Our Compassionate Veterinary Team
Sarah
Lead Veterinary Technician
Born and raised in the Denver area, Sarah has worked in the veterinary field since 2008. Caring for pets, meeting people, and being part of a stand-out hospital team brings Sarah much joy. When Sarah is not at Indian Tree, she enjoys fixing things, arts and crafts, and camping. She is also interested in the paranormal and ghost hunting. German Shepherds and Pomeranians hold a special place in Sarah’s heart. Her first pet was a Pomeranian named Angel, and she currently has 2 cats named Blue and Bobby.
Wendy
Registered Veterinary Technician
Wendy holds a certificate in veterinary assisting and takes pride in forming positive relationships with clients and their pets, along with the amazing staff at Indian Tree. In her free time, Wendy likes 4-wheeling, special fx makeup, cake decorating, and going to concerts and Comic Con. Wendy grew up in Arvada and still can’t get enough of Amici’s italian cuisines. At home, she has a PitBull named Chopper, a Cane Corso mix named Harlene Quinn, and four cats named Angel, Jack, Scrappy, and Spike.
Erin Stendebach
Lead Trainer/ RVT
Erin embarked on her career in the veterinary field in 2014, driven by a profound passion for animal welfare. She is dedicated to helping clients gain a deeper understanding of their pets and is committed to meeting their needs with compassion and expertise.
Residing with her husband and their three beloved dogs-Whiskey, a Golden Retriever; Aspen, affectionately known as Noodle, a Border Collie; and Atlas, a mix of Border Collie and Australian Shepherd-Erin finds joy in both her professional and personal life.
In her leisure time, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, dispersed camping, and backpacking. Additionally, Erin has a keen interest in photography and video games, which allows her to explore her creative side.
Shannon F.
Technician Supervisor
Shannon graduated from Drake University in Iowa in 2017 with a BA in Environmental Sustainability & Resilience and a concentration in Animal Welfare/Cruelty. She lives in Denver with her two cats, Bourdaine, a female Torti and Sir Wellington, a Tabby. In her free time, Shannon loves cooking and watching cooking shows. She also volunteers at the House Rabbit Society of CO/SD.
Caroline Carlson
Veterinary Assistant
A sixth generation Texan, Caroline attended Austin College in Sherman, TX from 2001-2005 and majored in Art & Music. She worked at a veterinary clinic in the Denver metro from 2017-2020, cross-training in veterinary assistance and reception. She has been at Indian Tree since 2021 and is the OSHA Safety Officer. Caroline’s areas of interest include feline medicine and comforting pets & their people during the humane euthanasia process.
She and her husband have two cats, Bun Bun & Trash Panda, domestic shorthair sisters. In her free time Caroline sings in the Boulder Chorale full choir, as well as with their smaller auditioned chamber group. She is a CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow) volunteer weather observer, submitting daily precipitation & significant weather reports year round. In addition, she is a trained National Weather Service SKYWARN Storm Spotter. She enjoys exploring the great outdoors, traveling, gardening, and relaxing at home.
Elizabeth
Registered Veterinary Technician
Elizabeth, originally from St. Louis, made her way to Colorado in early 2022. With a career in the veterinary field that began in 2017, she has developed a keen interest in animal behavior and rescue rehabilitation. Elizabeth is particularly passionate about advocating for her patients, striving to ensure that frightened animals have a positive experience during their visits. She also values the opportunity to connect with clients, effectively communicating about their pets’ health and well-being.
At home, Elizabeth shares her life with two beloved pets: a Border Collie/Shepherd mix named Otto and an Oriental mix cat named Oliver. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading and exploring her creative side through art.
Taylor
Registered Veterinary Technician
Taylor has been a dedicated professional in the veterinary field since 2011. She began her career as a veterinary assistant and has since advanced to the role of registered veterinary technician, demonstrating her commitment to animal care and her expertise in the field. Taylor has a particular interest in surgical procedures, where she applies her skills and knowledge to ensure the best outcomes for her patients.
At home, Taylor shares her life with her husband and their three beloved pets: two Pembroke Welsh Corgis named Jade and Desoto, and an English Bull Terrier named Harley Quinn.
In her leisure time, Taylor indulges her passion for arts and crafts, exploring various creative projects. Additionally, she is an enthusiastic Halloween aficionado, eagerly embracing the spirit of the season each year.
Sarah McMurphy "Mac"
Registered Veterinary Technician
Sarah was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She graduated from Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls in the spring of 2023 and then relocated to Colorado. Currently, Sarah resides in Wheat Ridge, where she shares her home with her dog, Rosie, and her cat, Elizabeth. Sarah is known affectionately as “Mac” here at Indian Tree.
An avid outdoor enthusiast, Sarah enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, and horseback riding. Her lifelong passion for animals has driven her to dedicate her time and efforts to their care and well-being from an early age.
Jess Meyer
Veterinary Assistant
Animals have always been a big part of Jess’ life. Caring for them is more than a job—it’s a true passion. Before joining the veterinary field, she spent many years as a dedicated, ethical breeder and later managed a couple boarding, grooming, and daycare facilities. These experiences deepened her love for animals and taught her the importance of compassionate, individualized care.
Jess loves being part of an amazing team that shares her commitment to helping pets live their best lives and supporting the families who love them. When she’s not at the hospital, Jess finds her peace spending the day cooking something warm and hearty, reading a good book, going for a climb, or taking a long- distance swim.
Emily Aluise
Vet Tech
Born and raised in the south metro Denver area, Emily has worked in the veterinary field for 13 years. She started out as a kennel tech and veterinary assistant before earning her certification. She has interests in dental procedures, surgery, and anesthesia. Outside of work she loves spending time with her husband and 2 young daughters and 2 cats, arts and crafts, and baking. Emily is currently working on becoming a certified Grief Coach for pet loss and is passionate about helping clients through the tough time of losing their beloved pets.
Britney Hartman
CCR Supervisor/Social Media & Events
Britney is a Colorado native whose journey began growing up on a farm where her love for animals first took root. With over 20 years of experience in customer service and supervision, Britney has honed her skills in connecting with people. She initially ventured into the culinary arts, cooking professionally for several years, but eventually discovered her true passion: helping animals and their humans.
When she’s not at Indian Tree, you can find Britney running a nonprofit organization she founded that assists in locating missing persons. Britney also loves hiking, whipping up delicious meals and baked goods, and spending quality time with her two dogs and two cats. Britney is passionate about TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Release) and volunteers with several local animal rescues.
David Bowie
Office Cats
With his dashing orange fur and undeniable charm, David Bowie is more than just a pretty face—he’s the heart and soul of our clinic! Whether he’s supervising appointments from the front desk, offering emotional support snuggles, or strutting his stuff down the hallway like it’s a catwalk, Bowie keeps everything running purr-fectly smooth.
He may not have opposable thumbs, but he’s definitely the boss (just don’t tell the vets). Come by and say hi—he loves head scratches, compliments, and being told he’s handsome. Because he is. Obviously.
Eddie Van Halen
Office Cats
Eddie may not shred guitars, but he does melt hearts. This white, cloud-like feline is our resident emotional support specialist—always ready with a head bump, a cuddle, or a quiet moment of calm for our hardworking team.
He adores the staff (and the feeling is mutual!) and brings peaceful vibes wherever he goes. Whether he’s lounging in sunbeams or checking in on everyone’s wellbeing, Eddie reminds us all to pause, purr, and breathe. Rock on, sweet Eddie.