Internal Medicine - Practice Staff

Dr. Don Westfall received his veterinary medical training at Colorado State University. Following graduation, Dr. Westfall completed an internship in small animal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, and critical care at a specialty hospital in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Westfall went on to complete a 3-year small animal internal medicine residency at Colorado State University, where he obtained a Master of Science Degree. Research completed during his residency included projects involving infectious diseases in cats, pancreatitis in dogs and cats, and esophageal disorders in dogs and cats. Dr. Westfall achieved diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, with a specialty in Internal Medicine. He joined the VRCC Internal Medicine department in October 2001.

Dr. Westfall lives with his wife and family of three children in the foothills and enjoys skiing, camping, and golf. His two canine companions are Bri, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Maddie, a Coton de Tulear. Squeeky is his family’s only feline friend.

Dr. Steve Wheeler received his veterinary medical training at the University of California, Davis. Following graduation, Dr. Wheeler completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at The Animal Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Wheeler completed a residency in internal medicine and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University. Following residency training, Dr. Wheeler achieved Diplomate status in the Specialty of Internal Medicine in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He completed a fellowship in medical oncology and was on the faculty of the Department of Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University for five years before entering private practice in 1991. Dr. Wheeler helped to found the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado in 1992.

Dr Wheeler enjoys road biking, skiing and running. He has been married for 31 years and has two great daughters. Dr. Wheeler has two canine companions. They are both Standard Poodles by the names of Zöe (14yrs) and Scout (1 yr).

Dr. Jenna Ashton received her veterinary medical training at the University of Florida where she received her MS in Veterinary Medical Sciences in 2003 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Dr. Ashton completed a year long rotating internship in surgery and medicine at the Animal Specialty Center in 2008. In 2008 she was accepted in the Internal Medicine residency program at Michigan Veterinary Specialists and completed her training in 2011. Following her residency training, Dr. Ashton achieved Diplomate status in the Specialty of Internal Medicine with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and joined the Internal Medicine team at VRCC in August 2011. She enjoys many outdoor activities. Hiking, camping and skiing are at the top of her list of favorites. Dr. Ashton also likes to travel and enjoys sports. She especially loves cheering for her Florida Gators!

Newton is Dr. Ashton’s Labrador mix who joins her on many of her outdoor excursions. Taloulah and Remy are her feline companions who are pleased to keep Newton in line when the need arises.

Dr. Van Pelt completed her veterinary medical training at the University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatchewan, Canada. She completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Colorado State University, followed by a one-year surgical residence at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Van Pelt then completed a three-year residency training program in veterinary emergency and critical care at Colorado State University, and in 1991 became one of the first veterinarians to become board certified in veterinary emergency and critical care. She was on faculty in the Critical Care Unit at CSU for several years before entering private practice. Dr. Van Pelt joined the Internal Medicine/Daytime Emergency team in January of 2007.

Dr. Van Pelt enjoys running, scrapbooking and going on adventures with her two inquisitive children. Zoey, a 3 year old siamese mix, is the Van Pelt family’s feline friend who is also known by a few different names such as “Her Royal HIghness” or “The Zoester”.

Dr. Dye received her veterinary medical training at Kansas State University graduating in 1994. Following a year in private practice in South Dakota, Dr. Dye moved to Colorado and completed a small animal internship. She then worked as an emergency clinician at a local hospital and ultimately completed a surgical residency. After obtaining her board certification in surgery, Dr. Dye worked as an emergency surgeon locally and an emergency clinician in northern Colorado. She has also done relief work in the Denver area working in both general and emergency practices. Dr. Dye joined our Internal Medicine and Daytime Emergency Referral and Triage team in 2007 working as an emergency clinician. Dr. Dye was approved for an Internal Medicine residency program starting in January 2009 and successfully completed her residency program with our department in January of 2011.

Dr. Dye is owned by a Chihuahua mix named Daphne who is 4 years old and two felines named Numo, who is17 years old, and Bart who is about 14 years old. Dr. Dye enjoys distance running, reading and caring for her flower garden. She also enjoys spending time with her extended family on their farm in western Nebraska.

Lori began working in the pet care industry in 1979 and has worked exclusively in veterinary medicine as a veterinary technician and manager since 1989. She has worked with the VRCC Internal Medicine/Daytime Emergency Referral and Triage Service since 1991 and is the Practice Administrator for this department. Lori graduated from Regis University completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 2007 and graduated in December of 2010 with a Master of Business Administration Degree with a specialization in finance and accounting.

Lori has two children and enjoys riding her motorcycle, camping, hiking, snowshoeing and home remodeling. She has three dogs named Jesse, a Cattle Dog mix, Hershey a Retriever mix and Cheeto the Chihuahua. Lori also has two cats that rule her home. Elvis, who is the king and Comet the kitty prince.

Briana passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam in 2004. She has worked in the veterinary medicine since 1998. Briana is a graduate of Moorpark College’s Exotic Animal Training and Management Program. She received Associate of Applied Science degrees in Exotic Animal Training and Management, Wildlife Education, and Animal Behavior Management. Briana joined the Internal Medicine and Daytime Emergency Referral and Triage team in 2007.

She enjoys Zumba, spending time with her family and napping. Briana has one feline friend named Jesi Lyn who is 19 years old.

Jenny graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology with an Associate Degree in Animal Science in 2007 and became a Certified Veterinary Technician that same year. Jenny joined the Internal Medicine team in 2011 and is the Client Coordinator for our department.

Jenny enjoys hiking, sightseeing, photography, reading and hanging out with her dog and family. Luigi, a boxer mix enjoys his hikes with his mom. Jenny also has a Ball Python named Cleo.

Kendall is a Colorado native. She graduated from the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology with an Associate Degree in Animal Science in March of 2002. Kendall also passed her board exam and became a Certified Veterinary Technician in June of 2003. Kendall worked at a local general veterinary hospital for 4 years before joining the Internal Medicine team in February 2006.

Kendall enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She also has feline friends named Dizzy, Maddie and Chopper and two canine companions, Jessie who is a Boxer mix and a mixed breed named Speckles.

Isaac has worked in veterinary medicine since 2004 and joined the Internal Medicine and Daytime Emergency Referral and Triage team in 2007. He is a graduate of the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology, completing his associate degree in 2006. Isaac passed his technician certification boards in early 2007.

Lisa is an Iowa native and moved to Colorado to attend the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology. She graduated with an Associate Degree in Animal Science in 2000 and received her certification that same year. Lisa worked at a non-profit veterinary hospital for 2 years before joining the Internal Medicine team in March 2002.

Lisa is originally from Iowa and moved to Denver in 1999. She enjoys wakeboarding, biking, hiking and listening to live music. Chance, an 8yr. old Giant Schnauzer, is her canine companion and Willow, Lisa’s feline friend, is a 10 yr old DSH.

Ryanne received her Associates of Animal Science degree from the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in 2004 and passed her state certification exam that same year to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Ryanne worked as an internal medicine technician for several years before joining our team in July of 2011. She is a Colorado native and enjoys travelling and being active outside.

Ryanne enjoys spending time with her husband, family and her four legged kids. Ryanne’s four legged kids are Kloie a boxer/greyhound mix and Abby a domestic medium hair cat.

Tricia earned an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Leeward Community College in Pearl City, Hawaii. She came to Colorado to attend Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology and graduated with an associate’s degree in Animal Science in March of 2001. Tricia joined the Internal Medicine staff in May of 2001 and became a certified veterinary technician in June of the same year. Tricia joined the ranks of a very small percentage of technicians in the country by recently passing the specialty boards for veterinary technicians. She was awarded the title of Veterinary Technician Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine in July of 2010.

Tricia was born and raised in Hawaii and plays competitive softball. She has a special professional interest in Transfusion medicine. Tricia has a furry and feathered family which includes a Senegal Parrot named Woody, several canine companions named Maddie, a Jack Russell, Kekahi who is a Border Collie mix and Myles who is also a Jack Russell. She also has a feline friend named Kikala.