Dr. Aubrey Lavizzo, DVM

Dr. Aubrey is a 1970 graduate of the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. After a brief stint in private practice in his hometown New Orleans, Dr. Aubrey began practicing in Denver in January, 1971. His wife, Gayle Brooks Quick, is a licensed psychotherapist whose practice is located in the building that houses TCAW.

Dr. Aubrey is active in community and professional organizations, and veterinary education. He chairs the Veterinary Issues subcommittee of the Colorado Alliance for Cruelty Prevention, is a member of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society, the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Aubrey also serves as a non-faculty member of the Admissions and Mentoring Committees of the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences, and is the Practitioner Diversity representative of the CSUCVMBS Admissions Committee. He is a faculty member and facilitator of the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Experience. Dr. Aubrey's varied interests include hiking, backpacking, photography, bicycling, live music--especially jazz and blues--and theater.

Dr. Andy Nigro, DVM

Dr. Andy is a graduate of Colorado State University where he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. His undergraduate work was done at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he obtained degrees in fields completely outside of science and medicine. He is a member of both the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr Andy was born and raised in Kansas City, but has been enjoying all Colorado has to offer for the past 15 years. He has also been fortunate enough to have traveled throughout Asia, India, Northern Africa, Europe, and South America. He enjoys watching and playing nearly all sports, but especially skiing and golf. He is also an avid backpacker. Other interest include music (virtually every genre, as long as it's quality) and reading (especially the classics.)

Dr. Rhea Dodd, DVM, MA

Dr. Rhea has enjoyed a lifetime affinity for animals and has nearly 20 years experience helping pets achieve their full potential. She earned a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 1992, and holds a Master's Degree in inter-species relationships from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She became certified in Veterinary Acupuncture in 2001, and was then selected as a teaching assistant, clinical preceptor, and presenter for the Course in Basic Acupuncture for Veterinarians at CSU. She became certified in Veterinary Chiropractic in 2008 through the International Veterinary Chiropractic Society.

Also in fitting with TCAW's on community service, Dr. Dodd lectures, teaches and writes about pet behavior, health, and pain management topics. She has been a popular speaker for the Denver Dumb Friends League, the Cat Care Society, and the Denver Veterinary Medical Association and has also been featured on 9News, WB2, Channel 4, the Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Denver Daily News, and Colorado Parent. She has served on the Board of Directors for Freedom Service Dogs, Inc. and is an active member of the Coalition for Living Safely with Dogs. Visit her website at GentleVet.

Christie Fishbaugh, Practice Manager

Christie graduated from Florida State University, Tallahassee, in 1989 with a degree in Communications and a minor in Psychology. She grew up in the Florida Panhandle and has worked in a variety of fields including two years as Technician Supervisor at the Winter Garden Animal Hospital. She also worked as a Docent at the Central Florida Zoological Park, Outreach Program and has served as a volunteer with the Colorado Wildlife Rescue Team. Christie moved to Colorado in 2003 and she enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, theater, live music, good food, and good wine. She has one very spoiled cat, Sophie, who she has raised since she was only two days old, and she is hoping to add a puppy to the family in the very near future.     

Michelle McConnell, CVT

Michelle is a California native that came to Colorado to attend the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology, where she graduated in 2004. Since then, she has worked in both animal welfare and as a veterinary technician. Michelle calls Colorado her home now with her husband Jeremy,dogs Maverick, Ebba, and Carbon and cat named Kaylee. She enjoys hiking, camping, and music.

Taya Jones, CVT

With 14 years of veterinary experience, Taya has always loved animals. Like the rest of us at The Center for Animal Wellness, helping to keep pets happy and healthy is one of the joys of being a veterinary technician. In her free time, this Denver native and die-hard Bronco fan loves getting together with her family and friends.

Tanya Dorsey, Veterinary Receptionist 

Tanya Dorsey is a Colorado native who brings over 15 years of veterinary experience to The Center for Animal Wellness. She has worked in several aspects of veterinary hospitals through the years and also has a pet sitting service that she has run for over 12 years. She has several pets of her own, including ferrets and a tortoise and has dreams of someday having a farm with cows, pigs, goats, and horses. She enjoys being outdoors, camping, hiking and rollerblading and also enjoys live music of all kinds. She is a single mother of a seven year old daughter, Taylor. She enjoys spending time with Taylor and does as much volunteering at her elementary school as she can. 

Michelle Gibson, Client Customer Service

Michelle is a Colorado native who brings over 5 years veterinary experience to The Center for Animal Wellness.  She and husband Jim are currently servants to 2 cats, Isis and Houdini and are hoping to add to their pet family in the near future.  In her spare time in the summer Michelle enjoys racing their cars with her husband, rafting and other outdoor activities.  During the quiter winter months she enjoys cross-stitching and other craft projects.

 Marley

Twin

Sassy