Our Staff
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Dr. Jim Houchens:
Dr. Houchens is native to Denver, and graduated from South Denver High School. He has been practicing in veterinary medicine for over 35 years. Dr. Houchens received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Colorado State University He received his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1976. In 1977 he joined the staff of Arvada Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Houchens also earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in psychology in 1997 from Metropolitan State College of Denver where he graduated with honors. He and his wife Sue, an elementary school teacher, enjoy traveling, movies, golf, the symphony and family excursions especially with their two grandsons Westin and Dylan.
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Dr. Kimberly May:
| Dr. May attended the University Cal Poly in Pomona in California and received her Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Science. She graduated from Colorado State University with a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 2003. She completed a rigorous internship at Wheat Ridge Veterinary Hospital, and then began practicing in the Denver area, until joining Arvada Veterinary Hospital in 2009. She enjoys getting to know her four legged patients and their humans, internal medicine, and learning the latest developments in veterinary medicine. She lives with her husband, 2 dogs, Spike and Macy, and 3 cats, George, Henry, and Leonard. She loves playing hockey, reading and traveling. |
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Dr. Susan Seethaler:
Dr. Seethaler graduated with honors from Colorado State University with a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1999, after receiving a mechanical engineering degree from Northern Arizona University. Susan worked in a Longmont small animal practice until she joined the Arvada Veterinary Hospital staff in February 2009. She lives in Arvada with her husband and their children, Jace and Channing . In her spare time, she enjoys biking, hiking, snowboarding, and gardening. They also share their home with their two pets, Newman and Clipper.
Dr. Alison Bokas:
Dr. Alison Bokas attended Michigan State University for undergraduate studies and then graduated in 2008 with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. She grew up in veterinary medicine, spending a lot of time at her father's veterinary hospital in Michigan. After graduation, Alison moved to Colorado and worked at a practice in Littleton until joining Arvada Veterinary Hospital in February 2011. She lives in Golden with her husband and dog Lucy. They enjoy hiking, skiing, rock climbing camping and traveling. Alison looks forward to meeting and building a relationship with you and your furry family members.
Kathy Jennings, Practice Manager:
Kathy has worked in the veterinary industry for 32 years, as a technician and an office manager. She went to school at Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, CO. While attended school she met her husband Jim in the drama club. They have two grown children, Cameron and Cassandra, two granddaughters and one grandson. When they aren’t busy with their grandkids’ they are involved in the church praise team and enjoy camping with their family. She also enjoys spending time with her Maltese mix, Ginger, and their cat Danny.
LiLen Lorenzi CVT:
LiLen attended Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology, and upon graduation received an Associate’s of Science degree. Lilen joined Arvada Veterinary Hospital in December of 2006. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and son. She lives with her husband, a beagle Lola, a rescue dog, Dreia, and a lop eared bunny named Daisy.
Carol Demos CVT:
Carol is a Colorado Native and 6th in line of 10 siblings. She has been a veterinary technician since June of 1991. She started working at AVH in the fall of 1992, but now only works part-time on the weekends. Carol and her husband Doug are huge Avalanche fans and currently have 1 four-legged child, a yellow lab named Hejduk.
Maggie Dockter:
Maggie Dockter: Maggie is a native to Colorado and grew up in Colorado Springs. In 2000, she graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology with an Associate’s of Science degree. She joined Arvada Veterinary Hospital in November 2006, where she has found her professional family. Maggie’s interests are surgery, dentistry, and client communication. She lives in Golden with her husband, and two children. She has 2 dogs, Torque and Draco, and 2 cats, Bandit and Cassidy. Maggie loves the outdoors, country music and spending time with friends and family.
Stefanie Lesker, CVT:
Stefanie graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in 2005 and has been a part of the Arvada Veterinary Hospital team since January 2011. Stefanie’s professional interests include dentistry, surgery, and working with exotics. She has two precious Golden Retrievers, Albert and Lilly, an Aussie mix, Stella, and two Quakers parakeets, Cali and Alfie. In her spare time, she enjoys ballroom dancing, reading, hiking, camping, and going to concerts.
Stephanie Smith, CVT:
Stephanie is native to Colorado. She went to school at Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology and graduated in 2008 as a Certified Veterinary Technician. She has been part of the Arvada Veterinary Hospital team since 2009. Stephanie's interests are anesthesia and caring for critical patients. In her spare time, she enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding and spending time outdoors with her boyfriend and dog Floyd. She also has a lazy orange and white cat named Franklin.
Carissa Shaw:
Carissa graduated from Regis University with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree Fine and Visual Arts. She is currently taking classes from San Juan Online College for Veterinary Technicians. Carissa was born and raised here in Colorado and just recently got married. She enjoys playing volleyball, springboard 1 meter and 3 meter diving, and playing video games with her husband. Carissa has a 3 year old rescued Lab/border collie mix names Slapshot, a two year old rescued Australian Shepard/lab mix named Georgia Lu, and multiple fresh water fish.
Taylor Swenson, CVT:
Taylor graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in 2009. She has been with Arvada Veterinary Hospital since February 2011. She loves the outdoors and spends every weekend in the mountains either snowboarding, hiking, or rock climbing. She shares her home with 3 dogs: a Lab mix named Trinity, a Boxer named Tigra, and a Ridgeback mix named Titan, as well as an Egyptian Mau named Celeste.
Cassandra Nothdurft, Receptionist:
Cassandra is a native to Colorado, and has been a receptionist at Arvada Veterinary Hospital for three years. She graduated from Colorado Christian University with a Bachelor’s of Music. She’s married to James, her husband of 5 years and they have a young son, Jimmy. Cassandra shares her crazy home with two dogs, Sienna and Cheyenne, and two cats, Tux and Cleo.
Megan Phillips, Receptionist:
Megan grew up in a small ski town in California, where she spent most of her time playing sports. She moved to Colorado to attend Colorado State University, and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Equine Science, and moved to Denver where she joined the veterinary industry. She joined us at Arvada Veterinary Hospital in 2011. She lives in Thornton, with her husband, Nathan, and their two dogs, Macy and Tucker. In her spare time she enjoys spending time outside with her dogs, horseback riding, and fostering for Mile Hi German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue.
Karrol Smith CVT, Receptionist:
Karrol is a North Denver native, and after 10 years in an office she became a Certified Veterinary Technician. She spent 18 years as a technician in an Arvada clinic before coming to Arvada Veterinary Hospital in September 2008. Karrol lives with her husband, Brad, and has 1 dog, Anne, 2 cats, Snickerdoodle and Poodywootz, and 2 birds. She also enjoys giving back by fostering kittens for Lucky Paws Cat Rescue. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, photography and running her dog in agility.
