Meet our team
Our veterinarians
Melanie A. Marsden
Owner, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Melanie Marsden is originally from South Dakota, but has lived in Colorado Springs for many years. She attended the University of California, Davis, receiving a BS in Zoology and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She shares her home with her husband, two children, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, geese, bunnies and various strays.
Dr. Marsden served on committees or boards for The Colorado Division of Wildlife, The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Board of Pharmacy, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation. She works with first-year vet students at Colorado State University, is Past President of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association and serves as a Colorado representative in the American Veterinary Medical Association House of Delegates
Jeff Fowler
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Jeff made Colorado his home when he received his BA in Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder and then his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University with an emphasis on small animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Jeff joined PPVC early on with Drs. Larry and Sue Wiseman and eventually bought the practice from them.
Sadly, Dr. Jeff developed allergies to pets which meant an early retirement. However, his love of veterinary medicine compelled him to do whatever he could to recover and return to PPVC, having maintained his continuing education and license. His practice interests include reptiles, small mammals, canine sports medicine and orthopedic diagnosis.
Britta Lay
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Britta Lay grew up in small town Oklahoma. Her “Okie” roots led her to pursue a BS in Animal Science and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. After graduation, she found her way to Colorado with her husband who serves in the Space Force at Schriever, AFB.
Dr. Lay’s special interests include geriatrics, hospice and palliative care, and feline medicine. She enjoys forming bonds with both animals and their owners. Outside of PPVC, she strives to broaden her knowledge of medicine and surgery by working in emergency hospitals. She shares her home with her husband and five elderly cats. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, reading, baking, and spending time with family.
Lauren May
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. May is originally from Anaheim Hills, CA. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from UCLA and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Prior to joining PPVC, Dr. May completed an internship in medicine and surgery in Ventura, CA, worked as an emergency/critical care vet at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and worked as an emergency vet at the Animal Emergency Care Centers in Colorado Springs.
Dr. May is most interested in developing her already extensive knowledge in internal medicine, critical care, and surgery. Outside of working hours, you can find her with her husband and son, playing with her two shelties, Hansel and Shea, or skiing, mountain biking, doing yoga and running.
Robbie Unsell
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Robbie Unsell is originally from southern Illinois and lived in Salem, OR and Chicago before moving to Colorado Springs in 2020. Before joining PPVC, he previously worked at Bear Creek Veterinary Care, Carol Stream Animal Hospital, and Animal Emergency Center. He attended the Royal Veterinary College in London, UK and is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He has worked as an emergency and general practice veterinarian.
Dr. Unsell’s main interests are internal medicine, dermatology, and urgent care. He is fear-free certified and enjoys providing low-stress veterinary care to pets who suffer from fear, anxiety and stress. His favorite part of veterinary medicine is forming meaningful relationships with his clients, patients, and staff, and being there when people need it most. Outside of work you can find him gardening or hiking with his wife, two sons, and two dogs, or playing baseball for his local team The Yard Goats.
David Zillig
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Zillig grew up in Lincoln, NE and received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine joint program where he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2023.
Dr. Zillig’s loves caring for all creatures from dogs and cats to reptiles and small mammals. He struggles to pick a favorite species or special interest, hence his draw toward general practice. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Zillig enjoys biking, hiking, and eating (along with the rest of us).
Veterinary Technicians & Assistants
Jamie
Technician Supervisor
Registered Veterinary Technician
After working in business, Jamie’s love of animals compelled her to earn her technician degree. After graduating from Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology, she was hired by PPVC and loves to work with as many different species as possible! Outside of work, you’ll find Jamie with her husband, kiddo, and pets, including chickens, a rabbit, a leopard gecko and a dog.
Anna
Registered Veterinary Technician
Anna is a Colorado native who started with PPVC as a client. She received her degree in Zoo Keeping then went on to complete her technician degree at Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology. Anna has a special place in her heart for rescues and reptiles. When not at work she enjoys camping, hiking, hunting, and lounging with her husband, two kids, corn snake, and Golden Retriever.
Ashley
Veterinary Technician
Ashley is a Senior Veterinary Technician here at PPVC. She loves surgery and the variety of pets who enter our doors. Outside of work, Ashley loves the outdoors. During the winter you will find her snowboarding and spending time with friends in the mountains.
Christin
Veterinary Assistant
Christin, a veterinary assistant at PPVC, is a kind and compassionate soul with a heart for all animals and a special love of cats. At work you will find her behind the scenes in our lab, helping our team with patients, and caring for the many strays and feral cats we bring in. Some might say she is a cat whisperer. Outside of work, Christin loves spending time with her family and remodeling her home.
Heather
Veterinary Technician
Heather loves to see clients through generations of pets and seeing the human-animal-bone in both patients and clients. Although we have a menagerie of animals that come through our doors, she has an affinity toward the geriatrics that need a bit of extra TLC to keep them comfortable in their golden years. After growing up around every kind of animal imaginable, she gravitated to a career as a registered veterinary technician.
Jess
Registered Veterinary Technician
Jess, a registered veterinary technician, is a long-time Coloradan with a heart for the rescue, diabetic and exotic pets at PPVC. She followed her life-long passion for animals into the veterinary medical field after twenty years in social work and customer service. In addition to being the mother of five mostly adult children, Jess loves concerts, conventions and all things nerdy. Next time you see her at the clinic, say “May the Force be with you” and you will make her day.
Jessi
Veterinary Technician
Jessi has been a veterinary technician since 2015, working in several small private practices and corporate practice before joining PPVC. She loves animal behavior, surgery, and connecting with clients. She grew up with animals from chinchillas to llamas to chameleons! Outside of work, you’ll find her with her son, horses, dogs and cats, or attending a horse event.
Kori
Registered Veterinary Technician
Kori graduated from the Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology, after which she and her husband moved to Georgia where she worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician for 4.5 years. However, Georgia is not Colorado, so they took the plunge and moved back to enjoy the outdoors and work on their home. Kori and her husband steward three dogs and two cats and are the proud parents of one adorable son.
Kayla
Registered Veterinary Technician
Kayla has been in the veterinary field since 2016. She graduated from Pima Medical School in 2017 with an Associates in Veterinary Technology. She joined PPVC as a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2022. Kayla was born and raised in Colorado and enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, reading and putting a smile on everyone’s face. Currently Kayla is the mother of one son and has two dogs and three cats at home.
Mary
Registered Veterinary Technician
Mary, a registered veterinary technician, grew up on a farm in Alberta, Canada. She’s always had a passion for animals and veterinary medicine. A registered veterinary technician since 2013, Mary has volunteered with a sea turtle rescue in North Carolina and black-footed ferret conservation with Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Mary loves connecting with clients and caring for surgical and hospitalized patients. She is a mom of two children and has three adorable guinea pigs at home.
Regina
Registered Veterinary Technician
Tammy
Registered Veterinary Technician
Tammy, a registered veterinary technician, is a native Coloradan. She served in the Army alongside her husband for 22 years. She the proud mother of two children and a grandmother to three granddaughters. At 50, Tammy followed her passion for animals and entered the world of veterinary medicine.
Tayler
Veterinary Technician
Tayler has been in the field since 2018, when she started as a vet assistant and worked her way up to technician. She loves coming to work and seeing and working with all the sweet pets! She currently have five dogs who fills most of her time off, as well as her husband and toddler!
Tillie
Registered Veterinary Technician
A native of South Dakota, Tillie moved to Colorado in 1987, after graduating from the National College of Business in Grand Rapids, South Dakota. She has an Associates in Veterinary Technology, is a Registered Veterinary Technician, and has worked a number of local clinics over the years. Tillie loves both gardening and reading. At home she has a flock of chickens, four dogs, two guinea pigs, one cat and a tank of fish.
Tyler
Registered Veterinary Technician
Tyler graduated from Colorado Mountain College’s Veterinary Technology Program with Phi Theta Kappa, President’s and Dean’s List honors. Tyler’s family-owned dogsledding business allowed her to work with over 200 Alaskan and Siberian huskies. Tyler absolutely loves coming into work every day. On a day off, Tyler spends time with her family, dogs and ferrets.
Client Care Specialists
Nur
Client Care Specialist
Working around animals was always Nur’s passion. She say it’s blissful to be part of the PPVC family to contribute to this community. Colorado’s beauty mesmerizes her. On the weekends, she likes to hike and drive around with her husband and two boys. She adopted her cat, Callie Girl, from the shelter when she came to the US in 2016.
Sheri
Client Care Specialist Assistant
Sheri made her home in Colorado after living in both California and Arizona. Here at PPVC she helps up front, takes care of our mountains of pet laundry and still finds time to take care of all of us! The mother of two grown children, she now enjoys spending time with her husband and their rambunctious dog Lucky.
Stormi
Client Care Specialist
Stormi has been a part of our client Care Specialist team since 2022. She is our “calm in the midst of the storm” person, keeping our front desk a peaceful and welcoming space. Outside of PPVC, Stormi practices meditation and is studying naturopathic medicine.
Krystle
Client Care Specialist
Krystle is one of our Client Care Specialists. She is an ecologist at heart who has an equal love for botany and mycology. She loves hiking and being outdoors. An integral part of our front team, Krystle loves to meet clients and say hi to their pets. If you see fresh wildflowers in the clinic, you know they are provided by Krystle.
Cynthia
Client Care Specialist
Cynthia was born and raised in Germany. She trained as a veterinary technician and found her calling working up front with clients. With her warm and welcoming demeanor and her passion for animal behavior, she strives to read animal cues in order to make each pet’s visit as stress-free as possible.
Management
Kathy
Practice Manager
Kathy moved to Colorado Springs in 1997. Her background includes management, publishing, and teaching. Kathy enjoys combining her many skills to support the PPVC staff, clients, and their fur families. Outside the clinic Kathy runs a small publishing company and owns a reindeer farm. She can always be found taking care of her own family, including her partner, two teens, several horses, dogs, cats, reptiles and, of course, reindeer!
Michele
Project Specialist
Michele was super excited to join PPVC and use her background in business development and administration to help foster a new era. The veterinary field is constantly changing and Michele helps us keep up with social media and special projects. She can often be seen walking the neighborhood, growing vegetables in her front yard, or attending musical events with her husband, Steve.
Nola
Administrative Assistant
Nola is a true animal person by nature and has had pets all of her life. She helps keep things running smoothly by helping us manage people and accounts, plus out-of-the-ordinary tasks. When not at PPVC, she helps take care of any feral or stray cats that cross her path, finding homes for the friendly ones and feeding colonies of the ferals. She shares her life with her husband, several cats, and one very outnumbered dog—all rescues.
Roxanne
Client Care Specialist
Human Resources Specialist
Roxanne is a Colorado Springs native with a great love for all animals. She started my career in human medicine and transitioned to animal medicine after her own cat had cancer. Areas of special interest are grief support and Fear Free practices. Her first word was “cat,” and now she has two 19.5-year-old kitty sisters, Juliet and Phoebe.