Dr. Sam Lane
I vividly remember Dr. Marcus' brown, wood-paneled station wagon pulling up into our driveway to pay our Labrador retriever, Stormy, a visit. He looked like the classic old school veterinarian making house calls to examine and treat his patients. He had thick gray hair and wore a traditional white lab coat that cut off just beyond his beltline. After exchanging pleasantries with my mom, he examined Stormy, administered her vaccines and retrieved a sample of blood. Years later, I graduated from veterinary school at the University of Missouri in 2002 and traveled to Wheat Ridge to complete their coveted internship. For several years, I worked with some of the best doctors at the best hospitals in the Denver area. I honed my skills in surgery and medicine and learned how to use the many tools in our profession including ultrasound, laparoscopy, and digital radiography. Then, I was recruited by Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis), the largest Animal Health company in the world. I served as a technical advisor and educator on their many innovative treatments for dogs and cats. We introduced new cutting edge treatments for pet allergies. We created the best medicines to stop vomiting, itching and even anxieties due to fireworks. Now at Golden Paws, I want to bring all of these experiences together. I want to be your neighborhood veterinarian, like Dr. Marcus was for my family. In addition, I want to deliver the highest quality medicine for which my experience and training has prepared me. My wife, Amber, and I along with my daughters Hannah and Maggie thank you for allowing us to treat your furry family members. Tater Tot, our Golden Retriever, is also grateful as far as we can tell :)!
Dr. Sara Golubovich
I have always loved being around animals, and for as long as I can remember I wanted to be a veterinarian. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, some of my fondest memories were playing with our family dog, taking care of my bunnies, and hanging around our outdoor fishpond. My passion of caring for animals grew as I got older. After finishing a degree in Animal Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, I worked at a small-animal clinic in Chicago for a couple of years and received priceless mentorship that prepared me well for vet school. I moved to the east coast and earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. During my third year I adopted Millie, a mini goldendoodle who’s most fond of playing fetch, chasing squirrels, and sneaking in cuddles.
My favorite part of my job is nurturing the human-animal bond. I believe we as people can learn a lot from our pets about enjoying the simple things in life. It is my goal to provide the highest quality veterinary care to help pets live their healthiest and happiest lives. As a veterinarian who is Fear Free Certified, I strive to make each visit a positive experience.
When I am not at the hospital, I love spending time hiking, exploring new restaurants, traveling, and, of course, spending time with Millie.
Chris Cowan
Ever since I was young growing up in Salt Lake City, I have been drawn to animals and wanted to find a career in which I could contribute to their well-being. I graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. After several years in the workforce, I decided to attend Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. After completing my studies, I worked for a short time in Washington State in a small animal hospital. Missing Colorado, I returned and worked for a busy small animal practice for the past eleven years. The greatest joy I find as a technician is seeing our animal family members reunite with their loved ones after recovering from an illness. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, golfing, spending time with family and friends, my little Schnauzer Joe and flying my RC airplanes. I am very excited to work with Dr. Sam and to be part of the team at Golden Paws Animal Hospital.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Dr. French Aguirre-Wong
I truly believe I have the best job in the world. To be able to work with humans and animals everyday is a delight, not to mention the fact that the veterinary profession touches everything—farming, textiles, sports, companion animals, and even human medicine. They all depend on a veterinarian to make sure animals are in good health. I love how diverse one job can be and how closely it ties us to animals.
Though I didn’t always know I wanted to be a vet, I first attended the University of Denver for a BA in Ecology. Then, after four years of curating plants at the Denver Botanic Garden and the University of Denver Arboretum, I realized I had to fulfill my true passion. I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University where my special interests became ophthalmology, dentistry, orthopedics, and surgery.
My mission with Golden Paws is to share my knowledge with clients so that we can improve the quality of life for our companion animals and make this care part of daily routine. I’d like to show you how fascinating our profession truly is.
When I am not practicing medicine as Dr. French, you can usually find me rock climbing at one of the many crags here in Colorado or in Indian Creek Utah.
Mitch Puerling
Mitch started her career in California, where she got a job at a dog boarding facility while attending college as a Child Development major. She fell in love with the dogs, switched to grooming school with Animal Behavioral College, and never looked back. After completing her training, she continued to work for the boarding facility while also working at the local Humane Society as a groomer. Upon moving to Golden in 2016, she began work as a full-time groomer. She currently lives with her fiancé and has two standard Poodles, an old Lab, and a cat. She specializes in haircuts for dogs with curly coats, but does well with all breeds.
Mitch started working with dogs in 2010 at a California dog boarding facility. She began grooming soon after, learning through Animal Behavioral College. Specialties include fearful dogs, and breeds with curly coats. She and her fiancé have two standard Poodles, an old Lab, and a cat.
Mitch works at our new Grooming @ Golden Paws location. Find her at www.groomgp.com.
Groomer
Holly Morris
Holly is a Colorado Native and started her animal career volunteering in shelter medicine. She graduated from PIMA medical institute as a Veterinary Assistant. She has 3 cats, Twiggy, Bingo and Mavis. She has 17 chickens, 3 ducks and a Guinea Pig. In her free time she spends time with her husband and her 8 year old daughter fishing, hunting, camping and relaxing at home.
Veterinary Assistant
Tammy Duffy
Tammy has lived in Colorado the majority of her life. She has been married now for 33 years. She has 2 adult children and 2 amazing grandchildren. Tammy graduated from Bel Rea Institute of Animal Technology in 1984. She became certified in 2007. During her free time she enjoys bowling, hiking, prospecting for gold and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Krista Ferndelli
I grew up in central Minnesota in a (quite sadly) pet-less household, even though there was no end to my requests to have animals! As soon as I moved out, I rectified that situation, and got a cat. Through almost two decades of experiences personally taking my pet to multiple veterinary practices since that time, I have learned that the right guidance and advice, an understanding of where I was coming from in my life, and honest communication without judgement was critical for me and my family in making the best decisions possible for our pets and our household. That household has grown to include a husband, 11 year old son and 8 year old daughter, who loved that cat (and continue to love all animals) as much as I. We all love taking our dog, Cayenne, out to experience the beauty of Colorado for bike rides, runs, mountain hikes, and to local breweries and baseball games.
My experience with Golden Paws - as a customer first - has been the easiest, best, most straightforward, and comfortable one for my family yet. I bring a degree in Communication from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, more than 15 years of strategic marketing, communications, and public relations accuity, and my passion for pets to Golden Paws. It is my personal mission to help ensure we deliver Golden Paws' unique quality veterinarian partnership to many more households in our local community. Because both people and pets deserve it.
Chief Connections Officer
Cortney Dixon
Originally from Seattle Washington, I have lived in Colorado for 6 years. After working in the spa/hospitality field as a director of spa and fitness and running logistics for a personal growth and development training company, I realized my calling was working in veterinary medicine. I have always loved anything and everything about animals and have been working in the field for about 5 years. The opportunity to work in one of the largest veterinary hospitals in the Colorado area for 3 years allowed me to learn and specialize in the emergency vet side of medicine. My experience supervising and having hands-on time with the animals has given me the best of both worlds, utilising my skills for both pets and owners. In my free time I enjoy being with "my boy" Leonidas, my American Bulldog mix.
Receptionist & Office Manager
Sarah Supall
I am a mother of a beautiful four year old girl named Anastasia and an oversized lap dog named Noel who is a pit/lab mix. My husband David and I are expecting a baby this November. I have always had a strong passion and love for animals, flying planes, and taking photographs. I’m also an avid thrill seeker, I enjoy snowboarding, camping, and anything outdoors. I currently attend Metropolitan State University of Denver in pursuit of my bachelors degree in Aviation Aerospace and Science. I’m also in the Navy reserves, where I get to work directly with planes and I am also a certified firefighter.
Receptionist
Sara Collison
I was born and raised in Wisconsin and graduated from a veterinary technology program in 2013. I have been involved in veterinary medicine since I was 14 years old when I started working for a local veterinary clinic in Neenah, WI in their boarding facility. This allowed me to see the exciting job of a technician first hand; I knew I wanted to be more involved in the hands on treatment of animals. To me, there is nothing better than watching a formerly sick patient trot out the door healthier and tail wagging! When I am not bustling about the clinic, I enjoy hiking and adventuring with my husband, napping with my two cats, and cheering for The Packers!
Certified Veterinary Technician
Vanda Black
I've been married for 33 years and have five grown children and seven grandkids. I've always had animals as a part of my life and family. I graduated from PIMA Medical Institute in 1995, and I’ve been a veterinary technician for over 23 years. I love the animals and the clients and I feel like it’s my life’s work to do my part in making sure all of the furry children stay healthy and happy.
Receptionist
Kalah May
Animals have always been an integral part of my life. Dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, parrots: all of these have been members of our family, loved and cherished as the furry or feathered personalities that they are, enriching our lives. Those bonds and relationships are some of the most rewarding and enriching experiences I have been privileged to be a part of.
My past work experience has been in accounting and bookkeeping, all in service-based industries. I have worked and lived in Colorado for over thirty years and continue to enjoy the diversity of the people as well as the natural landscapes. We live in an extraordinarily beautiful place.
I am excited to combine my customer service experience with the opportunity to help pet owners and their pets live their healthiest best lives. I feel the team here at Golden Paws are people who do that and am so happy to be here. In my free time I enjoy hiking trails in the foothills, dabble in stained glass art and am an enthusiastic scuba diver.
Receptionist
Maggie Nelson
I’m a Native to Colorado, and have been in the veterinary field since 1998. I graduated from Bel Rea in 2000 after going to school up at CSU for 2 years. Started up at CSU to work with Autistic and Down Syndrome children. I have been a technician and practice manager at several hospitals in my career and worked at some specialty hospitals such as Exotics and Ophthalmology.
I have three dogs, one cat, one Bearded Dragon, one Ball Python and a chinchilla, rats, hamsters and a guinea pig, fish and frogs. A complete zoo! I have two amazing children, Jada 13 and Brody 10. My wife is Nichol and I recently got married (July 2020). We love to be outside and in the Mountains, that’s why we live up here! We love to play games, fish and camp and hike.
I love medicine and love putting that together with helping the animals I have always loved.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Roxanne O'Connell
For as long as I can remember I have been surrounded by animals so naturally I pursued a career involving animals. I am originally from Wisconsin and graduated in 2011 with my vet tech degree. I have been in Colorado the past 7 years and love the laid back outdoorsy attitude here. My husband and I live in Black Hawk with our three senior dogs Rocko, Paul and Ted.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Carlene Krogh
I am a Colorado Native and have grown up with dogs and horses all my life. I graduated from Bel-Rea Institute in 1997 and have been a technician for many years and spent 6 years as a Hospital Manager.
I have three dogs, two Weimaraners (Shelby & Payton), one Boston Terrier (Libby). When I am not working I love to spend my time with them along with my husband Doug either relaxing at home, hiking, camping or working out. I also enjoy my new passion which is dog training.
Certified Veterinary Technician
