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 (11) and Maggie (7) 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 :)!

Animals have been a part of my life since I was a child. My first dog was a retired sled dog from Alaska. We explored the woods of Alaska and I have many fond memories of her pulling me on a sled. This was my first experience of the value of the human-animal bond. Since then, the importance of animals in my life has continued to grow.

I spent my college years at Dickinson college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where I earned a bachelor of science in physics. I then spent 4 years working in the nuclear energy industry at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington and then at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Washington D.C.

After four years in the nuclear industry, I decided to make a career change and followed my passion for animals to veterinary school. I graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Since then I have been practicing small animal medicine in the greater Denver area. General practice has two very important parts. One is treating the animal in the best way possible. This can range from running tests to performing surgery to prescribing medications. The second is to preserve the bond between the pet and their person. This means establishing a relationship with not only the pet, but also their owner so we can make the best possible decision for their pet.

Apart from veterinary medicine, I enjoy all things outdoors. This includes mountain biking, road biking, running, hiking, and camping. I share a home with my husband and daughter, and four dogs (Dixie, Zipp, Naners, and Cricket).

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.

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 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.

Living my life as a Native to Colorado I have always loved the outdoors. As a kid I was outside lifting up rocks to find what insects I could find underneath, climbing trees to see what was above, and was exploring outside to find any living thing to play with or nurture back to health. I always knew that the Veterinary field was my calling. I made the choice to go to Bel Rea Institute of Animal of Technology in 1997 to get my Veterinary Technician Degree. I started as a Veterinary Assistant during school until I graduated and became a technician. I have worked in multiple Veterinary hospitals and Specialized in many areas of medicine also including the variety of species. I have 2 amazing children that are my world, Jada is 11 and Brody is 8. We have 2 dogs, “Mojo” and “Riker”, 1 cat, “Bandit” and can’t forget “Poulet” our Ball Python. I love to make everyday a new day and live them to the fullest and can’t wait to share it with all of you at Golden Paws Animal Hospital.

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.

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.

I was born and raised in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I have always gravitated to wildlife and animals, dreaming of becoming a game ranger, marine biologist or even a wildlife photographer. I was always at my happiest being surrounded by my pets and often went on excursions into the “bushveld” in search of the creatures that were so abundant in Africa. My experience in Kitchen Design led me into a career of customer service and retail since 2011. I arrived in the States in 2008 and met my husband the next year. We have since then shared our love for our 4-legged children. We moved to Golden in March 2018 and together with our dog Katie we have had a great time exploring and enjoying the outdoors! I am very excited and look forward to my new adventures and experiences at Golden Paws Animal Hospital.