After 30 years in private veterinary practice in Northern Vermont, Dr. Donald Thompson relocated to Pagosa Springs and acquired Elk Park Animal Hospital in 2013. Dr. Thompson began his lifelong relationship with animals, both large and small, on his parent’s Registered Holstein-Friesian dairy farm with his nine siblings near the Canadian border in Northern New York. A 1984 graduate of the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, he is a true mixed animal practitioner, treating pets, horses, cattle and camelids.
Dr. Thompson began integrating acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine into his general practice in 2003 after becoming certified in both specialties by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society as well as by the Chi University of Traditional Chinese veterinary Medicine. Since that beginning, he has been named Fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, lectured to veterinary practitioners and students in China three times, as well as at the Chi University in Florida and various schools of Veterinary Medicine. He is a contributing author to Chinese Medicine reference textbooks published by the Chi University for use by practitioners throughout the world.
Dr. Thompson has introduced additional complementary treatment modalities to the Elk Park holistic medicine armamentarium, including cold laser therapy, medical ozone therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field microcurrent therapy via the Assisi Loop, many modalities of which are unique to the region. It is this multimodal approach and its integration with traditional Western medical and surgical therapy that drives Dr. Thompson’s success and Elk Park Animal Hospital’s growth in a competitive veterinary market. From horses to alpacas and cattle to dogs and cats, all species can benefit from this therapeutic approach, utilizing what best suits each individual patient for optimal results.
The staff of Elk Park Animal Hospital knows that every pet and ranch caregiver has many veterinary clinic options available to choose between in Southwestern Colorado. We deeply appreciate the loyalty of our existing clientele and look forward to the opportunity to assist those patients that we have not yet met.