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Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic logo with text and images of pine tree, dog, and cat
Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic logo with text and images of pine tree, dog, and cat
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MEET YOUR CARE TEAM

COMPASSIONATE PET CARE FROM OUR EXPERT VETS

At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we work hard to ensure every interaction you have with our team brings you comfort and relief. We understand that every moment with your pet is precious, so we want to do all we can to lengthen the time you have together. Our team is composed of compassionate individuals who treat your pet as their own, while fostering a genuine, kind relationship with you. We want you to be comfortable during every step of the process here at Ponderosa. Explore our team below and get to know the caring individuals you’ll meet at our Colorado Springs veterinary clinic.

MEET OUR VETERINARIANS

Vet And Dog At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic

Rick Coufal, DVM

Founder and Lead Veterinarian

A native of Colorado, Dr. Coufal grew up on a small family farm surrounded by animals big and small. His participation in 4-H over the course of many years led him to choose veterinary medicine as his profession.

Rick coufal

Rick Coufal, DVM - Founder and Lead Veterinarian at Ponderosa

A native of Colorado, Dr. Coufal grew up on a small family farm surrounded by animals big and small. His participation in 4-H over the course of many years led him to choose veterinary medicine as his profession. He went on to graduate from Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in May of 2000, and started working in the Black Forest community later that year.

He continues to find great satisfaction in the day-to-day challenges that running a veterinary clinic in Colorado Springs presents. Whether it’s performing preventative health screenings or a complicated surgical procedure, Dr. Coufal truly enjoys what he does. Aside from his affinity for animals, Dr. Coufal enjoys wildlife photography, camping, fly fishing and spending time at home with his wife, three children and plethora of pets.

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KIRK CARROLL Veterinarian

Kirk Carroll, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Carroll is a 1989 graduate of Louisiana State University, and joined Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic in 2017. After graduating from LSU, he practiced in Marianna, Florida, before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Rick coufal

Kirk Carroll, DVM

Dr. Carroll is a 1989 graduate of Louisiana State University, and joined Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic in 2017. After graduating from LSU, he practiced in Marianna, Florida, before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. He remained in Charlotte until he moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to family. Dr. Carroll exclusively works with cats and dogs, and has an interest in dermatology and dentistry/oral surgery. In an effort to feed his interest, he attended several courses at the Animal Dental Training Center in Baltimore, MD.

 

Outside of practice, you can find Dr. Carroll cooking, grilling, writing, working in his greenhouse and spending time with his wife and eight pets. As a new Coloradan, he’s begun hiking the beautiful mountains and is working his way towards hiking Pikes Peak. He and his wife also enjoy shooting, and take a trip to the range several times a month.

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Lauren Rippberger, DVM

Veterinarian

Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Rippberger completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Virginia in 2001 and graduated from Cornell University in 2006.

Rick coufal

Lauren Rippberger, DVM

Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Rippberger completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Virginia in 2001 and graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. After practicing in Charlottesville, Virginia for 13 years, Dr. Rippberger moved to Colorado Springs with her husband and 5 dogs and joined the talented veterinarians at Ponderosa.  

 

Dr. Rippberger enjoys reproductive and behavioral medicine and helping families care for their pets’ medical and behavioral needs. She has extensive dog training experience and has competed in many dog sports such as obedience, agility, and rally.  Lauren and her husband enjoy all of the outdoor hobbies that Colorado has to offer including skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

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Morgan Brace, DVM

Veterinarian

Originally from Reno, Nevada, Dr. Brace earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University, where she developed a strong foundation in animal care. 

Rick coufal

Morgan Brace, DVM

Originally from Reno, Nevada, Dr. Brace earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University, where she developed a strong foundation in animal care. After graduating in 2023, Dr. Brace moved to Colorado Springs with her two greyhounds and cat. With a deep commitment to the health and well-being of animals, Dr. Brace works to build lasting relationships with both pets and their owners. In her free time she enjoys hiking, camping, gardening and spending time with her pets.
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MEET OUR LEADERSHIP

Jennifer

Practice Manager, RVT

Jennifer is a dedicated Practice Manager and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) with a passion for building strong, supportive teams in veterinary medicine.

Rick coufal

Jennifer - Practice Manager, RVT

Jennifer is a dedicated Practice Manager and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) with a passion for building strong, supportive teams in veterinary medicine. Known for her empathy and approachable leadership style, she thrives on fostering a positive and collaborative work environment where both staff and patients feel cared for.

With a goofy sense of humor that keeps the team smiling, Jennifer brings energy and heart to her role every day. Outside of work, she recharges through hiking Colorado’s trails, conquering escape rooms, crushing workouts at the gym, and indulging her love for scary movies.

Committed to excellence in animal care and team development, Jennifer is proud to lead with compassion and enthusiasm in everything she does.

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MEET OUR VET TECHS & ASSISTANTS

Jami

Lead Technician, RVT

I have been in vetmed for 20 years now. It’s a beautiful thing when a passion and a career come together.

Rick coufal

Jami - Lead Technician, RVT

I have been in vetmed for 20 years now. It’s a beautiful thing when a passion and a career come together. I enjoy reading books, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. I love plants and fish tanks. I’m originally from the Midwest but followed my dream of moving to Colorado. I’ve had a lifelong passion for animals and love caring for them. 

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Kelly

Lead Technician, RVT

Kelly is a dedicated senior lead veterinary technician, a devoted mother of two boys, and a constant presence on the sidelines of youth sports fields and courts.

Rick coufal

Kelly - Lead Technician, RVT

Kelly is a dedicated senior lead veterinary technician, a devoted mother of two boys,  and a constant presence on the sidelines of youth sports fields and courts. She has been a practicing vet tech for over 30 years. Her pets include a dog she rescued 8 years ago and newly rescued stray cat. Her life is a balance of compassion, resilience, and unwavering support for both animals and her family.

 

In her professional role as a vet tech, Kelly brings a steady hand and a caring heart to every animal she helps. Whether assisting in procedures, comforting anxious pets, or supporting pet owners through difficult moments, she approaches her work with empathy and skill. Her passion for animal care isn’t just a job—it’s a calling rooted in patience, attentiveness, and a deep respect for the bond between people and their pets.

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Sean

Operations and Training Supervisor, RVT

Sean was born and raised in Colorado Springs and went straight into veterinary technician school after high school and graduated in 2023.

Rick coufal

Sean - Operations and Training Supervisor, RVT

Sean was born and raised in Colorado Springs and went straight into veterinary technician school after high school and graduated in 2023.  She enjoys the impact she has on both the lives of the patients but also the clients.

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Jenna

Veterinary Assistant

Hey y’all, my name is Jenna and I am one of the assistants at Ponderosa. Outside of work I am a full time veterinary technician student at Pima Medical Institute.

Rick coufal

Jenna, Veterinary Assistant

Hey y’all, my name is Jenna and I am one of the assistants at Ponderosa. Outside of work I am a full time veterinary technician student at Pima Medical Institute. I have 3 dogs Cash, Hank, and Waylon that are my whole entire world and the best boys around. My favorite things to do outside of work and school are hiking with my  fur babies, reading, and spending time with family, especially my niece. I am so grateful to be apart of this amazing team and can’t wait to build relationships with you and your fur babies!

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Izabelle (Izzy)

Veterinary Assistant

With over 10 years in the Veterinary field, I have found my passion providing the best care possible for our furry friends.

Rick coufal

Izabelle (Izzy), Veterinary Assistant

With over 10 years in the Veterinary field, I have found my passion providing the best care possible for our furry friends. I am currently pursuing my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which allows me to bring even more knowledge and skill to every patient I see. My goal is to provide compassionate, high-quality care that supports pets and their families through every stage of life.

At home, I’m a proud mom to a lively one-year-old son, a loyal dog, and a curious cat. Being a pet parent myself keeps me deeply connected to the everyday joys and challenges you face with your animals, and it fuels my commitment to exceptional care.

When I’m not in the clinic or studying, I recharge in Colorado’s beautiful outdoors—hiking and rock climbing in the Rockies, snowboarding during winter, camping under the stars, fishing on quiet mornings, or going out dancing whenever I get the chance. These adventures help me bring energy, balance, and a fresh perspective to my work every day.

I’m truly grateful to be part of this team and look forward to continuing to grow in the field while caring for your beloved pets.

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Caitlyn

Veterinary Assistant

Future vet tech in the making! When I’m not studying, you can find me reading or getting lost in a good video game.

Rick coufal

Caitlyn, Veterinary Assistant

Future vet tech in the making! 

When I’m not studying, you can find me reading or getting lost in a good video game. I’m big on family and making time for the people I care about. No fur babies yet (sadly), but counting down the days for one.

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Brittany

Veterinary Assistant

Hey, Pet Parents! My name is Brittany, and I’ve been with Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic since September 2021.

Rick coufal

Brittany, Veterinary Assistant

Hey, Pet Parents! My name is Brittany, and I’ve been with Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic since September 2021. Working with and helping animals has been my passion and dream since I was five years old, and I’m grateful to live that dream every day. I’m also a US Army Veteran.

Pictured are two of my four furbabies—I also have two cats at home. Not pictured are my amazing husband and three wonderful kids. When I’m not at the clinic, you’ll find me spending time with my family. My three kids and I also train in Taekwondo together, and we’re just a couple of belts away from earning our black belts! It’s an honor to care for your pets, and I’m grateful you trust me to be part of their health and happiness.

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Helena

Veterinary Assistant

Helena’s love for animals has taken her across the world, from wildlife rehabilitation in Virginia to veterinary clinics in Germany and South Korea.

Rick coufal

Helena, Veterinary Assistant

Helena’s love for animals has taken her across the world, from wildlife rehabilitation in Virginia to veterinary clinics in Germany and South Korea. Shaped in part by her years as an Air Force spouse that gave her a unique ability to connect with people, and thrive in new environments. She has a rich background in clinical animal care, emergency medicine, and surgery, and her previous career as a paramedic means she stays cool-headed and reliable when things get stressful. Fear Free Certified and fluent in English and German, Helena genuinely cares about every patient she sees and loves building real relationships with the people who bring them in.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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MEET OUR CLIENT SERVICES TEAM

Sarahlynn

Lead CSR

Sarah is a Colorado native who brings both heart and hands-on experience to her work. A mom of one and a passionate animal lover, she lives on a farm filled with animals!

Rick coufal

Sarahlynn, Lead CSR

Sarah is a Colorado native who brings both heart and hands-on experience to her work. A mom of one and a passionate animal lover, she lives on a farm filled with animals! With over five years of veterinary experience, Sarah combines professional knowledge with genuine compassion for animals and the people who care for them. As a strong animal advocate,  she is dedicated to supporting animal health and well-being.

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Crystal

CSR

Crystal enjoys spending time at home snuggling her goofy border collie Shep and her little tri-pod Luca. She has a passion for all things nerdy.

Rick coufal

Crystal, CSR

Crystal enjoys spending time at home snuggling her goofy border collie Shep and her little tri-pod Luca.  She has a passion for all things nerdy (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Video Games, and Dungeons and Dragons).  She also has a passion for Kpop and Kdramas and can usually be found studying Korean or jamming to BTS.  She loves to travel and experience new cultures.  She has loved animals all her life, having a degree in zoology and 17 years in animal medicine!

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BECOME A PART OF THE PONDEROSA VET CLINIC FAMILY

At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, our exceptional team has proven that they are truly the best. We encourage continuing education so that our staff stays up to date and always provides the best care available for your pet. Our entire team treats pet owners with respect and honesty, and provides the utmost care for everyone’s furry friends.

WANT TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
a picture of a vet clinic

WE ARE HIRING VET TECHS!

Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic is seeking an enthusiastic and caring veterinary technician to join our general practice team. PVC is a full-service, small-animal veterinary hospital with an excellent reputation for building lasting relationships with our clients and providing compassionate, high-quality care to our patients.

apply now