliar tack on a now scared and grumpy old donkey from behind is unsafe, and even a small old donkey when scared and grumpy is capable of moving its legs with incredible speed and force. Roughly 10 minutes after embarking on my first training endeavor I had a painful understanding of how difficult it was to train an old donkey to pull a cart and had learned my first lessons about working with equids. I returned sometime later to the ranch manager seeking a less ambitious task.

WHAT WAS THE MOST GRATIFYING THING THAT YOU EXPERIENCED WHILE WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY?

I have had the privilege of participating in a lot of rewarding cases. One that stands out in my mind was a lame horse that belonged to a young girl. We performed surgery on the horse and he made a full recovery and was able to go back to work with his young owner. She was so thankful and excited to get to be riding her horse again.

WHAT ARE YOUR GENERAL HOBBIES? 

Backpacking, fly fishing, playing with our dog, woodworking.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Buena Vista, Colorado

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF A PET CLUB OR ANIMAL ORGANIZATION?

My parents ran a backpacking camp near Creede, Colorado. We moved out there every summer and I loved getting to be out in the mountains.

WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?

During one of my summer breaks in Veterinary school I went to Alaska and worked on a commercial salmon fishing boat for 6 weeks. We spent the whole 6 weeks on the water, regularly fishing for 24-48 hours without sleeping.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN COLORADO?

The Weminuche Wilderness

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HIKE?

My favorite hike is Western Loop of the Colorado trail around the Collegiate Peaks.

HOW MANY 14-ERS HAVE YOU HIKED?

I don’t know the exact number of 14-ers I have hiked but its somewhere between 10-20. My favorite is Uncompahgre Peak

Associate Veterinarian

Jesse Webb, DVM

Dr. Jesse Webb is originally from the Gulf Coast of Florida, earned his DVM at St. Matthew’s University in Grand Cayman, and previously practiced veterinary medicine in Southeast Alaska and Montana before moving to Colorado in May of 2014.
He enjoys challenging internal medicine cases, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry; however, his true passion in veterinary medicine is ultrasonography.

Outside of work he enjoys hiking and exploring with his wife Melissa and dog Louie as well as relaxing around the house with their two cats, Ukie and Cece watching baseball.  The small amount of time left over is devoted to an occasionally successful attempt to trick a fish into believing a metal hook covered with a few hairs and feathers is an edible insect.

Practice Manager

Morgan Riddles

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Texas and Oklahoma

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

Cameron University

FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Humpback whales!

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES?

Cooking, writing, and being in nature with my golden boys.

WHAT ARE YOUR PETS AND WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?

I’m a proud dog momma of two wildly handsome Golden Retrievers, Simba and Aslan.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM?

Houston Rockets!

WHAT’S YOUR FUNNIEST OR FONDEST MEMORY FROM WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

A patient I often saw in Texas, Colt, who almost NEVER let his stuffed duck touch the ground, would always drop it just to give me hugs. It sounds silly, but I will forever cherish those warm, loving hugs of his!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

Seeing patients walk out of the hospital feeling better than they did when they first came in. There is nothing more rewarding than that!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF WORKING AT PINE CREEK?

The team. Everyone here is amazing at what they do, and are genuinely happy to help pets, pet parents, and each other. It’s a rare and beautiful team dynamic that you don’t find in many places

WHAT WAS THE MOST GRATIFYING THING THAT YOU EXPERIENCED WHILE WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY?

I wish I could pick just one moment, but every day in this field is gratifying to me no matter how tough the days might sometimes be.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN COLORADO?

 Durango and Telluride.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO COLORADO?

Family.

 

 

Certified Veterinary Technician

Yana Kageorgis, CVT

PETS?

I have one dog, Piper, and six cats: Spencer, Haylee, Lips, Junior, Mulder and Sharkbait.

FAVORITE COLORADO ACTIVITIES?

Skiing, hiking, rafting, and being outside.

FAVORITE HIKE?

Estes Park.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING AT PINE CREEK?

The high standards of care from both doctors and staff members.

MOST GRATIFYING THING YOU EXPERIENCED WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

I adopted a stray dog that the shelter found; she was mostly blind, had a proptosed eye, a broken leg, terrible teeth, and she was covered in mats. On her first day home, after we fixed everything and helped her heal, I came home to find her curled up in her bed. When she recognized I was there, she got so excited, and was barking and wagging her tail. It was so touching that she was so sweet and happy to see me, even after all the hard times she had endured.

Veterinary Technician

Morgan Tahara

FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Manatee.

HOBBIES?

Cooking, reading recipes, swimming, hiking, yoga, snowboarding, walking my dogs, and going to Formula Drift events.

PETS?

I have two dogs: Doc, a thirteen-year-old Pitbull and Sammy, an eleven-year-old Chiaweenie.

FUNNIEST MEMORY OF WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

It happened when I was volunteering at the SC Aquarium in Charleston. I was prepping fish in the kitchen to feed the loggerhead, and there were other volunteers prepping mice, mealworms, etc. My fellow volunteer went to wash her hands, and wasn’t paying attention as she dried her them on this big, fluffy, white rabbit that was thawing on the counter for the Burmese Python!

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

I love developing that level of trust to where the pet understands that you are there to help them, and you can be an advocate for them. Pet advocacy is crucial, since they can’t speak for themselves.

MOST GRATIFYING EXPERIENCE WHILE WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

When I was a neurology technician, our patients arrived unable to walk and in a lot of pain. But they left able to walk again and usually returned to a normal life. Since you’re working with critical patients, their lives are frequently at stake and dependent on your care. There was no room for error, and we were constantly taking in emergency surgeries. That environment taught me to remain calm and to be efficient and precise at all times.

FAVORITE HIKE?

Going past Seven Bridges to the Aspen Meadow.

FAVORITE COLORADO SIGHT?

Sky Pond in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Certified Veterinary Technician

Jen Finley, CVT

FROM?

Portland, Oregon.

HOBBIES?

Cycling, swimming, shooting, and watching University of Oregon football.

FUNNIEST MEMORY OF WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

I took the temperature of one of our patients for an annual exam. After the exam was over, I went out to the lobby just as they were checking out. As soon as the dog saw me, she sat down on her bottom as quickly as she could. One guess where I took her temp?

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

Animals have an amazing ability to live in the moment. Working with them provides such a great reminder for me to take and enjoy each day as it comes.

MOST GRATIFYING EXPERIENCE WHILE WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

It’s gratifying to help maintain the health of our senior pets so they can be with their families and have a wonderful quality of life for as long as possible.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING AT PINE CREEK?

I so enjoy meeting all the different people we have as clients and their furry family members. I’m a people-person, and I love animals, so this is a perfect fit!

FAVORITE COLORADO ACTIVITIES?

Biking, taking our Jeep four-wheeling in the snow, and snow shoeing.

HOW MANY 14ERS HAVE YOU HIKED?

I’ve raced to the top of Pike’s Peak on-foot and on my bike multiple times – that’s the only 14er I’ve done so far. Completing a few more is definitely on the “list.”

Veterinary Technician

Jennie Rigney

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Mesa, Arizona but have been in Colorado Springs for 31 years

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

Apex College of Veterinary Technology

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Pugs and otters.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES?

Crochet, fishing, hiking and spending time with my dogs and husband.

WHAT ARE YOUR PETS AND WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?

2 pugs – Norman and Leory, 1 cat – Alize

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM?

Colorado Avalanche

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNACK?

Chips and dip

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

Helping them when they can’t help themselves. Bonding with animals can really be something special.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF WORKING AT PINE CREEK?

Being able to see a client’s reaction when their beloved pet’s health turns around and we were the ones able to help.

WHAT WAS THE MOST GRATIFYING THING THAT YOU EXPERIENCED WHILE WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY?

(Is there a specific pet/ owner that you helped that sticks out in your mind?)  During the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires, I was part of an organization that was called out to help. I was able to help take care of families displaced pets and also got to be a part of reuniting pets with owners that were lost during the fire.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO IN COLORADO?

Anything outdoors.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN COLORADO?

Pagosa Springs.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO COLORADO?

Family.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLORADO ACTIVITIES?

Fishing, hiking, and camping.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE COLORADO SIGHT?

Pass to Cripple Creek during fall.

Certified Veterinary Technician

Emily Baez, CVT

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Illinois. Midwest is the best.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

Parkland College Champaign, Illinois.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Birds. Especially Cockatoos and Budgies, Dogs too.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES?

Hobbies? I have kids what are hobbies? They used to be cooking, sewing and crafts.

WHAT ARE YOUR PETS AND WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?

Unfortunately, we are petless at the moment.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM?

I don’t “sport”.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNACK?

SUSHI!!!!! All day every day if I could!

WHAT’S YOUR FUNNIEST OR FONDEST MEMORY FROM WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

A Bichon that smiled. It was the first time I had worked with this pet and he was recovering from anesthesia wrapped up in a blanket. All I saw every time I approached his kennel was him showing me his teeth. I asked co-worker for help getting vitals they instantly open the kennel door, tossed out the blanket and scooped him up. At that point I could see his tail wagging and the big grin on his face. He was a super sweet boy.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

Just one? I love that they’re so trusting. Let’s face it we do some pretty scary things to them, all for a good cause, but scary none the less and they trust us no matter what.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF WORKING AT PINE CREEK?

I love how knowledgeable all the staff is and that everyone truly seems to want to be the best at what they do.

WHAT WAS THE MOST GRATIFYING THING THAT YOU EXPERIENCED WHILE WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY?

(Is there a specific pet/ owner that you helped that sticks out in your mind?)  We helped a blind client with her seeing eye dog that had a chronic ear infection. Eventually, he got a TECA. The whole process was very rewarding.

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT OR RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND AWARDS?

I’m am now licensed in 2 states as a CVT.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO IN COLORADO?

Unfortunately, we’ve lived here for less than a year and have a 2 year old and five month old. We haven’t gotten to see much of Colorado.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN COLORADO?

Sleeping in my bed.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO COLORADO?

My husband’s military career. Even though we didn’t have a choice coming here we really do love it here.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLORADO ACTIVITIES?

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo it makes the whole family happy.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HIKE?

Hiking to bed at night.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE COLORADO SIGHT?

Garden of the Gods is beautiful but we haven’t gotten to see much else.

HOW MANY 14-ERS HAVE YOU HIKED?

0.

Veterinary Technician

Amber Tricarico

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Technically San Diego, California, but I grew up in Colorado.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Dogs, sloths, cows.

HOBBIES

Hiking, gardening, exploring new places, watching Titanic, and spending time with family.

WHAT ARE YOUR PETS AND WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?

I have a Basset Hound, her name is Molly Brown.

FUNNIEST MEMORY FROM WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

I had a patient who was so excited to see me, that without failure, would pee on me every time. He couldn’t control himself. He’s a ham. 

WHAT WAS THE MOST GRATIFYING THING THAT YOU EXPERIENCED WHILE WORKING IN THIS INDUSTRY?

(Is there a specific pet/ owner that you helped that sticks out in your mind?)  There are a few patients that come to mind. Too many stories to pick from just one. So I’ll list their names instead. Bear, Brucie, Clarkey, Raja, and Jasmine. Each one of these patients holds such a special place in my heart.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

I think my favorite part about working with animals is not only showering them with unconditional love, but also getting to bond with their owners over the mutual love we have for our pets.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO IN COLORADO?

Adventure around in the mountains. Taking a day drive to Cripple Creek.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HIKE?

It’s a tie between Mount Muscoco or Raspberry Mountain.

Veterinary Technician

Colton Matthews

FAVORITE ANIMALS?

My favorite animals are an Australian shepherd, green iguana, and a blue and gold macaw.

HOBBIES?

I enjoy mountain biking, skiing, and just about anything that deals with being outdoors.

PETS?

My pets are Mushu the bearded dragon, Ariel the sugar glider, and Butch the chuweenie.

AWARDS?

Perfect attendance award for six months straight.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

How extraordinarily tough they can be. And I love seeing how passionate some of the owners are about their animals and how they really do treat them as family.

FAVORITE COLORADO ACTIVITIES?

Hike, go to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, or go to Manitou Springs.

FAVORITE COLORADO SIGHT?

Looking out at Colorado Springs from Gold Camp Road or the tops of Pike’s Peak.

Veterinary Technician

Jadyn Toogood

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Colorado Springs, CO

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

APEX College of Veterinary Technology

FAVORITE ANIMAL?

Hyena

PETS?

I have a 3 yr old chihuahua mix named Peanut

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY?

Spending time with my dog

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNACK

Chips and salsa

FUNNIEST MEMORY FROM WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

One day a tech asked if I could bring some water to a room he was in. I automatically got a bowl of water for the dog and he meant bottled water for the owners. Oops!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF WORKING AT PINE CREEK?

Everyone’s great attitude and hard work ethic. It’s more like family then it is coworkers and I love working with every single one of them. I truly do have the best role models here at Pine Creek. The clients and patients also make it so worth it

MOST GRATIFYING THING ABOUT WORKING AS A VET?

Being able to help nurse an animal back to health and watch how hard our doctors work to help these pets feel better. It’s such a sweet feeling when a really sick patient finally starts to feel better and you get the tail wag or purr when they see you

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH ANIMALS?

Giving animals a good experience and earning their trust

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO IN COLORADO?

Be in the sun!!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN COLORADO?

Devils Punch Bowl & The Maroon Bells in Aspen Zapata Falls

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HIKE?

The 8-hour hike to Conundrum Hot Springs

FAVORITE COLORADO SIGHT?

La Veta pass in the fall

FAVORITE COLORADO ACTIVITIES?

Swim