Meet Our Veterinary Team
Meet the Veterinarians & Team of AspenTree Animal Care! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to know our veterinary team!
Dr. Becky James, DVM
Owner
Education/Training
University of California Davis
Dr. Becky graduated with honors from UC Davis Veterinary School in 1991. She practiced in Jackson, California, for 6 years before relocating and opening AspenTree in 1997.
Although Durango stole her heart back then, she currently loves living in Hesperus with her herd of rescue donkeys, her horse Amigo, and her 2 Irish Wolfhounds, MacKinnon Blake and BellaNina Star.
Her favorite part of the practice is nurturing the human-animal bond and being an integral part of her clients’ and patients’ lives from puppy and kittenhood through their geriatric years, providing individualized care for all ages.
When not practicing, Dr. Becky can always be found outdoors, enjoying all the beauty that Colorado has to offer.
Dr. Jennifer Deming, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Education/Training
Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Jennifer Deming has been a Durango since moving here from Oregon with her husband Bart and two children in 2012. She spends her free time trail running, Nordic skiing, backpacking, hiking, and cooking with her family.
A 2002 graduate of Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine, her professional interests include ophthalmology, endocrinology, and companion animal nutrition. She also works as a consulting veterinarian with a national pet food brand.
Her current furry family members include two mixed-breed dogs, Leia and Gauge, as well as kitties Toonces and Sheriff.
Dr. Emilie Mouton, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Education/Training
Louisiana State University
I have been practicing for 7 years. My joy in this career is being able to make connections with pets and owners to help keep the human-animal bond as strong as possible. My interest includes dental and preventative care.
I love to hang out with my husband and son, as well as our two dogs, Addie and Bridger, and cat, Lefty. We love to hike and take advantage of our beautiful home, and we also love to travel and experience new people and environments.
Taura Hatcher
Vet Tech / Assistant
Education/Training
Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology
I graduated from the Bel-Rea Insitute of Animal Technology in 1992. I have been with AspenTree Animal Caring Center since 2001. I have been doing this for quite a while, and most days, I still love what I do. Animals give us everything unconditionally. They deserve everything we can do to help them live their very best life.
When I am not working, I fill my time playing in the outdoors with my husband and our son, and all of our animals. We have three dogs, three cats, a bunny, and a large fish tank. We are all animal lovers and enjoy hiking and playing with dogs, and we have a cat that loves to hike with us as well. Life is always fun with our kids.
Coming home to purrs and wagging tails is the very best life for us.
Jenny Wickett
Education/Training
Texas A&M University
I grew up in Tomball, Texas, where I managed a veterinary clinic for eight years. My husband and I moved to Durango in 2011, and I have worked at AspenTree since then.
We have two senior kitties and recently adopted a dog. I graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Anthropology.
But my love of animals means my “temporary job” at a veterinary clinic became a career of almost 20 years.
Rowan Jamison
Hospital Manager, RVT
My name is Rowan. I have been working in veterinary medicine for 10 years.
I have a wonderful wife and three amazing dogs, and a passion for rescuing special needs animals. When I’m not at the clinic, I’m either working in human medicine, making coffee, hiking, snowboarding, or spending time with my family.
My dogs include Puck, an 8-year-old Aussie, Rori, a 4-year-old Pit Bull, and Suki, a 1-year-old blind and deaf Aussie.
Lauren Clingenpeel
Office Manager
Education/Training
University of Washington
I have been practicing for 8 years in animal welfare. I love being part of a team where each client and patient really matter. Their physical and emotional well-being are our top priority!
In my free time, I love hanging out with my dog Paul and listening to Lauper.
Erika Castillo
Customer Service Representative
Since she was a child growing up in California, Erika has always loved animals, both big and small. Her passion for them has only grown since she settled in Durango 6 years ago. She enjoys outdoor hobbies with her lovable dogs, Molli and Bentley.
Now her goal is to provide great care and give lots of love to the animals she serves inside and outside the clinic.
Cheyenne McMorris
I’m from New Mexico, enrolled in Penn Fosters Veterinary technology program with dreams of opening a large and small animal rehabilitation center for the Four Corners area.
I keep busy training horses and barrel racing unless my dogs decide a hike sounds more fun!