Rachel Nichols, D.V.M.
Veterinarian, Owner
Dr Rachel Nichols grew up on a cattle ranch in the Big Hole Valley in Montana. She received a B.S. in Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology from Arizona State University in 2005 and her D.V.M. from Colorado State University in 2009. Prior to moving to Ridgway she has worked in a number of practices in the Denver area, and has also done work in Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, Mexico, Australia, and the Philippines. She and her husband enjoy hiking, down hill skiing, the Ouray Via Ferrata, and sharing our home with too many pets.
Emma Kline, D.V.M.
Veterinarian
Dr. Emma Kline grew up in rural northern NJ. She earned a B.A in Biology from Vassar College and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023. After graduation, she worked at a practice in Grand Junction for a year before deciding to move to the mountains. She is passionate about minimally invasive and orthopedic surgery and enjoys dental procedures and emergency medicine. Dr. Kline is trained in laparoscopic surgery and performs laparoscopic spays, cryptorchid neuters, gastropexies and biopsies. She has a background in poultry medicine and is more than happy to see chickens and other farm animals. In her free time, she enjoys long distance trail running, cross country skiing, hiking, and playing fiddle tunes or classical music on her violin.
Bob Doak, D.V.M.
Veterinarian
Dr. Bob Doak grew up in Los Angeles, CA and attended Veterinary School at the University of California at Davis. After practicing in Southern California and Scottsdale for 5 years he moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1993. Bob practiced for 5 years before receiving his MBA from the University of New Mexico. He spent 18 months as chief medical officer at the Humane Association New Mexico before moving from practice to management with VCA Animal Hospitals. He retired from VCA in 2021 and is now practicing two days a week with Dr. Nichols and her excellent team! He and his wife Dorothy of 37 years hang out with Annebelle, their 11 year old Black lab mix rescue dog.
Nikki S., Lead Technician, RVT
Nikki was born and raised on the coast of Connecticut. She got her first job at a veterinary clinic at the age of 14 and didn’t look back! After high school, she moved to Boston and then to Utah where she worked with all creatures from exotics to livestock. After many years in Moab, she then moved to Durango which ultimately led her to settle in Ouray County, CO. Nikki enjoys living a simple, off-grid lifestyle with her partner Justin, 3 dogs (Willow, Twig, Fred) and cat (Mayonnaise). In her spare time, she likes to hike, mountain bike, trail run and ski. She is also passionate about plant/wildlife identification, mushroom hunting, and any activity that includes being on the water! Nikki is looking forward to developing her land into a small, sustainable homestead and is extremely grateful to call these mountains her forever home.
Dawn, RVT
Dawn is a Colorado native, and has had over 30 years of experience in the veterinary field. She obtained her certification in 1994, after attending both Mesa State College in Grand Junction and Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs. She has also taken other pre veterinary medicine courses and continuing education courses through the years to keep current on the newest advances. She has formerly held board positions for the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians, including Ethics Committee Chair and Vice President for 2 terms. In 2012, she was awarded the CVMA Technician of the year for the state of Colorado.
In addition to working at Ridgway Animal Hospital, Dawn has an incredibly busy pet sitting business. She also helps with spay and neuter clinics on the Indian Reservations monthly, and has traveled to Ecuador and Colombia with Soul Dog Rescue for spay and neuter programs. She is an advocate for the prevention of more unwanted animals. In addition to her small animal work, she has experience with large animals, exotics, and birds of prey.
In her limited free time, Dawn enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, reading, hiking and traveling. She also enjoys attending concerts and plays, both locally and throughout the western slope.
Dina, RVT
Dina was born and raised in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley before deciding to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She moved to Denver in 2004 to attend Bel-Rea institute and earned her CVT in 2006. She had been a tech n the Denver area, most recently at a very busy 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, before escaping the hectic city life and relocating to beautiful Ridgway in 2018.
She enjoys her cases, but especially internal medicine, geriatrics, and dentistry.
In her spare time, Dina may be a little obsessed with yarn and all the fun things to do with it, as well as mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cuddling at home with her two dogs, Cody and Rocco, and her husband, Gary.
Tima, RVT
Fatima or “Tima” was born and raised about 30 minutes from Ridgway in Montrose, Colorado. She has always been a huge animal lover. Growing up she had just about every type of pet from birds and rodents to horses. She also loved to care for and feed stray cats in her neighborhood and always knew she would work with animals in the future.
Right after graduating high-school, she moved to Colorado Springs where she completed an A.A.S degree in Veterinary Technology. Shortly after she enrolled into Colorado State University and is currently pursuing a B.S in General Psychology with a minor in Spanish, she will graduate in 2025.
She plans to move back home to settle down in the next year. Although she is not sure exactly what she will do, she is both passionate about mental health and veterinary medicine and hopes to find a balance working in both fields in the future.
During her free time, you can find Tima outside hiking, fly fishing, gardening, camping, or spending time with friends and family.
Corina, RVT
Corina grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is a west coast girl to her core. After serving almost 10 years in the Army, she spent some time in Phoenix where she received her Associate of Science Degree as a Veterinary Technician. She is currently working on her bachelor’s degree and hopes to further her education in the veterinary field. Corina has a passion for dogs and is absolutely adores the boxer breed. She fell in love with a female boxer named Bailey while working at a veterinary clinic in Phoenix and later fell in love with Bailey’s dad Nick. Nick and Corina soon adopted a second dog, Olympia and moved to Ouray in 2019. Corina loves to travel and will take a road trip at the drop of a hat, preferably to a warm, sandy beach or someplace humid with lots of trees.
Alicia, Veterinary Assistant
Alicia is new to the industry and pursuing more knowledge and training because of a love for animals. She has been caring for all kinds of pets growing up and has a passion to help every animal in need. Bulldogs and donkeys hold a special place in her heart and always brighten her smile when she gets to spend time with them. Outside of the clinic, you will catch Alicia exploring nature, reading a good book or paddle boarding.
Nikki H., Veterinary Assistant
I am Southern born and raised but have been in Ridgway for over 3 years. My husband and I have fallen in love with the rustic, off the beaten path of Ridgway and can’t imagine any other greater place to reside. We live on a small ranch with our 2 sons, 3 miniature donkeys, 6 goats, 3 dogs, and a cat. It’s quite the funny farm! When I’m not chasing animals, I enjoy singing and playing the piano. I also decorate, cater, manage property, and serve as a youth leader in my church. It’s a busy life, but we are blessed and wouldn’t have it any other way!
Jess N., Veterinary Assistant
Jess was raised in Columbia, MO, before moving to Austin, TX for her high school and collegiate years. After several family vacations and eventually falling in love with the mountains, the next move was made to Ridgway in 2015. Once there, she acquired a job at the Town of Ridgway in administration for the next eight years, consequently meeting her husband, Steven, shortly after starting the position. Eventually she was ready for a career change: following a life-long passion of working with animals. Every day is a new learning experience as she enjoys connecting with people through their furry friends. With a penchant for reading, spending time with her husband and their horde of animals, along with several other hobbies, there is rarely a dull moment.
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