Our wonderful veterinarians help to make Alpine Veterinary Hospital a perfect blend of “experienced wisdom” and “new passion”. They come from a variety of backgrounds and each have different skills and interests while also fulfilling the role as one of the ever-decreasing population as truly mixed animal, all species veterinarians! Our remarkable technicians help handle the animals in a professional and safe manner, and aid the veterinarians in all things technical: surgical anesthesia, wound prep, intubation and catheterization, inpatient nursing, laboratory sample prep and interpretation, exam room assistance, record keeping, and much much more. Our receptionists are our center stage stars: they efficiently organize and set the schedule, happily greet clients and patients alike, answer all calls, process payments, input records, and keep the clinics running like well-oiled machines. Our wonderful cleaners are who keep the clinics looking, feeling, and smelling amazing (which is no easy task in veterinary medicine)! And our unbelievably talented practice manager, Starr, keeps the entire team and company happy, efficient, and sane! Our practice is blessed beyond words to have such a wonderful staff. Read on for more interesting facts!
Alpine's Veterinarians
Dr. Carla Enderle
Carla Enderle was born and raised in northern New Mexico on her families two ranches one raising cattle and the other sheep which later converted to a cow/calf operation while she was in College. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree, Cumae Sum Luda, in Biology at Adams State College in 2002. Carla went on to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2006.
Since graduating Dr. Enderle has practiced at Alpine Veterinary Hospital in Alamosa and Monte Vista, and became a partner/owner in 2019. With her history in ranching she has a passion for all animals and enjoys the daily variety of working in a mixed animal practice. Dr. Enderle enjoys performing all types of surgeries, small animal reproduction, and working up difficult medical cases.
Dr. Enderle believes that the practice, like ranching, is a family affair and usually you can find one of her three children Jon, Evan, and Addison or her husband DJ helping out around the clinic. Her family still runs the two ranches in New Mexico, and Carla goes down and helps when time allows.
Dr. Kayla Henderson
Dr. Kayla Henderson is a San Luis Valley native and third generation cow calf rancher. She earned her bachelor's degree in equine science and business administration, with honors, magna cum laude from Colorado State University in 2008, followed by her DVM, with honors, cum laude in 2012. She volunteered at Alpine Vet Hospital as a teenager, and then became an associate veterinarian in 2012, and finally an owner/partner in 2019. She loves every aspect of rural mixed animal practice and is a passionate advocate for the profession and lifestyle at the state and national levels. Dr. Henderson is the SLV Chapter Rep for Colorado's Veterinary Medical Association and serves as a member or committee chair on several local and state boards. She enjoys equine medicine and lameness, herd health care, general small animal practice, and teaching and mentorship.
She and her husband and their three kids live on a cow calf ranch in the middle of the SLV. She loves horseback riding, gardening, baking, spending time in the mountains, working cattle, reading, and tending her kiddos, cats, and chickens (often at the same time)!
Dr. Curtis Crawford
I was raised on a small farm and ranch in Northeastern New Mexico. After attending undergraduate college at New Mexico State University where I met and married my wife Denise, I graduated from Colorado State University with a DVM in 1986. I then practiced for 4 years in a mixed animal practice in Las Cruces, NM, and 7 years in Pueblo, CO before coming to the San Luis Valley in 1997.
I have been an active member of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association for over 25 years and was elected to the CVMA Board of Directors including a year as President, and am currently the Colorado Alternate Delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association. I have been the CVMA representative to the Colorado Livestock Care Coalition that advises the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture on livestock care and welfare issues. I also serve on the Monte Vista Community Ambulance Service Board of Directors and as an elder for the Cornerstone Church of Christ in Monte Vista. I am on the Scientific Review Committee for the San Luis Valley Regional Science Fair.
Although I will always be a general practitioner, my medical interests lie in beef cattle, sheep and goats, and small animal orthopedics. Our practice has recently started using interlocking nails for long bone fractures in addition to the regular pins, wires and external skeletal fixation devices we have always had. I perform laparoscopic AI for sheep and goats and am pursuing bringing PAP testing capabilities to the practice.
Denise and I have two married children who both live in the San Luis Valley and work within the agricultural community. My brother still runs the family farm and ranch in New Mexico. We keep a few Boer goats around our place for entertainment and to keep the county weed board happy.
Dr. Kayla Bentley
Dr. Kayla Bentley has been an associate veterinarian with Alpine Veterinary Hospital since 2018 after receiving her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University. Her professional interests include ultrasonography, soft tissue surgery, and preventative medicine and she enjoys working on all species. Born and raised in Tyler, Texas, she has always had a love for the Colorado mountains. She and her husband have quickly come to the love the San Luis Valley with its rich sense of community and unique landscape. Her hobbies include all things outdoors such as hiking, fishing and hunting. She enjoys spending time with her 3 dogs and tending to her flock of chickens.
Dr. Alex Baker
Dr. Alex Baker was born and raised in a small rural community in northern California. Alex participated in 4H and FFA throughout her childhood where she raised and exhibited beef cattle, dogs, chickens and guinea pigs. Alex received her bachelor’s degree in animal science from UC Davis in 2014 and went on to work for a nonprofit organization where she spent most of the next three years living and working in various villages in Uganda. Alex taught local health teams, district veterinarians along with U.S. and Ugandan veterinary students skills relating to infectious disease control between humans and livestock. Alex recently received her DVM from Colorado State University and is excited to become a member of the SLV community. In addition to completing her veterinary degree; Alex completed her acupuncture certification in both small and large animals and she is excited to bring this treatment modality to AVH. Dr. Baker enjoys working on all animals and is especially interested in complementary medicine, rehabilitation and PAP testing. In her spare time Alex enjoys hiking, camping and fishing with her fiancé and their two Rough Collies, Lacey and Delta.
Dr. Caitlin O’Connor
Dr. Caitlin O’Connor grew up in Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University (WHOOP). After graduating, she spent time at a rural mixed animal clinic in Wyoming before joining the staff at Alpine Vet Hospital. She enjoys medicine and preventative care on all species. Her hobbies include any outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, and watching A&M football during the fall. She also loves to travel and really wants to go to Israel in the next few years.
Dr. Laura Mortensen
Dr. Laura Mortensen grew up in Wyoming where she grew her love for animals and the livestock industry by working on her family’s cow-calf ranch. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming, where she met her husband, Brandt, who is a San Luis Valley native. She graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Following graduation from veterinary school, she spent two years working at a mixed animal clinic in Texas. She enjoys working on all animals but especially loves beef cattle and equine work. She and her husband have three kids, Wes, Evelynn, and Reid, who like to keep them on their toes. She enjoys riding horses, working cows, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Dr. Tyler Ratzlaff
Tyler moved to the SLV at a young age, attended Adams State University and earned degrees in chemistry and biology before being accepted to Colorado State University for veterinary school. After graduating, he and his wife Bonnie moved back home and soon purchased Alpine Vet Hospital. Together, they grew the practice into a 2-location, 5-doctor practice over 30 years. They sold the practice in 2019 and now Tyler enjoys continuing to practice on occasion, keeping his favorite skill well-honed: equine dentistry. He also loves riding and training horses, competing and participating in cavalry events across the country, and spending time with his family.
Alpine's Staff
Starr Hanel - Practice Manager
Starr is originally from Durango, CO where she grew up on her family’s cattle ranch. She attended Fort Lewis College and graduated with a Bachelor’s in communications. In 2008, she and her husband, who was born and raised in Alamosa, moved to the Valley. She has worked in the veterinary industry in many different positions (receptionist, technician, office manager) since 2009. Starr has three dogs named Harley (min pin), Dasher (dachshund), and Buck (mixed breed) and two cats, Sitka and Present, as well as numerous other farm animals. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, running Spartan races with her husband and daughter, and operating a show cattle ranch with her two siblings in Durango.
Michael - Head Veterinary Assistant
Michael was born and raised in Monte Vista, CO. He is married and together they have five children, three dogs, and one cat. He enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling. He has worked with AVH since 2003, working his way to becoming our head technician and all-around go-to handy-man and veterinary fabricator. He likes working with large and small animals and being involved in the orthopedic exams and surgeries.
Alice - Veterinary Assistant
Alice has been a part of the AVH team since 2015. She is a Level 2 Certified Veterinary Assistant and a head technician in Alamosa and Monte Vista. She has a strong passion for a stress-free and comforting environment for her furry patients of all shapes and sizes. She also enjoys providing client education to help owners who love their pets as much as she loves her own. In her free time, she can be found adventuring and hiking with her husband and three blue heelers, Trouble, Kiba, and Midna.
Amy - Veterinary Assistant
Amy hails from the great cheese state of Wisconsin, and yes, she does love the Packers! She received her Bachelor’s degrees in Education and History from Missouri Valley College, where she also participated in College Rodeo for 4 years. After college, she traveled the world for half a decade before being roped into the Valley by her husband, Chad. She has worked for Alpine for since 2016 and she loves being able to help clients and patients feel welcomed in every situation. She is a level 1 Certified Veterinary Assistant working towards further education in this area, and has recently taken up the enormous duties of Inventory Manager for the practice. She can't wait to meet you and your furry family!
Brittney - Veterinary Assistant
Brittney was born and raised in Alamosa and has been a veterinary technician for AVH since 2012. She attended Pima Medical Institute in Albuquerque, NM and graduated in 2011. She has always had a strong passion for animals and always knew that she would want to work with them from a young age. She married her wonderful husband Michael in 2014 and was blessed with a step-daughter Mikayla and two babies of her own, Myla and Makai. They have two fur babies as well; a cat named Zoey and a Shih Tzu named Rex. She loves spending her free time with her family and loves being a mom most of all!
Jenna - Veterinary Assistant
Jenna was raised in Austin, Texas. Even as a child, she had a passion and love for animals and their well-being. She grew up with all kinds of dogs, cats, horses, and birds. As a kid and teenager, she showed a Welsh pony and Quarter Horse in the hunter jumper circuit. She spent her summers working in Creede, CO where she met her husband, and it wasn’t long before they decided to set roots in Monte Vista. They have one son, who they are raising on a small farm. They raise cattle, chickens, rabbits, and Labrador Retrievers. She enjoys taking the dogs on hikes all around the Valley, and definitely loves being out in nature with her kid and furkids!
Vernon - Veterinary Assistant
Vernon has been with Alpine Veterinary Hospital since 2017. He started as a receptionist and has worked his way to becoming a head technician in Alamosa. He likes that he gets to help the veterinarians, patients, and owners. His wonderful sense of humor and genuine compassion for animals and people makes him invaluable to the practice. He is married to Machelle Maes, and together they have two children and three grandchildren. They also have two English Bulldogs, Agnes and Lupe. He enjoys hunting,fishing, camping, coaching wrestling, and most of all spending time with his family.
Miranda - Veterinary Assistant
Miranda is a Missouri native, brought to the valley by a charming potato farmer! She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2017 with a Bachelor's in Large Animal Science and Minor in Fine Arts. She has always loved getting to work with equine and cattle, but is especially a sucker for a sweet Doodle! She was very excited to join us in August of 2020. She hopes to someday have her own herd of cattle to tend, providing the best meal- beef, potatoes, and beer! She is blessed with two horses, Gambler and Caro and two sweet pups, Aspen and Teton (like the potato). In the warmer-ish months she and her husband are either riding horses, out on the tractor, or in the mountains camping and hiking, and in the winter they are complete ski junkies! Also... GO CHIEFS!
Isabelle - Veterinary Assistant
Izzy was born and raised in Colorado. She worked at the Creede Animal Hospital starting at the age of 13, graduated high school and soon after came to work at AVH in the fall of 2019. She loves to do anything outdoors and spend time with friends and family. She has a blue heeler named Poppy and a rescue cat named Poptart.
Lexi H- Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised on a ranch in the San Luis Valley, Lexi came to work at Alpine after college. She loves working cows, riding horses, and spending time with her husband and all of their critters.
Codi, LVT - Veterinary Technician & Receptionist
Codi grew up in rural Elm Creek, NE where she attended high school. In high school she competed in High School Rodeo and 4-H. After high school, she attended Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington, Wyoming where she graduated with an associate’s degree as a Veterinary Technician. Codi joined Bertrand Vet Clinic after she graduated from EWC in December 2012; and attained her licensure in April 2013. Codi has recently joined the team at Alpine Vet Hopsital after working 10 years at Bertrand Vet Clinic. In her free time, she loves spending time with family, riding horses, barrel racing, working cattle, hunting, fishing; and anything else she can do outdoors. She is living in Alamosa with her boyfriend James. She has a blue heeler named Dalli, toy aussie named Rowdi, horses, and cattle.
Debbie - Receptionist
Debbie was born in Monte Vista, and has lived here most of her life. She has worked at Alpine Veterinary Hospital twice before for a total of thirteen or so years. She has two sons from her first marriage, and when she married Mr. Harris let her share his two sons as well. Between them, they have six grandkids so be careful where the conversation goes, she is a quick draw with their pictures! Charlie and she have five dogs and two cats. Brat and Bob keep the mouse population down while Lucy and Ethel, the chihuahuas make sure the big dogs are not having too much fun. George, Max and Budreaux keep the dust from settling in the back yard. Debbie loves to explore our beautiful mountains whenever she gets the chance and she tends to spend the bulk of her summer evenings in the garden. After a year and a half away, she is excited to be back at Alpine. She loved the veterinary world from the start. Getting to know people and their animals help make her family feel even bigger.
Beth - Receptionist
After moving back to the SLV, Beth joined the AVH team in November of 2019, and has since become the head receptionist in Alamosa! Previously having worked at a small animal clinic in Pueblo, large animals have been a learning experience! Animals are her passion, almost as much as her six children and ten grandbabies! Her fur babies include Gizmo, a yorkie, and Tucker, her naughty mini Aussie.
Kelly - Receptionist
Kelly has worked in the veterinary field since 2017. The thing she likes most about her job is the work environment, which is fun and challenging every day. In her free time, Kelly enjoys hanging out with her family and going to the mountains. She and her family have two boxers, one cat and a turtle!
Jessica - Receptionist
Jessica has worked for Alpine since 2017, first as a cleaner and now as a receptionist. She loves her family and critters and always has a smile for everyone. She has a boxer named Rutger and a Chihuahua named Lily.
Machelle - Cleaner
Machelle grew up in Thornton, CO. She has lived in Monte Vista for 21 years. She married her high school sweetheart and they have been married for 29 years. Her husband also works at Alpine as a veterinary technician. They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Machelle loves to go camping and fishing with her family. She has been working at Alpine Veterinary Hospital for 2 years. The best part of her job is her coworkers- they are great people to work with. They do a great job taking care of all the animals who come in and need care. They are all very professional and very caring!
Miss Kitty
Dr. Bob Steffens saved Miss Kitty as a kitten from the jaws of a swather. She had managed to fracture both hind limbs, one of which he saved, the other of which she lost. Her gorgeous siamese tabby facade and creative three-legged gait cover the personality of a 50 year old lady- sometimes affectionate, usually well put-together, occasionally impatient and gruff, and always always the supreme confident grand dame of the Alamosa hospital.
Binx
When a box with a tiny innocent black kitten was left outside the old Alamosa hospital’s door one cold and blustery night in October of 2014, none of us could dare imagine that he would live anywhere but with us forever. Then the tiny innocent kitten, opportunistically named Binx, grew up. And up. Until he was a gargantuan 18 pound panther who now terrorizes the security cameras, slinks around the lobby counters with an intimidating Amazonian stare, spills several drinks every day, tears open and enjoys the spoils of multiple expensive prescription food bags, and continues to charm and earn love from every one of us, even Miss Kitty.
8 Mile
If you’re ever in the barn at the Monte Vista hospital, you’ll definitely catch a glimpse of the most voluptuous cat to ever grace the earth. 8 Mile was discovered by Bonnie on the side of a road...the er…8 South to be exact, and has made her home viciously killing mice (although no one knows exactly HOW she pulls off this feat), intimidating dogs, and wrapping herself helpfully around horse patient’s legs in the MV barn. Multiple times a day, folks ask if she’s pregnant. The answer nowadays is a shamefaced, mumbled….”No, that’s just her figure.” Feel free to snuggle and cuddle her- she adores attention!
Toast
Toast was brought to our Alamosa hospital one cold mid-winter day after having been discovered inside a burning house and in pretty rough shape. His previous owner had lit a bonfire in his living room to stay warm, and Toast was the sole surviving animal. His burnt ear tips add to his hilarious charm and endear him to everyone around, even when he is being ornery.
Sherman
Sherman joined Alpine in MV in the winter of 2021, as a tiny abandoned kitten. He quickly fit into his role as "therapy cat" for both the staff and the clients. The empathy and love he shows to anyone who is having a rough day is somewhat remarkable. His large "hay belly" is due, in part, to the treats he successfully begs and his lack of any real motivation to exercise. So, no, he is not pregnant.
