Dr. Sarah Christiansen

I did not change my major, I have always known I would be a veterinarian. The only “change” I made was the year I was not accepted into veterinary school and decided to complete my Food Science degree.

I read Bunnicula by James Howe as a little girl and after that, I always dreamed of being a veterinarian

• Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club
• Sunset Zoo Docents
• Housing and Dining Ambassador

I did a 14 month rotating internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado right after graduating from veterinary school. I rotated through emergency medicine, radiology, surgery, internal medicine and general practice. My days were long and my nights were short, but I learned invaluable lessons to set me off on the right foot in general practice.

I was nearing the end of my internship and planning to get married. My husband and I had hoped to stay in Colorado. A clinician I worked closely with knew a small animal practice that was needing an associate about the time I finished my internship. I sent my resume, interviewed over lunch, and was offered the job!

My days vary depending on my schedule. I do surgery one morning a week. Surgeries included routine dental prophylaxes, ovariohysterectomies, castrations, laparoscopic proceedures, mass removals, abdominal explorations, etc. Other days, I see appointments. I may have one day consisting of all routine physicals and vaccinations, while the next I will see all sick pets. I never quite know what my day will be like when I arrive in the morning.

My clients!

Trying to find a way to help a sick pet with a financially limited client. These cases are challenging and sometimes heart-breaking, but I have learned many valuable lessons!

Start early! Get active! Be involved! Veterinarians need great time management skills. We also need great interpersonal and communication skills. 100% of my job is to determine what is going on with a client’s pet based on the conversation I have with them.