Dr. Jeff Bracht
January 20th, 2020 by Justin Vandeberghe
Hometown:
I was raised in Southern California, but I’ve also lived in Hawaii, Delaware, North Carolina, Maryland and Nicaragua. I’m happy to now call Colorado home.
My Pet Family:
When I lived in Nicaragua, I had a menagerie of pets because everybody brought every sick animal to the local veterinarian. Our family had two cats, two dogs, two parrots, two turtles (are you seeing a trend here? My son’s name is literally Noah – no joke!), one monkey, one iguana and countless geckos, cockroaches and ants, if you can call them pets.
Sadly, we had to leave the little zoo behind when we moved, and we look forward to collecting again.
Right now, we have a chinchilla, and we’re looking for a kitten.
When I’m Not at Cherished Companions, You’ll Find Me…
Exploring new places in Colorado with my family. I especially like to get out and go backpacking… “Pack it in. Pack it out.”
My Education:
I received my Bachelor’s of Animal Science degree from the University of Delaware, and I studied veterinary medicine at North Carolina State University. Go Pack!
Why I Became a Vet:
Like most veterinarians, it was a childhood dream that never went away. I’ve continued to be attracted to the profession because I’ve grown to see how I can serve and care for people while I’m caring for their pets.
My Role at Cherished Companions:
I want to engage in a conversation with you. I want to hear all of your concerns regarding the health of your pet. And then, I want us to come up with a diagnostic and treatment plan that we all agree is the best and most reasonable approach. This process is unique to each pet.
Greatest Thing About Working With Animals:
The puppies and kittens… Enough said. I enjoy those times when we can achieve an accurate diagnosis and the cure is straightforward.
Favorite Compliment from a Customer:
I was 26 years old at the time. I had been a veterinarian for a full four days when an elderly woman brought her beloved poodle in for an examination. This lovely woman looked me up and down and then said, “Sweet dear, I have underwear older than you!” That was a long time ago, and it’s now rare that I’m confused with a 26-year-old pair of underwear.
Special Expertise:
I really enjoy soft tissue surgery, and on the days that I perform surgeries, I get to wear my pajamas (aka scrubs) to work. Bonus! I also have some additional training in ophthalmology and enjoy seeing those eyes.
Dr. Christin
January 20th, 2020 by Justin Vandeberghe
Hometown:
Monument, CO
My Pet Family:
I have a weakness for Golden Retrievers having grown up with them my whole life. Mesa is definitely a Colorado dog. He loves to go running and hiking with me. My two blacks cats, Nina and Soot, would rather stay inside and wander from one sun beam to the next in-between meals.
When I’m Not at Cherished Companions, You’ll Find Me…
When I’m not at the clinic you can find me either outside running, bicycling, or hiking. If the end of any of these excursions happens to be a brewery or winery where I can sit outside with Mesa, it’s purely coincidence. However, when the weather is poor or I just can’t seem to find the motivation, you can find me curled up with a book (or IPAD) covered by Nina and Soot.
My Education:
I received my Bachelor’s of Animal Science degree from the University of New Hampshire. Then, I went on to receive my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Colorado State University.
Why I Became a Vet:
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Me: “I want to be an animal doctor!”
“A Veterinarian?”
Me: “Yeah!”
I guess I never grew out of that phase…
My Role at Cherished Companions:
I am one of the veterinarians on staff.
Favorite Compliment from a Customer:
“Woof, Woof!” with a lick to the face.
Dr. Melanie
January 20th, 2020 by Justin Vandeberghe
Hometown:
Mt. Vernon, Indiana
My Pet Family:
I’ve had five dogs and several cats over the past 25 years. My dogs have included an Irish setter named Rosie, a Belgian sheep dog cross named Scooter, a yellow lab named Ranger, a black lab named Maggie, and a Rhodesian ridgeback cross named Kenny.
My current cat is Hidey, and she will be 21 years old soon.
Our latest edition is Rebel who we adopted from the German Shepherd Rescue.
Favorite Story about My Pets:
Both Scooter and Ranger loved the water and would ride on wave runners with my husband and me.
When I’m Not at Cherished Companions, You’ll Find Me…
I enjoy hiking (especially in the mountains), skiing, old movies and following Purdue’s basketball teams.
My Education:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University.
Why I Became a Vet:
My family tells me I always wanted to be a veterinarian. In high school and college, I enjoyed science classes, so I researched careers where I could pursue more science classes. I narrowed it down to human and veterinary medicine, and I decided on veterinary medicine because I thought it would be more challenging and fulfilling. It has been!
My Role at Cherished Companions:
I’m the owner of Cherished Companions and one of the veterinarians on staff. I provide every service a veterinarian can, except for orthopedic surgery. I especially enjoy soft tissue surgery and dental surgery.
Greatest Thing About Working with Animals:
I thoroughly enjoy each and every dog and cat I see, and I strive to decrease their stress as much as I possibly can. I also am immensely blessed to be a voice for the voiceless!
Favorite Compliment from a Customer:
My dog loves coming in and seeing you!
Special Expertise:
In November 2014, I finished a two-year course and was certified in pet ultrasounds and echocardiography. I also took Tony Woodward’s two-day course in veterinary dentistry.