Medical Director

Dr Beth Spencer (she/her) brings patience, perseverance, and compassion to her practice. As a Fear Free certified veterinarian, Dr Spencer takes time to work with pets so that they are comfortable during their visit. She emphasizes wellness and preventive care so her patients can stay happy and healthy.

Committed to clear communication, she works closely with clients to help them understand their pets’ healthcare options. Each year, she also mentors the next generation of veterinarians in the CSU communication labs. Dr. Spencer also contributes to improving the lives of pets through her role on the Humane Colorado Board of Directors.

As a parent, Dr Spencer strives to create a kid-friendly environment with snacks, books, and coloring. She always enjoys answering kids’ questions, knowing she might be inspiring a child to become a veterinarian!

Dr Spencer completed her undergraduate studies at Yale University and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. On weekends, Dr Spencer enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, reading, movies, and spending time with her husband Eric, her kids Phoebe and Shane, and her 2 dogs Mobi and Brownie.

Hospital Manager

Christine (she/her) welcomes each client with a positive, friendly attitude. She is transparent about treatment and care and takes a flexible approach to service. By creating a clear plan with the owner, Christine helps vet visits go smoothly. Christine uses Fear Free strategies. She is skilled at reading animal body language, which lets her know what patients need. She adapts care as needed so that pets do not get stressed out. Her helpful, organized attitude helps the clinic stay efficient. Christine’s goal is to make a positive impact on clients and patients to ensure they have the best experience. She is constantly looking for new ways to make visits better.

An avid fan of Fear Free, Christine has completed her Fear Free certification and loves learning about behavior and how to keep pets from getting stressed.

Christine received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Potsdam. She is from New York and spent a month exploring America before settling in Colorado. She loves traveling to national parks, and her goal is to visit all 63. Her pets are Hudson, a Connemara Pony, and Odin, a rescue dog. She loves working with all animals but has a soft spot for dogs and horses.

Veterinarian

Dr Penn’s hardworking, down-to-earth personality and clear communication are just a few of the reasons her clients love her. She insists all of her patients have positive experiences at Goodheart, so she adjusts to their individual personalities and uses positive reinforcement and Fear Free techniques.

By attending large conferences every other year, Dr Penn stays informed and updated on her ever-evolving profession. She also keeps current by enrolling in continuing education events offered by local specialists in between conferences and subscribing to weekly veterinary podcasts.

Dr Penn believes that biannual preventative care is the best means of avoiding major health issues. She is especially interested in dentistry and soft tissue surgery. She is also passionate about shelter medicine and providing for shelter animals. Dr Penn has traveled abroad to provide veterinary care for under-resourced communities.

Born and raised in Southern California, Dr Penn received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and attended veterinary school at Oklahoma State University. When not at Goodheart or traveling, she enjoys running, skiing, cooking, gaming (both video and board), photography, arts, and crafts. Her and husband Ryan share Lux, her cat that she adopted when she lived in St. Kitts, and her former barn cat, Kaylee.

Veterinarian

Dr David Liss’s clients love his compassionate and thorough approach to veterinary medicine. He empowers his clients to make the best choices for their pets, taking time to discuss all aspects of a treatment plan, its pros, and cons, and answer any and all questions. This way, Dr Liss ensures pet parents feel comfortable with and educated about their pet’s health plan. Clients also appreciate his empathetic, easy-going, and humorous personality.

Dr Liss is Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling certified. So, he can read the patient body language and change his tactics if he notices a pet start to get nervous.

He received his undergraduate degree from Emory University, where he double-majored in Biology and Psychology. He graduated with his DVM from the University of Illinois. And he completed his internship at Colorado State University. Dr Liss loved the Centennial State so much he decided to settle in Denver.

In his free time, Dr Liss enjoys concerts and music festivals. He also loves hiking, snowboarding, and exploring Denver’s food scene. While Dr Liss loves all animals, he is partial to cats. His two Tuxedo cats, Cosmo and Roo, have stolen his heart.

Veterinarian

Dr Cassie Jensen empowers pet parents to make the most informed decisions for their pets through high-quality communication at appointments. Whether seeing healthy or sick pets, Dr Jensen feels happier when she’s helped someone understand how to better care for their cats and dogs.

These skills have helped her build strong patient-client-veterinarian bonds. Clients love her kind, positive personality. They appreciate the time and attention she gives to each patient.

Dr Jensen reads pet body language cues so that if a pet seems nervous, she uses treats and adjusts her approach to help calm them.

She stays current on veterinary skills through continuing education webinars and veterinary journals. She also aims to pursue certificates in Fear Free, nutrition, and feline medicine.

She graduated with a Biology degree from Purdue before receiving her DVM at the University of Minnesota. She hikes in the summer and skis in the winter. She also loves reading, traveling to see family and friends, and brewery hopping. She is a dog mom to Hank, an Old English bulldog, and Thomas Jefferson (“TJ”), a domestic shorthair cat.

Veterinarian

Forming connections with owners and pets is a priority for Dr Cassie Todd (she/her). She wants clients and patients to feel comfortable and understood.

Clients appreciate her careful and understanding approach. She listens to their concerns, collaborates, and connects after appointments. Dr Todd pairs with clients as a team to offer the best in patient care.

Because veterinary visits can be scary, Dr Todd uses Fear Free techniques and lets the patient adapt to the hospital first. Her goal is to make each visit the best possible experience for clients and their pets.

Dr Todd attended The Johns Hopkins University for undergrad, then completed vet school at Colorado State University. To keep her skills current, she attends small lectures and working with specialists in the veterinary field to learn about advances in medicine. She is passionate about comprehensive wellness care for pets in all life stages.

Dr Todd loves hiking, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors with her family in the mountains. She has three tenacious rescue terriers: Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam, and Bee Girl.

Veterinarian

Dr Jesse Williams (he/him) supports clients and patients through each phase of their veterinary journey. He provides clients with the knowledge and tools to make educated decisions about their pets’ care and ensures he is available to answer questions and offer support.  Dr Williams uses Fear Free techniques to keep pets comfortable during their time at Goodheart.

His passions include puppy care and overall health maintenance, food allergies, dietary and supplemental support, and working with arthritic patients. He believes in early intervention for pets with arthritis so that he can improve their quality of life and mobility.

Dr Williams is laparoscopic certified, as well as certified in Global FAST ultrasound imaging. A New Jersey native, Dr Williams attended the University of Maryland for his undergraduate degree. He received his DVM from the University of Illinois.

Dr Williams has two dogs: Lennon (yellow lab/husky mix), and Charlie (cattle dog/pit bull/mystery mix), and a three-legged black cat named Hiccup. In his free time, he loves being outside and active. He and his wife also enjoy exploring local breweries and restaurants.

Veterinarian

Dr Justin Pochman (he/him) is excited to join the team as both a veterinarian and the future Medical Director of our new Goodheart location in 2025. His passion for veterinary medicine centers around forming lasting bonds with clients and their pets. He believes in collaborative care and client education.

Dr Pochman focuses on safety and comfort. He is happy to do exams and treatments wherever the pet feels most comfortable. He is passionate about wellness and preventative care for all life stages. Dr Pochman also has a special interest in dentistry and training the next generation of veterinarians.

Dr Pochman has an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Colorado Boulder. He earned his MBA and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University. While a native of Massachusetts, he made Colorado his forever home in 2005.

He loves camping, skiing, and traveling with his wife and three kids. He enjoys watching his daughters play volleyball and cheering on his son in the Special Olympics of Colorado. He has a heart for adopting rescue animals and currently has Maple Syrup (a Bernese Mountain Dog) and Captain Norman von Pancake (a tabby cat).

Registered Veterinary Technician

Because veterinary visits can be stressful for clients and pets, Jennifer (she/her) collaborates with clients to help alleviate anxiety and stress. Her empathetic, calm approach allows her to create lasting bonds with people and pets. She listens to clients’ concerns and spends time answering their questions and explaining the appointment process. She uses Fear Free techniques, treats, and reads a pet’s body language to help keep patients calm and comfortable. Jennifer has experience running an animal blood bank. She loves meeting each pet who comes into Goodheart, but has a soft spot for cats and rottweilers.

Jennifer shares her home with her spoiled cat, Monet. When not working, she loves to craft, play video games, and go to music concerts.

Registered Veterinary Technician

Through collaboration, education, and transparency, Yessenia (she/her) works with clients to make veterinary visits easier and less stressful. Her patient and compassionate approach helps patients feel comfortable while visiting Goodheart. She always has treats and cuddles to offer to patients. Her favorite thing about working in the veterinary field is meeting all the wonderful clients and their cute pets. She also loves being able to help pets feel better and live healthier lives.

Yessenia attended the Community College of Denver, where she earned her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. She has a grey tuxedo cat named Cenizaz. An adventurous spirit, she likes to try new things and explore new places. She loves spending time outdoors, swimming and hiking. She also enjoys listening to live music and eating yummy food.

Registered Veterinary Technician

Angel (she/her) creates a welcoming environment to keep clients and pets comfortable. Her goal is for pets to receive the best care. She collaborates with clients and caters to pets’ unique needs. Clients also appreciate her friendly and compassionate approach.

Angel is currently working towards becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician. She attends Bel-Rea Institute for Animal Technology, which helps her keep her skills current. She worked in emergency medicine before joining the Goodheart team.

Angel shares her home with her son, Augustine, and two dogs: senior chihuahua Luna, and pug mix Theo. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts and spending time with her son, and often travels back home to California.

Registered Veterinary Technician

Registered Veterinary Technician

Ali (she/her) is a Registered Veterinary Technician with a strong background in emergency medicine. She is dedicated to involving pet owners in their pets’ care, believing that their presence during appointments helps create a more comfortable and supportive environment for both the pet and the owner. Ali enjoys providing distractions for pets and always ensures that owners have the opportunity to ask questions and feel informed.

Ali is a big believer in the “less is more” philosophy when it comes to helping animals feel at ease. She works to create a calm, stress-free environment for her patients and values transparency in her care approach.

Ali earned her degree in Veterinary Technology from the Community College of Denver. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her two dogs, Ivy, a 3-year-old GSD Heeler mix, and Wrigley, a 6-year-old GSD Husky mix. She also volunteers with the Special Olympics and finds joy in working with both animals and people. For Ali, the most exciting part of her job is the variety of animals and people she gets to work with, as every day brings something new.

Veterinary Care Professional

Because she knows that going to the vet is stressful for clients and patients, Haley goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels welcome while at Goodheart. Her empathetic, professional, and friendly approach helps people and pets have the best experience. She takes time to answer client questions and talk them through the appointment process.

Haley has experience working with wildlife rehabilitation. She volunteered with the World Vets Organization and worked as a zookeeper. She is also skilled in animal training. To keep pets comfortable, she uses Fear Free techniques. She introduces treatments slowly and offers rewards to help pets understand that they are safe. She understands that keeping pets comfortable also makes future vet visits easier and less stressful.

Haley has a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn University. She has a rescue cat named Linguini, who has helped make Haley a huge cat person. She also loves working with reptiles, birds, and other exotics. Outside of work, she enjoys watching movies, working out, and going for hikes. She is an experienced harpist and used to be a rock-climbing instructor.

Veterinary Care Professional

Client and patient trust are important to Brutus (he/they) when it comes to caring for people and their pets. Brutus wants clients to know that they will be heard and supported, no matter what they or their pets need. Clients appreciate Brutus’s dependable, empathetic approach and that they provide high-quality care.

Brutus understands that veterinary visits can be stressful, so he adjusts his approach for each pet’s needs. He provides a welcoming and calm environment, working to build trust with the pet. They know that positive experiences help pets have better vet visits in the future as well.

A huge dog lover, Brutus has two rescue dogs: Kylo, a Siberian husky mix and Obi-wan, A Great Pyrenees. In addition to his veterinary care skills, Brutus is also adept at technology and client service. He has an Associate of Applied Science with a certification in Power Plant Technology and is working to return to school to further his career in veterinary medicine. When not working, Brutus enjoys playing Nintendo games, going to concerts, being an active member of the LGBTQ+ community, and exploring Colorado with his spouse, Sam.

Veterinary Care Professional

Holly knows that veterinary visits are stressful for people and pets. Clients appreciate her friendly attitude and calm approach. Holly allows pets time to decompress and adjust before beginning any treatments. She is working on becoming Fear Free certified.

Holly studied Photography and Fine Arts in college while in England. She then studied online with Animal Behavior College, in the Veterinary Assistant program. She is passionate about animal behavior and understanding how to recognize different emotions. Her goal is to train as a feline behavior specialist.
In her free time, Holly enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and their pets: Molly (a miniature schnauzer), Toasty (labradoodle), and Rosie Cottonsocks (ragdoll/Siamese mix cat). She loves to read, play video games, and do yoga.

Veterinary Care Professional

Denae’s (they/them) primary goal during each visit is to create lasting relationships with clients and pets. Their calming energy, effective handling, and comforting presence help clients and patients feel comfortable during their visit. To keep pets secure and happy, they assess each pet’s disposition and adapt to meet that pet’s unique needs. They have experience working with anxious and reactive pets.

Denae understands the importance of continued education. They earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a focus on Animal Behavior from Oregon State University. Their hobbies include spending time in nature, playing board games, and various crafting projects. Their love for fostering and animal healthcare stem from their own pets: Appa (senior cat), Jiraiya (senior Shiloh shepherd), and Korra (Formosan mountain dog).

Veterinary Care Professional

Clients appreciate that Kayli creates a calm, welcoming environment for people and pets. She loves seeing the bond between owners and animals. Her goal is to strengthen that bond through training, medicine, and language.

Her empathy and compassion help pets feel at home during their appointments. She focuses on Fear Free techniques to ensure each interaction is safe and stress free. Kayli has a background in dog training, so she is adept at interpreting and analyzing behavioral signals. This allows her to adjust her approach to keep animals comfortable and at ease.

Kayli earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from San Francisco State University. She has worked in grooming, dog training, and wolf rehabilitation, as well as managed a boarding facility. In her free time, she enjoys playing video and board games, doing art, reading, yoga, and hiking. She is also a life-long dancer and dances professionally. Her heart and soul belong to Gatsby, her senior border collie mix.

Veterinary Care Professional

Bio coming soon!

CSC/Veterinary Care Professional

Miranda’s approach to patient care is through empathy, education, and a positive attitude. She believes in collaborative communication so that clients can be involved with their pets’ treatment and care. She also enjoys teaching clients about the importance of preventative care and yearly lab work. Clients appreciate Miranda’s positive and helpful attitude and that she always has a smile on her face.

Originally, Miranda went to school for massage therapy; however, while in school, she began working at a dog daycare and realized she wanted to stay in the animal field. She brings her experience with dog behaviors and animal body language to Goodheart. To keep her skills current, she attends continued education events and reads articles about the developments in the veterinary field. When not working, she enjoys having adventures with her children, Nathaniel and Vylette, spending time with her friends and family, hiking, and diamond painting. She has two Chihuahuas – Nikko and Soncho, and a black cat named Shadow.

Client Service Coordinator

Alexia is passionate about Fear Free techniques and keeping pets comfortable during their time at Goodheart. She allows pets to adapt to the hospital, offering love, treats, or a quiet place to decompress. She has experience reading and understanding dog behavior, so she adjusts her approach based on the pet’s cues.

Clients appreciate Alexia’s transparency and collaborative nature. She is happy to explain all aspects of the appointment, answer client questions, and work with the client and veterinary team to make sure that patients receive the best care. She has experience working in playcare, dog walking, and training. She loves getting to know all the unique pets who come into Goodheart, watching the puppies and kittens grow up, and seeing pets get healthier and more comfortable.

Alexia has two rescue dogs: Mara, a kelpie mix, and Mavis, a rescue pit bull mix from Mexico. Mara’s calm personality helps balance out the fun puppy energy that Mavis has. She loves spending time with her dogs, hiking, working on training, or hanging out at the dog park. She also enjoys going to the dine-in movie theatres.

Client Service Coordinator

Michelle values the importance of teamwork and collaboration. She works with clients and the veterinary team to ensure clients’ and pets’ needs are met. An adept problem solver, Michelle is passionate about finding solutions for each pet’s unique needs. Clients appreciate her attention to detail and that she follows up after appointments.

Michelle strives to ensure each visit is a stress-free as possible for pets. She reads animals’ body language and looks for signs of distress or fear. Her goal is for each pet to have time and space to acclimate before treatments begin. A huge cat lover, Michelle bonds quickly with feline patients and practices Feline Friendly techniques.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys creating art and doing anything crafty, including cooking. She and her cat, Boris, like to snuggle up on the couch and watch movies or play video games as well.

Client Service Coordinator

Maddi (she/her) believes in collaborative communication. She works with clients to find the best solution for each pet. Clients love her welcoming and outgoing personality. She loves meeting new pets and helping them find relief and comfort. Maddi prioritizes patient care, allowing the pet to set the pace. She uses Fear Free techniques to help keep pets safe and secure.

Maddi has experience working with a variety of animals, including agricultural animals, shelter pets, and fosters. She is passionate about fostering and helping pets find their forever homes. Her goal is to become a veterinarian. She has a B.S. in Animal Science from Oregan State University and is continuing her education at Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology to become a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Maddi shares her home with Charlie and Joe, her two rescue pets. Charlie is an orange cat, and Joe is a senior border collie/golden retriever mix. Her hobbies include singing, playing the guitar, and spending time with friends.

Client Service Coordinator

Zyon (he/him) makes veterinary visits easier by being transparent and efficient. He listens to clients’ concerns and helps provide solutions to their pets’ unique needs. His goal is for each pet to receive the highest quality of care. Clients appreciate his optimistic attitude and detail-oriented approach.

Zyon’s favorite thing about working at Goodheart is meeting the pets that come to the hospital. He loves helping animals live happy, healthy lives. He helps pets feel comfortable during their visits by reading their body language and needs. He uses a slow, cautious approach and anxiety-reducing techniques to help pets feel safe. He loves working with cats as well.

Zyon attended Pfeiffer University, where he double majored in Communications and Visual Communications. He has two adopted cats, Finn and Iyla, and a family dog, Cloe. In his free time, Zyon enjoys creating art, listening to music and watching films, and viewing different types of art.

Client Service Coordinator

Alyssa (She/Her) is dedicated to creating a welcoming and empathetic environment for both pets and their owners. She understands that veterinary appointments can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why she approaches each visit with a calm, fear-free, and communicative style. Alyssa is passionate about preventive care and is committed to helping pets lead healthier, happier lives. Clients value her problem-solving skills and her ability to support pets and their families in every aspect of their care. What excites Alyssa most about her role is the opportunity to meet and connect with a variety of pets, forming bonds with both animals and their owners.

Alyssa has always had a deep love for animals and is eager to pursue a career in the veterinary field. She plans to enroll at the Community College of Denver to become a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys spending time in nature with her two dogs—a Pitbull/Plott Hound mix and an American Bully—or relaxing at home with her two cats while crocheting or reading.