How long in the field: More than 30 years

Background and Schooling: Richard is a 1987 graduate of Colorado State University with his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.  He began working as an associate veterinarian for Austin Bluffs Animal Clinic in Colorado Springs from 1988 to present.

Favorite part of the job: Richard continues to enjoy the challenges and rewards of veterinary medicine and has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, anesthesia and pain management as well as geriatric medicine.

My own pets: Richard has two Sharpeis

Outside of work: Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family and pets and taking trips to the east coast for ocean fishing.  He is also an amateur photographer with Houndog Photography.

How long at ABAC: Started on 4/21/2018

How long in the field: 8 years (Graduated May 2010)

Background and Schooling: Grew up in Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs. Manitou Springs High School grad (2002). BS in Zoology and Doctor of Vet Medicine from Colorado State University (both in 2010, long story…). Worked ~ 8 years as an ophthalmology student technician at CSU. Also was raised by wolves (1000+ volunteer hours over 8 years at a Wolf and Wolf-dog sanctuary near Fort Collins, CO).

Favorite part of the job: I love preventative medicine because I love teaching. Though I don’t get the opportunity to teach Veterinary students anymore, I love the chance to teach people things they may not have known about their pets.

My own pets: One very spoiled Great Pyrenees mix dog named Mistaya (Misty for short).

Hobbies outside of work: Handyman- I love to build/repair/create things (woodworking, classic VW tinkering, etc). Collector (pronounced “Hoarder”)- I love garage sailing/ thrift store shopping, especially looking for 1980’s toys. Gamer (pronounced “Geek or Nerd”)- I love tabletop gaming with friends.

How long at ABAC: Started at ABAC 2017.

How long in the field: I graduated from University College Dublin, Ireland in 1996. I practiced there for 4 years in a mixed animal practice and also worked with marine mammals. I moved to Colorado in 2001 and received my Colorado Veterinary License in 2002.

Favorite part of the job: I enjoyed working in a mixed animal practice for 15 years before deciding to concentrate on dogs and cats by moving to ABAC.

What I love about ABAC: I enjoy getting to know my patient’s families and being able to provide lifetime care from puppy or kittenhood to the end of life. I have a special fondness for geriatric dogs and cats. I love that at ABAC we can provide a friendly, welcoming environment combined with top-notch medical and surgical expertise.

My own pets: I live in the country with my husband 3 kids 3 dogs 5 cats 3 horses 2 donkeys and 5 chickens.

Outside of work: I love to dance and listen to live music. My favourite place to be is on horseback.

How long at ABAC: Since 2001

How long in the field: Since 2001

Background and Schooling: Brian is a 2001 graduate of Bel Rea Institute of Veterinary Technology with an associate’s degree.

Favorite part of the job: Brian works hard at client rapport.

My own pets: Brian enjoys hunting with his German Wirehair Pointer Dillinger and taking his lab mix Lola on walks around his neighborhood.

Hobbies: His interests include outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing as well as watching hockey. Go Avs!

How long at ABAC: Started on 8/27/2018

How long in the field: 2 years (Graduated October of 2016)

Background and Schooling: Born and raised in Colorado Springs. Was a 3rd generation graduate from William J. Palmer High School in 2014, completed the CVA program at PIMA in 2016. I hope to go back to school to become a DVM. I’ve always wanted to be a vet since I was little.

Favorite part of the job: I love seeing the pets walk out of the clinic healthy and happy. I started out in this field in emergency and way too often I didn’t see that. I love that I’m also still constantly learning new ways to help animals.

What I love about ABAC: I love how chill the environment is. I love that the doctors and techs are willing to take their time to teach me new things. Everyone is so friendly here.

My own pets: I’ve always had several pets in my house. Currently I have a spoiled Siamese cat named Kinzey, a crazy rescue mutt (Australian Cattle Dog/Chow Chow) named Koda, a fat potato guinea pig named George, and a mellow Red Eared Slider named Tily.

Outside of work: I’ve always been captivated by nature. I try to escape to the mountains whenever I can. I also really love photography, specifically in nature. I always have my camera with me ready to capture any gorgeous sight that Colorado will give me.

How long at ABAC: I have been with ABAC since May 2020.

How long in the field: I have been working as a veterinary receptionist/ assistant for about a year.

Background and Schooling: I attended Pima medical institute for the CVA program and completed my externship at the Humane Society in July 2019. I hope to return to school in the near future to become a fully trained CVT.

Favorite part of the job: My favorite part of the job is the opportunities I get to connect with our clients and their pets. And learning from my peers on better ways to help our patients and our clients’ needs. 

My own pets: I have 1 spoiled dog named Chip. However, I live with 3 other dogs and a cat. 

Hobbies outside of work: Hiking, camping, off-roading, and spending time with my family

How long at ABAC: Since 2017

How long in the field: I’ve been in the veterinary field since 2008

Background and Schooling: Bachelors in business

Favorite part of the job: I love interacting with the clients and meeting all the wonderful pets that come in.

What I love about ABAC: The best part of my job is seeing pets grow up from their first puppy or kitten visit and well into their adult years.

My own pets: I have two dogs, a Standard poodle, a German shepherd and two cats, a Ragdoll and a special needs domestic shorthair due to a leg injury. 

Outside of work: I enjoy going to the beach.

How long in the field: I have been in the veterinary field for about three years total.

Background and schooling: I went to Red Rocks community college where I received an AA degree and then started work on my Psychology degree at Metropolitan State University. I only have two semesters left and I will be finishing at UCCS.

Favorite part of the job: I ended up working in the veterinary field by complete chance but I love it so much. My favorite part of the job is solving problems for our clients and making their lives easier. I love being able to turn someone’s day around. Our pets are like family and I know how hard it is when they aren’t feeling well. I’m glad I’m at a job where I can see a pet’s entire life turn around. Also, petting all the cute animals isn’t so bad either!

My own pets: I have a 9 year old border collie named Rilo that I adopted when he was only 8 weeks old. He’s the sweetest, calmest Border Collie you’ll ever meet! Since moving to the springs I have acquired my fiance’s pets as well. A fluffy 3 year old cat named Munchlax and a 12 year old Puggle named Frisco!

Hobbies outside of work: When I’m not at work or doing school work, I love hanging out with my husband, reading and re-watching the Office on Netflix. I also love going to the beach (although I only get to do that once a year). It really is too bad that Colorado is a landlocked state.

How long at ABAC: Since Nov 2020

How long in the field: 1 year and 3 months

Background and schooling: Was in the U.S. Army from 2013 to 2017 and started Veterinary technician school in 2018 and graduated from CAVT March 2020.

Favorite part of the job: My favorite part of the job is between being helpful in surgery, or meeting cats, even the feisty ones!

My own pets: I have 7 pets total. Loki a Rottie mix who is my heart dog (pictured) then there is Marvel and Gambit who are my other two dogs both APBT mixes. Then it’s Rouge a calico who is my heart cat, Simba my dilute orange boy, Nightcrawler my adventurous cat (pictured), and Elsa my talkative Siamese.

Hobbies outside of work: My hobbies are playing video games, rewatching Shrek or Mulan, going on walks downtown or in Manitou, and hanging out with my husband and pets.