Dr. Sheila RiceWatkins
Veterinarian
Dr. Sheila grew up in Pennsylvania always dreaming of becoming a veterinarian. She began her career helping animals as a veterinary assistant in 1991, and worked as a veterinary technician while attending undergraduate school at York College of Pennsylvania. She attended Veterinary school at Kansas State University, graduating with her DVM in 2001.
She moved to Colorado and practiced along the front range in general practice as well as shelter spay/neuter, and emergency medicine. Dr. Sheila believes in offering quality compassionate care to your pets while helping you make decisions about your pet’s health that is right for you and your family. She values strengthening your family bond through all life stages through comprehensive care.
Dr. Sheila is a member of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, and the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners. She was the membership director and board member for the Platte Canyon Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of the previous National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT5), and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Response Corp which provided emergency veterinary services to communities during disasters, and she continues to be part of the Animal Evacuation Volunteers.
Dr. Sheila is federally accredited to recognize transboundary diseases and maintain disease surveillance. She has served on the board for the Colorado Companion Animal Sanctuary, which serves special needs cats by providing a forever home with intensive management by dedicated caretakers. Dr. Sheila and the team at Crow Hill Veterinary hospital is the veterinary supervisor for the wolves at Mattersville, Heroes and Hybrids.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family: husband Chad, a Bailey native, and son Orion. They live in Bailey with 4 dogs, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, frog, salamanders, sheep, and chickens. Dr. Sheila is a gardener and enjoys jeeping, camping and staying busy with home improvement projects. She is also a strong advocate for dyslexia and ADHD.
Dr. Sheila is known to embrace her passions and focus like no other to reach her goals.
Dr. Mitch A. Zale
Veterinarian
Dr. Zale is a Colorado native and graduated from Evergreen High School in 1977. In the 80s he attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He received a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology in 1984 and DVM in 1988. Dr. Zale worked at Mission Viejo Animal Hospital after graduation. He started Pet Clinic, in Fort Collins, in 1990 and built a three-doctor practice from scratch. The clinic worked closely with the Larimer County Humane Society, starting an early spay program that reduced the stray animal population to 7,590 in the Fort Collins / Loveland area. The clinic was sold in 2001 and Dr. Zale moved back to Evergreen.
Chad
Office Manager, Owner, “no one of consequence”
Chad never envisioned himself in the veterinary industry, as his heart lies with gold prospecting. He has been seen on Animal Planet’s Ice Cold Gold. When recognized in the community in his beloved Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, it’s either for his international stardom, or uncensored sense of humor from local Facebook communities.
Chad is the caretaker of all things: feeding the pets at home, the crew at the office, grocery shopper, errand runner, kid commuter, and maintenance guy- when he gets around to it!! A jack of all trades, and master of many. Here he is, living the dream as the veterinarian’s husband, supporting Dr. Sheila in business and life!
Jeracha
Marketing Manager, Veterinary Technician
Jeracha lives in Bailey with her husband, Chance, their son, Hudson, daughter Harper, and their 3 dogs. She is a huge advocate for animal welfare, and has opened her home to fostering dogs. She was raised around animals, and plans to one day open an animal rescue herself. On her days off, she spends time on the trails with her pups, exploring beautiful Colorado.
Lena RVT
Veterinary Technician
Lena started her career in animal health working as a kennel technician in high school. It was then that she realized how much she would enjoy working with animals. She furthered her career by obtaining an Associate of Applied Science degree, in Veterinary Technology, from the Community College of Denver. She gained most of her experience as a Vet Tech working at an animal hospital in her hometown of Thornton, Colorado.
Lena and her husband, both Colorado natives, moved to Bailey in 2018, with their two cats and one dog. They are very excited to be living in the mountains! They enjoy traveling, road trips, and hiking.
Lena is looking forward to meeting you and your pets!
Shana CVT, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Shana is a Colorado Native and moved to Bailey in 2017 with her husband. She also shares her home with two dogs, two cats, and three goats. In her free time, she loves hiking, mountain biking, and running. Shana has been a certified veterinary technician for more than fifteen years.
Dani
Client Services
Dani is a Colorado native that moved to Bailey in 2020 with her husband. They have 5 cats, a dog and a bearded dragon. She does hairstyling in town but also works at the clinic because she loves the people and pets she sees here. In her free time away from work she enjoys her husbands cooking, hanging out with her pets, and exploring ghost towns.
Tracy
Veterinary Assistant
Tracy has always dreamed of working in the veterinary field. She was born in Kentucky, and moved to Colorado where she attended Green Mountain High School. She is married with 3 children, and 4 dogs. Tracy moved to Bailey in 2018, and wishes she had done it sooner! She enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and enjoying the abundance of mountain activities throughout Colorado.