Meet the Team atElk Park Animal Hospital

Veterinarian

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.

Veterinary Assistant

Born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark where her love for animals started. She went to an English riding school. After moving to Pagosa in 2006, she got her own horse, an American Quarter Horse. She has since adopted a dog, two cats and rescued two more horses. The newest addition is a green 6-year-old mustang, which she is currently training.

Natascha became a mother last year and is teaching her son to also love animals. She has studied Natural Horsemanship and animal behavior, and is a veterinary assistant by trade with 5 years of experience at Elk Park. She hopes to further her education in equine health.

CSR

Erin grew up on St. Simons Island, Georgia and moved out to Crested Butte, Colorado right after College to enjoy skiing, hiking and being in nature in the Rocky Moutains.  Erin has lived all over Colorado and moved to Pagosa Springs 2 years ago and loves hiking with her 3 dogs in the beautiful San Juan Wilderness.   Growing up she always had dogs and cats and this love for animals continued over into her passion for working at Veterinary Clinics, in which she was able to work in an environment that provides medical support and loving care for animals.  Having a personal interest in Alternative Medicine, Erin was drawn to Elk Park Animal Hospital where Dr. Thompson practices Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine as well as Western Medicine.  She has worked as a Client Support Representative for the past 10 years at various Veterinarian Clinics in Colorado.

I’m a Colorado mountain girl through and through. At 14 years old I was uprooted by my family from my home city, Pueblo, Colorado, to beautiful Pagosa Springs. This was a decision I resented, and being so young, you think your life is over. I didn’t realize how much Pagosa would impact my life and shape me into who I am today. Without the Colorado mountains, I feel like my life would have looked much different than where I am now. I’ve been an animal enthusiast for as long as I could remember, and my biggest passion has always been helping animals. My three biggest inspirations are Steve Irwin, Jeff Corwin, and Kevin Richardson. All who have made huge impacts on the animal kingdom with their passions for animal conservation and preservation of many endangered species. They have brought awareness and education across the globe. I grew up obsessed with Animal Planet and documentaries and would daydream that maybe one day I’d be out in the field working with wild animals and making an impact on lives. I have worked on a bachelor’s degree in animal health and behavior, hoping to fulfill my biggest dream of working in a zoo with exotic animals, mainly big cats.

While I’m not working with animals here at the clinic, I enjoy doing photography, painting, and enjoying good ol’ Pagosa Springs and all its wildlife. I spend almost all my free time tending to my small homestead of chickens, geese, guinea fowl, ducks, rabbits, and turkeys. I have three great dogs and twelve amazing cats, one ball Python and one eastern box turtle. I’m proud of myself and how far I have come in my career with animals, and I look forward to pursuing my dreams even further by helping the community’s fur babies!