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Dr. Kenneth Chmelka, DVM, Practice Owner
 I had the privilege of growing up around a variety of pets. The fondness encouraged me to become a veterinarian. I received my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University in 1983. Following graduation, I worked at a small animal and equine veterinary hospital in Upper Hutt, New Zealand before coming to Colorado Springs in 1985. I was soon practicing at Academy Acres Veterinary Hospital as an Associate Veterinarian then quickly moved onto being partial owner in taking care of cats, ferrets, dogs, rabbits, and reptiles. In March 2000, Dr. Schrepel and I joined partnership to open Aspen View Veterinary Hospital. I enjoy internal medicine and surgery, as well as working with exotic reptile species.
My wife and two boys keep me busy outside of the hospital with various sport activities and school. We have a Golden Retriever, Gretzky; and 3 cats, Katrina, Hazel and Biggelsworth. We also have a tarantula named Pete. When not working with animals I enjoy cycling.
In over 20 years since receiving my Doctorate, the satisfaction of helping animals and the contact with their owners makes me proud I became a veterinarian.
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Dr. Douglas Schrepel, DVM, Practice Owner
 I graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1994 from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. After practicing in a small animal hospital in Washington state for a year, I returned to Colorado and joined Academy Acres Veterinary Hospital for 2 years, where I met Dr. Chmelka. In March 2000, we joined partnership and opened Aspen View Veterinary Hospital.
I am currently a member of The American Veterinary Medical Association, The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, and the Colorado Springs Area Veterinary Society. I take a special interest in pain management, strengthening the human-animal bond and in addition to my canine and feline patients I take pleasure in caring for rabbits.
I share my life with veterinarian, Dr. Laurie Clauss, my three children, a Boxer, a blind Labrador Retriever, and a number of cats that seems to change constantly as I and Dr. Clauss actively work with the Humane Society and Feline Rescue Groups. When not working with animals or attending school events, I am an avid distance runner, love to snow ski and dabble with vegetarian cooking.
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Kami Kalish, Practice Manager
 Ever since I found that cat with 5 kittens living in a hollowed out tree in my Wisconsin backyard, I knew working with and caring for animals would be my life. I worked at a small animal veterinary hospital grooming and taking care of pets while attending college at Washington State University. I graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology. After graduation my family and I lived in various states including Louisiana, Michigan, Seattle, Washington before settling here in Colorado Springs in 1994. We adopted our first dog, a Sheltie, and that’s when I met Dr. Chmelka and Dr. Schrepel as they became his veterinarian. A year later I was working with them to take care of other families and their pets. I have volunteered for 9 Lives Rescue in fostering cats and kittens since 1996. Of course, I couldn’t resist some of them, so we now have 6 cats. We also have a Shitzu and Miniature Pinscher.
I enjoy meeting and interacting with all our clients and their pets. It is rewarding to me knowing I have helped you and your companions get the best possible care you deserve.
When I’m not interacting with animals, I enjoy gardening and spending time with my kids, Russil and Kim, on some new adventure!
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Sarah Graham, Veterinary Assistant
 I was born in California, but have lived in Colorado most of my life. I became a certified Nursing Assistant right out of high school. I also received my certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. With this I volunteered with the Fire Department for a year. I advanced onto my true calling and completed my certification in the Veterinary Assistant program in 2003. I joined Aspen View Veterinary Hospital in May 2002 and thoroughly enjoyed taking care of your pets as if they were my own. I have had numerous small breed dogs (Chihuahua, Rat Terrier) at home, not to mention a hedgehog, but now have 2 cats at home. Our hospital kitties, Willie and Pharaoh, keep me great company when I bring them home on the weekends. Pharaoh and I have a special relationship since I found him behind the hospital, suffering from an old nonhealing fracture that required surgery.
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Terrie, Veterinary Assistant
 Growing up in Colorado I knew animals would be a major part of my life. After graduating high school I attended the PIMA Medical Institute's Veterinary Assistant program. In April 2005 I came to Aspen View Veterinary Hospital to complete my externship program. Upon completion I joined a cat only veterinary hospital. I worked with cats for the next year before returning to Aspen View Veterinary Hospital in November 2006. I enjoy every day to the fullest because I have the privilege of taking care of your animal companions. Outside of the hospital I share my time with my fiance' Jason, 4 dogs and 4 cats. |
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Tanya, Certified Veterinary Technician
 I was raised in little Sanford, Colorado on my grandpa's farm. Because of this lifestyle, I was always bottle feeding lambs, playing with kittens, gathering chicken eggs, herding the cows and riding the horses. As a result, I learned to love all animals and thus decided to become a veterinarian. However, after my first year of college, I changed my emphasis to veterinary nursing, knowing it would allow me much more interaction with the animals. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in 2003. I worked at All About Pets in Utah as the head Veterinary Technician. I completed my certification for Colorado in 2004, but worked at a veterinary hospital in Alabama for a year before returning to Colorado. I joined Aspen View Veterinary Hospital in November 2005. |
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