Our Veterinary Team

Nellie Damrauer, DVM, CVA
University of California, Davis, 2003
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Nellie Damrauer is originally from Baltimore, MD.  She received her bachelor's from University of Colorado and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of California at Davis in 2003.  She joined the Humane Society of Boulder Valley at completion of her degree.  

Dr. Damrauer  loves working at HSBV because of it's commitment to animal welfare and to promoting healthy relationships between pets and people.  She also appreciates the many teaching and learning opportunities afforded to her here.  Dr. Damrauer is committed to enhancing the quality of life of the animals  she treats.  She is a Fear Free Certified Professional, and is certified in veterinary acupuncture.

Outside of work, Nellie can be found hiking with her rambunctious dogs or relazing with her lazy cats.  She also spends countless hours at various sporting events with her husband cheering for her boys, Leo and Bruno.

Becky Flemer, DVM
Colorado State University, 2008
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Becky Flemer originally hails from New Hampshire. She received a BA in chemistry from Amherst College, and her DVM at Colorado State University, after which she completed a one-year internship in California. She joined the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in 2014.

Dr. Flemer believes one of the most rewarding aspects of veterinary medicine is enabling her clients to make truly informed decisions regarding their pets' health care through education. Her professional interests include dentistry, soft tissue surgery, endocrinology, and preventive care.    She is a Fear Free Certified Professional.

Becky enjoys the amazing outdoor opportunities Colorado has to offer, as well as traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family (her husband, two daughters, two dogs, two cats, and many chickens). 

Lesli Groshong, DVM, DAVBP (Shelter Medicine)
Chief Shelter Veterinarian
Colorado State University, 1992
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Lesli Groshong is a native Coloradoan who joined the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in 1994 and now manages the health of the animals in the shelter.

To share the successes of HSBV and to nurture the skills of new colleagues, she has mentored hundreds of veterinary students in spay/neuter techniques and shelter medicine. In 2015, Dr. Groshong was honored as  Veterinarian of the Year by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. 

She is board certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of  Veterinary Practitioners in shelter medicine.    Dr. Groshong is a Fear Free Certified Professional, and her practice is limited to Shelter Medicine and Surgery.

When not keeping up with her husband and teenagers in horse activities, Lesli does spay/neuter in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and even a 14,000' Buddhist nunnery in China!  Her animal family includes Morgan horses, peacocks and shelter adoptees.

Cristina Gutierrez, DVM, CVA
Colorado State University, 2005
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Cristina Gutierrez joined the Humane Society of Boulder Valley as a veterinary technician in 1998, before attending veterinary school.

Dr. Gutierrez is a co-founder of VIDAS (International Veterinarians Dedicated to Animal Health), an organization that provides free veterinary care in Mexico.  Her areas of interest include internal medicine, pain management and she is certified in veterinary acupuncture.  She is a Fear Free Certified Professional.

Cristina is married with two daughters, enjoys running, and has two dogs and cats adopted from HSBV.

Allison Kean, DVM, CVA
Chief Clinic Veterinarian
Colorado State University, 2008
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Allison Kean earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University and received a BA from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY where she majored in psychology with a concentration in animal behavior. 

After veterinary school, Dr. Kean practiced small animal medicine in Denver, and joined the HSBV in 2012. Her areas of interest include internal and emergency medicine, soft tissue surgery, cardiology, oncology, and she is certified in veterinary acupuncture.   Dr. Kean is a 2014 graduate of the Power of Ten Leadership Academy through the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.

Allison spends her free time hiking 14ers and the foothills and volunteering in Central America. She shares her home with three shelter dogs: Mattie, Nilla and Tilly.

Amanda Levesque, DVM
Tufts  University, 2014
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine

Dr.  Amanda Levesque is originally from Rhode Island, and joined HSBV in 2015 after visiting as a veterinary student.  She graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2014, and completed an emergency and specialty internship at WestVet in Boise, Idaho in 2015.

Dr. Levesque finds it most rewarding to help clients make educated, individualized treatment decisions.  Her professional interests include surgery, dentistry, neurology, and pain management.  She is a Fear Free Certified Professional.  She enjoys connecting with and educating the many veterinary student externs who come to HSBV.   Dr. Levesque 2018 graduate of the Power of Ten Leadership Academy through the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.

When not working, Amanda can be found hiking in high altitudes, mountain biking, engaging in beekeeping activities, or exploring Colorado's front range with her shelter dog, Dante.

Dr. Noelle Schariest, BVSM
University of Glasgow, 2018
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
Shelter Medicine Intern 2018/19

Dr. Noelle Schariest received her BS in Animal Science from the University of Vermont before attending veterinary school at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.  

Dr. Schariest’s veterinary interests include shelter medicine, surgery, dermatology, and oncology.    While in school, she traveled and experienced veterinary practice across the globe, including India and New Zealand, and loved embracing new cultures.  She is completing a one-year shelter medicine internship with the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.  

Noelle is new to Colorado and is excited to explore the outdoors, especially through hiking and skiing.  While she didn't bring any pets back across the pond, she's looking forward to devoting her time to the animals at HSBV.  

Amanda Griffin, MA, CVT, CMT
Veterinary Technician, Patient Services Manager

Amanda has  her BS from Virginia Tech, and her Masters in Nonprofit Management from Regis University.  Amanda  graduated from Bel-Rea Institute in 2005 with an AAS degree in Animal Technology. Because of her passion for animal welfare she joined  the team at HSBV immediately after graduation.   Amanda is a Fear Free Certified Professional.

She enjoys high volume-high quality spay/neuter and  working with the shelter animals.  She is certified in canine massage therapy.  In her spare time she enjoys all the great outdoor activities Colorado has to offer.

Becky Neumann
Veterinary Client Service Manager

Becky joined the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in 1993 after a career in banking. She worked with our volunteer department,  did humane education, and managed our original mobile Pet Adoption Unit. She transitioned to the Veterinary Clinic in 1997 and loves getting to know the clients and their pets.  Becky is a Fear Free Certified Professional. 

She shares her life with a variety of pets at home and enjoys traveling and birdwatching both locally and internationally.

Kat Burns, CVPM, CAWA
Director of Operations & Veterinary Services 

Kat joined HSBV in 2005 as Shelter Supervisor, became Director of Veterinary Services in 2006, and now oversees HSBV facility operations in addition to the veterinary practice and busy full-service public clinic.  She is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator,  a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, and a Fear Free Certified Professional. 

Kat was a faclitator, coach, and instructor for the first ever Power of Ten Leadership Academy for Practice Managers offered through the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association in 2018.   Kat served four years on  the Board of Directors for the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association.  She enjoys live music, creating mixed-media art, and spending time with her spoiled pug and persian.