Animal Hospital of the Rockies
Our Staff
Dr. Marie Richardson, "Dr. C," grew up in both Colorado and Louisiana. She spent her undergraduate years at Louisiana State University, studying microbiology and business law. She received her DVM from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. (Geaux Tigers!)
The next year and a half she spent in New York City, completing an internship in medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center.
Following her internship, she served as staff veterinarian for the Aquarium of the Americas, at the Audubon Institute of New Orleans, before entering private practice.
Dr. C has lived in Estes Park for over ten years, and is an active community member. In the past she has been part of the Rotary Club and the Fine Arts Guild Board of Directors; currently she serves on the local school board.
In 2000, Dr. C married her best friend, Mike Richardson, a local realtor. They have two children, Nathan and Alexis, plus a menagerie that includes Paladin, an American Tundra Shepherd, Gus, a goldendoodle puppy, and Frankie, the Siamese cat.
Dr. Deb Kiser grew up in the Midwest and earned her DVM from Purdue University in 1985. She has worked in small animal practices in the Indianapolis, Chicago, and Front Range areas for over 20 years.
You will find Dr. Kiser at our clinic sporadically, when she generously fills in so that Dr. C can take a break every now and then!
She enjoys working with both cats and dogs but has a special interest in cats, having worked with several feline-exclusive practices.
Dr Kiser's primary interests outside of animals are music, photography, hiking, horseback riding, and anything else creative.
Kari Hamel has been a pet lover her entire life. She grew up in Nebraska with dogs, cats, and chickens. When she was little, her mom recalls, Kari liked to kiss the baby chickens on their heads. She also used to rescue baby bunnies.
After a series of "children" that included a rat, a hamster, and several cats, Kari and her fiancé Chris now share the nest with their daughter Olivia (Homo sapiens), son Drew, new baby Lauren, and cats Victor and Chevy.
Kari has lived in Estes Park for over twelve years, and has been Dr. C's veterinary technician since 1999, when she graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver.
Kari's favorite parts about working here are getting lots of kisses and making pets feel better.
Kelly Vargas grew up in New Jersey with an assortment of dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, snakes, chinchillas, mice, and rats... but not all at the same time!
Kelly and her sweetie, TJ, relocated to Colorado two years ago. They share their home with four voluptuous kitties (Mee-OW!). Kelly enjoys reading, video games, camping, hiking, cooking, and being happy doing nothing special.
While she loves all the critters at Dr. Cs, Kelly is especially fond of the cats! Between Elliot and our boarding kitties, there's a whole lotta purrin' going on.
Audra Varilek is about as close to an Estes native as you can get. Originally from South Dakota, Audra grew up in Estes Park and has lived here for 21 years. She is a junior at the University of Northern Colorado with a major in Elementary Education and an emphasis in English.
Audra has always loved animals, and she and her boyfriend Dana are the proud owners of 4 wonderful dogs.
You'd never guess that sweet exterior hides a crazy hockey fan! Go Avs!
Rachael Cunningham grew up in Estes Park and is a biology/pre-vet student at Colorado State University.
Although she had a beta fish when she was little, Rachael doesn't have any pets now, so getting to take care of so many animals at Dr. C's is a treat! Rachael also works with alpacas, and is a gerbil whisperer. (Our gerbils adore her!)
Rachael likes to read, listen to music, and play sports.
LaShelle Lyman was the stuffed animal queen while growing up; allergies kept everything but fish and frogs out of the house, so instead she spent as much time as she could playing with the neighbors' cats.
Today she and her cats enjoy living in their little cabin in the woods. LaShelle, having recently emerged from what she calls her "quarter-life" crisis, is studying veterinary medicine at CSU.
You are likely to see LaShelle behind the reception desk when you come to visit, but she loves the fact that you're just as likely to find her bathing a dog, changing a diaper, or weighing a cat. She's happy to be part of the family at Dr. C's.
Elliot the cat is our official greeter, snuggler, and snoozer. He's a big fat sweetheart, full of love.
Elliot likes to play with "Da Bird," and he likes to plop down on whatever piece of paper you might be needing. He also has a talent for worming his way into open laps. And he thinks he's starving all the time.
Elliot prefers dogs to cats, and has a special talent for harrassing dogs while remaining agonizingly out of reach.