Dr. William T. Puryear
Veterinarian / Owner
Dr. William T. Puryear is a General Practitioner and the owner of Faithful Friends Animal Hospital since 1996.
A native of Model, Colorado, Dr. Puryear says there were two significant influences that helped him decide to become a veterinarian. “Growing up as an only child on a ranch in Southern Colorado, the animals were pretty important to me, especially an old English sheep dog named BJ,” he says. “That dog protected me, encouraged me, played with me and so on, and this loyalty stimulated a desire to help animals. Additionally, one of my science teachers, Mr. Maglia, instilled a love of science in me. I suppose you could say that B.J. helped me want to help animals and Mr. Maglia encouraged the science aspect of doing that. They are the reasons I am a veterinarian today.”
After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a jet mechanic, Dr. Puryear attended Colorado State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then entered Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences where he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1995.
His area of particular professional interest is surgery for which Dr. Puryear has taken a number of continuing education courses in order to expand his knowledge of orthopedic procedures. He has also completed continuing education coursework in ultrasound and otoscopic procedures.
Dr. Puryear and his wife Pamela, our Office Manager, have two children. Amanda is in her mid-twenties and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in biology and teaches third grade. Danny is in his late teens and graduated from Colorado Springs Christian School in 2011 and plans to attend college and major in accounting.
At home, Dr. Puryear has a Rough Coated Collie named Maria, an English Bulldog named Lizzie and a cat named Swat. He also volunteers with the El Passo County Sheriff’s Office and the Fountain Police Department to provide care for their police K9s. His interests include Vee Amis Jitsu (he is a fourth-degree black belt), motorcycle riding, skiing, scuba diving, working out at the gym, reading, and studying Roman Catholic history and traditions. However, he says spending time with his family makes him the happiest.
Dr. Kacey R. Carr
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Kacey R. Carr is a general practitioner and a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, class of 2015.
Throughout his early life Kacey was a small, quiet, kid that rarely had friends of the human-kind. Naturally, he spent his time outside amongst the four-legged creatures of the earth. It was not uncommon for Kacey to bring home injured animals in order to rehabilitate them back to health. Fast forward twenty years… Kacey, his wife, and their two pre-teen daughters now have a hobby farm in Black Forest that has included dogs, cats, pigs, goats, yaks, rabbits, ducks, and chickens.
Following in Dr. Puryear’s footsteps Kacey has a strong passion for surgery and has undergone advanced training in orthopedics, ophthalmology, and other various soft tissue surgical procedures. Prior to joining the team at Faithful Friends Dr. Carr performed advanced surgical procedures for 19 other animal hospitals and served as a veterinary surgical instructor at Pima Medical Institute.
Outside of work you can find Kacey, and his family, caring for the 20+ animals on their hobby farm, hiking 14ers, mountain biking, camping, racing cars at PPIR, or other adrenaline related activities.
Pamela Puryear
Hospital Director / Owner
Since June of 1996, Pamela Puryear has been the Hospital Manager at Faithful Friends Animal Hospital. In addition to her years of experience, she attended the Veterinary Management School and is currently studying for certification in veterinary practice management.
“I really like working with my husband to help make our clients’ pets’ lives long, happy, and healthy ones,” she says. “I also love the clients and their animals, especially when I get to play with the baby puppies and kittens.”
When she isn’t running our office, Pamela enjoys reading, going to the gym, going on motorcycle rides, sitting on the porch swing, and listening to the sounds of life around her. At home, she has a mixed breed named Leroy Brown, Collie named Maria, English Bulldog named Lizzy, and a grey Tabby named Swat.
Katie Vella CVT
Practice Lead
Hey, everyone! I have had the privilege of working at Faithful Friends Animal Hospital since 2016. I started out as an extern after going to school for my veterinary technician degree. Immediately, I fell in love with the clinic and what it stands for and have been here ever since! I now hold the position of Practice Lead and have the opportunity to work with the best veterinary team in Colorado Springs (maybe I am slightly biased).
My husband and I are originally from a small town in Southeastern Michigan. After several years of living in Washington state (love you, Seattle!), we moved here to Colorado which we now call our home. We live here with our three dogs (Mistake, Ireland and Henna) and two cats (Marilyn and Si) who always keep life interesting! My favorite things in life include: coffee, gardening, exploring the outdoors, having my nose stuck in a book and my early morning meditations.
I am very proud to work at a practice that ensures such a high standard of care. I am truly grateful to be able to work with our lovely patients, our wonderful clientele and our amazing staff. Here is a quote I try to live by from one of my favorite authors, Sylvia Plath: “Remember, remember, this is now, and now, and now. Live it, feel it, cling to it. I want to become acutely aware of all I’ve taken for granted.”
RECEPTIONISTS
Lynne Roedema
Hi, I’m Lynne. I live with my husband and dog Kona in the mts. near Florissant. I’ve always loved animals & was involved with Wolf education. I started working at our veterinary clinic & have been with Faithful Friends for 25+ years. In the beginning, I was involved with many hospital duties. As we grew, I settled in as a receptionist. It’s the best as I’m able to provide service to clients that are like family and their beloved pets. Knowing I help pets have a better quality of life is very rewarding.
Tiffany Ferriman
Hi, my name is Tiffany. I love my profession with a passion. I love being a part of a team that cares so much for their patients and clients. I got into this profession for my love for animals. I currently finished school for my Veterinary assistant certificate, my plan is to continue my education and go to be a Certified Veterinary Technician. When I’m not in the clinic I enjoy being outdoors but with Colorado weather, I do settle with a nice movie inside. I can’t wait to meet all of you!
TECHNICIANS
Brittany Strader, CVT
Lead Technician
Brittany Archuleta
Technician
Stacy Johnson
Technician
Hello I’m Stacy. I have been a technician for just over 10 years and at Faithful Friends for 2 years! I love what we do and love being apart of this clinic!
When I’m not working I love spending time with my husband, 4 kids and heeler named Kimber. We love to go camping, fishing and just exploring the mountains.
ASSISTANTS
Cheyenne Little
Veterinary Assistant – Technician in training
Hi, I’m Cheyenne! I had the pleasure of starting my journey in the veterinary field with Faithful Friends in 2019. Helping animals has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Working at an amazing clinic with a staff that cares so deeply for both clients and patients has been such a wonderful experience.
At home I have 4 cats of my own, Amara, Drexel, Mazikeen, and Rupert. They are a handful, but they give the best snuggles! They have all brought their own special kind of love into my life and I couldn’t imagine a day without them.
When I’m not at work, or at home taking care of my own furry kiddos, I’m at school to get my CVT. I also spend time working on my cars and cruising around town either on my own or with my friends.
Victoria Rincon
Veterinary Assistant – Technician in training
Hi there! I’m Victoria and I’ve been here at Faithful Friends for a little over a year and have loved every second of it!
When I’m not working, I enjoy watching the Office with my fiancé and reading all different genres of books. I am in school to earn my CVT. I can’t wait to see you and your furry babies!
Hunter Harned
Veterinary Assistant – Technician in training
FAQs
What should I wear to an animal hospital interview? ›
Arrive on time and appropriately dressed. While it probably isn't essential to wear a suit to a veterinary clinic interview, dress in business casual attire. For women this means slacks or a skirt and a pressed blouse, while for men, slacks, a button-down shirt and tie is appropriate.
Why is trust with your team in a medical veterinarian office so important? ›Trust in your employees brings innovation to your veterinary team. When employees are allowed to apply a variety of problem-solving techniques, fresh ideas emerge. Trust among team members is a key element for success.
What do you think a veterinarian's role is in the community? ›Today's veterinarians are the only doctors educated to protect the health of both animals and people. They work hard to address the health and welfare needs of every species of animal. Veterinarians also play critical roles in environmental protection, research, food safety, and public health.
What is the animals hospital called? ›Veterinary hospital definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary.
What questions should I ask at a vet interview? ›What skills and expertise can you bring to my practice that is unique from other individuals? What are your greatest strengths and what are areas you want to improve upon? Tell me about a time when you had conflict with a co-worker. How did you handle it?
Do vet receptionists wear scrubs? ›Dress code: will be required to wear clinic provided scrubs with embroidered name or name badge; opt for every other Friday (1st and 3rd of the month), dress down into scrubs of your choosing as long as they are fitted and clean.
What is the base of professional relationship among veterinarians? ›The veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is the basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients, and their patients and is critical to the health of animals.
Why is communication important during euthanasia? ›Communication is key
The most important aspect of taking care of your client in this difficult time is to make sure you really focus on communicating clearly, effectively and, most importantly, with sincere empathy. First, I listen to their concerns, and why they have made the difficult decision to euthanise their pet.
Clearly Define Roles
Without such clarity, team members are likely to waste energy negotiating roles or protecting turf, rather than focusing on the task. With clearly defined roles, employees can work independently and with more efficiency.
| Percentile | 10% | 50% (Median) |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $ 29.21 | $ 48.26 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $ 60,760 | $ 100,370 |
Who is in the household responsible for management and treatment of sick animals? ›
Vets and health
Veterinarians are trained to identify, cure and prevent disease in animals. Thus, as many veterinarians consider health a key part of animal welfare, one might suggest that a veterinary answer to the question on who is responsible for animal welfare would be the veterinarian.
Veterinarians must be compassionate when working with animals and their owners. They must treat animals with kindness and respect, and must be sensitive when dealing with the owners of sick pets. Decision-making skills. Veterinarians must decide the correct method for treating the injuries and illnesses of animals.
Do Vets Get Dr title? ›Veterinary surgeons across the world use the title 'Dr'. For some, the title recognises their academic achievement, for example, the degrees awarded by North American and European universities carry with them a doctoral level of attainment.
Is a veterinarian a real doctor? ›You might think of veterinarians as the medical professionals who simply care for dogs, cats, and similar domestic animals. Like other doctors, veterinarians attend school to get a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree before being a practicing vet.
What types of veterinarians make the most money? ›The highest paid veterinary specialty is: Ophthalmology
You'll need to work for those specialties, though — certification requires an additional 2 to 3 years of study on top of vet school at veterinary colleges with accreditation, plus passing an intensive exam.
- Structure your answer in a way that makes sense. Stick to the past-present-future format, and you're all good!
- Keep it relevant and brief (1-2 minutes max). No one wants to hear your whole life story.
- Mention any of your top achievements and relevant work experiences.
As such you must be a natural communicator and confident engager and understand the needs of both humans and animals alike. You must also be able to remain calm with clients that may become upset or angered, and be empathetic towards situations that will be difficult for pet owners.
Is being a vet receptionist stressful? ›What you must remember is that visiting the vet can often be a stressful experience, with a lot of information to take in. Veterinary Receptionist responsibilities extend to checking in with each visitor as they leave to ask how their appointment was and if they have any questions.
What color scrubs do vets wear? ›The practice is located in an upscale metropolitan suburb, with a clientele that demands high-quality pet care and a comfortable clinic. Veterinarians are required to wear white lab coats with their names on the breast pocket. Veterinary technicians wear scrubs with the clinic name and logo tastefully displayed.
What do you wear to a vet school interview? ›A traditionally colored suit (black, navy blue, grey) with an attractive shirt and a matching tie works just fine. Make sure that your dress shoes, socks, and belts match and you are good to go.
Can I wear jeans to a vet tech interview? ›
If they want casual (but you want to look professional) maybe something like sperrys, nice jeans or kahkis, with a polo or some other not t-shirt, but not very fancy, blouse. Also as others have neocia suggested, pack some scrubs in case!
Should I wear scrubs to a vet assistant interview? ›Medelinskas prefers scrubs to a bad outfit, so for those who do not have business-casual clothing or aren't sure what it is, she recommends clean, pressed scrubs. In sum, proper dress for veterinary interviews is highly dependent upon the environment, situation and individual styles of practices.
What should a veterinary nurse wear? ›Be ready to jump in and help with the patients in the clinic which means forgoing the business professional attire and sparkly heels. Instead choose business casual or scrubs to help you look the part.