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About the Veterinarian

Dr. Donald Thompson

Dr. Donald Thompson, owner of Elk Park Animal Hospital, grew up on a registered Holstein-Friesian dairy farm with nine siblings on the Canadian border of New York. In 1984, he graduated from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and began a large and small animal practice in Vermont until selling that Northeastern practice in 2012 to relocate to Pagosa Springs.

 

Many years ago, his training in acupuncture and herbal medicine began and has flourished as an important facet of day-to-day practice here in Southwestern Colorado. Elk Park Animal Hospital is a truly integrative veterinary practice, utilizing traditional Western medicine and surgery as well as complementary diagnostic and treatment modalities appropriate on a case-by-case basis. Dr. Thompson has had the opportunity to lecture in China and has authored professional articles and textbook chapters related to both acupuncture and herbal medicine. In addition,Dr. Thompson regularly teaches at the famed Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in Florida.

 

Dr. Thompson has utilized acupuncture and herbal medicine on horses, cattle, dogs, cats, llamas, alpacas, rabbits, pet birds and chickens. These modalities open the door to many therapeutic options for a variety of species. Let us know if you have questions on how we might be able to help with your pet or ranch animals.

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Meet Our Team

About: TeamMember

Natascha

Practice Manager

Natascha was born in Copenhagen, Denmark where her love for animals started. She went to an English riding school and after moving to Pagosa at the age of 12 she got her own horse. She has since studied natural horsemanship and animal behavior. Natascha is practice manager by trade and hopes to further her education in equine medicine. 

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Tonya

Veterinary Receptionist

Originally from Michigan, Tonya moved out to Colorado after graduating from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in 1996. She lived in Boulder and Greeley until her and her husband found their dream property here in Pagosa Springs. In 2017, They made the leap and relocated to this beautiful mountain town. Tonya currently has an Australian Shepherd/Terrier mix named Lily and is fostering two kittens, Winter and Fall. With her background in customer service combined with her love and appreciation for animals, her previous work experience has provided her with the foundation on which to build new experiences in the field of animal care as a veterinary receptionist. She enjoys connecting with clients and their pets and values being part of the dynamic team at Elk Park Animal Hospital.

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Blane

Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

Blane moved to Pagosa Springs from the post oak savannah of Central Texas in 2019. After several fruitful years in construction and development, Blane took the midlife career change plunge and started at EPAH in fall of 2021.

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Halle

Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

Halle is a recent resident of Pagosa Springs. She graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland with a degree in Biology. Prior to working at Elk Park, Halle worked with Operation Wallacea in Mexico working in wildlife conservation. She also worked at Houston Methodist Research Institute on animal behavior research. 

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Sam

Kennel Tech/Receptionist

Sam joined the Elk Park Animal Hospital team in December 2021. His love of animals began with his family's first dog Annie, and it now continues on to his family's two dogs, Dasha and Ace, and cat Wednesday. Outside of work he enjoys cooking and you may catch a glimpse of him onstage in one of Curtains Up Pagosa's productions.

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