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 :)! Tomoko Jensen-Otsu, DVM 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). 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 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 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 Katie Gregory I have lived in Colorado since I was a kid, and have always loved animals. I grew up with dogs and horses, and knew very early on that I wanted to spend the rest of my life working with them in some capacity. My career thus far has been in private practice veterinary clinics, as well as a local 24-hour emergency hospital. In my spare time, I enjoy spending as much time with my family and friends as possible. I have a senior dog named Cooper, and I am entertaining the thought of getting him a new brother soon! Receptionist 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 Brandia Seymour I’m from Minnesota, and I attended Argosy university in the Twin Cities. I worked in Fargo ND for two years before moving to Colorado in 2016. I’ve always known I wanted to work with animals and became a Tech so I could do so, as doctors deal more with clients while I do more of the “care," such as placing catheters, drawing blood, monitoring anesthesia, etc. I enjoy reading, watching TV, being outside, playing video games, or just doing nothing in my free time! Certified Veterinary Technician Jess Reardon I was born and raised in Illinois before moving to “Colorful Colorado” in 2016, and I love living here with the family and our furrever family of pets. (We have two dogs and bunch of cats.) In my free time, I enjoy going to the mountains and exploring all of the fun things to do in Denver, and I am so excited to bring my love of animals to Golden Paws Animal Hospital! Receptionist Sarah Burton 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
