About Us
Redefining Veterinary Excellence
North Springs Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center is a veterinarian-owned and operated emergency and specialty pet hospital in Colorado Springs, open 24/7. With a spacious facility and fully staffed care team at all times, we’re equipped to handle animal emergencies without long delays. Our in-house diagnostic tools allow for quick evaluations that support comfort and care. We’re committed to delivering timely, compassionate veterinary care with transparency, empathy, and a focus on exceptional patient outcomes.
Meet Dr. Lindsey Ganzer
DVM, CEO, Founder and Owner
Dr. Ganzer grew up in Lawrenceville, GA. She completed her undergraduate degree at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, double majoring in Biology and Religion while playing soccer and running track. She went on to the University of Georgia for her DVM, where she fell in love with emergency medicine and surgery. After graduation in 2012, she began working at a 24-hour emergency hospital outside of Atlanta. After just 3 years, she was promoted to the Emergency Director of the hospital. Her love of outdoors, hiking, trail running, and climbing prompted a cross country move to Colorado Springs, where she continued her emergency work as the Chief Emergency Veterinarian of the hospital. Her love of leadership, mentorship, teaching and drive to improve the veterinary world as a whole, prompted her to open North Springs VRC in 2023 with a clear vision: to build a practice rooted in empathy, collaboration, and clinical excellence. Her goals was to create a space that supports not only pets and their families, but also the veterinary professionals who care for them. In her free time, Lindsey takes advantage of everything Colorado has to offer. She is an avid rock climber, trail runner, and hiker/backpacker, but she is always up to try nearly any adventure. Most often, she can be found adventuring and traveling with her husband, Kyle, her pitty Captain Kirk, and orange kitty Mr. Spock.
Our Mission
At North Springs Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center, our mission is to provide exceptional veterinary care through compassion, integrity, and transparency. Guided by our core values, we strive to create a positive, collaborative environment where patients receive advanced emergency and specialty services, while also ensuring that clients feel supported and our team is empowered to make a difference, every day.
Our Core Values
These seven core values shape our company goals and the way we connect with our clients, patients, partners, and employees.
Transparency
We will have an open door policy for our employees, an open book policy for our business, and an open clinic policy for our clients.
Integrity
We will stand for what is right, even when it is hard, authentically care about people, and will acknowledge when we make mistakes.
Empathy
We will be the voice that our patients do not have, translating their needs as well as the needs of our clients into the best care and medical recommendations.
Innovation
We will research the most recent medical protocols, equipment, and practices to remain on the cutting edge.
Unity
Each and every team member’s contribution is part of the whole. Every idea, suggestion, and how they are treated is equal, creating unity throughout the hospital.
Community
We believe in giving back to our community through local missions & non-profit initiatives.
Positivity
We will nurture a positive company culture where employees want to stay. This will create continuity in our hospital passing positivity to our clients and patients.
Meet our doctors
Dr. Salmon achieved her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 2016, completed a 1-year medicine and surgery rotating internship at the University of Minnesota, and then became residency trained in Veterinary Cardiology at the University of Georgia in 2020. She has practiced in Colorado Springs since completing her residency and became board-certified in 2021. Dr. Salmon’s professional interests include arrhythmia management, medical management of congestive heart failure, and catheter-based interventional procedures. Dr. Salmon also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science & a Master’s degree in Environmental Health & Toxicology. In her free time, she enjoys time outside with her dogs, Bee & Ladybug & time with her family in Denver.
Dr. Cokeley acquired her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University in 2019. Originally from West Virginia, she returned to her home state as a small animal generalist and emergency practitioner after graduation. In 2021, she and her husband moved to Colorado Springs where she has since been practicing. Dr. Cokeley’s clinical interests include soft tissue emergency surgery, anesthesia, critical care, and ultrasound/diagnostic imaging with a strong emphasis on maintaining the most up to date, evidence-based care. Outside of her professional interests, Dr. Cokeley enjoys mountain biking, skiing and backcountry ski touring, as well as backpacking with her husband Jacob and their four dogs Cooper, Blanche (who also loves skiing and mountain biking!), Peanut, and Tuli.
Dr. Emily Purswell received her undergraduate degree from the University of Denver in 2004 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University in Ames, IA, in 2010. After completing a small animal rotating internship, she was commissioned into the U.S. Army, serving 14 years as an Active Duty veterinarian. During her military service, Dr. Purswell completed her clinical residency in internal medicine at North Carolina State University in 2018, subsequently becoming board-certified in small animal internal medicine. Dr. Purswell’s clinical interests include renal & gastrointestinal diseases. She lives in Colorado Springs with her partner, Scott, & they enjoy spending time together in the mountains, taking advantage of all that Colorado has to offer.
Dr. Leigh earned his DVM with honors from Colorado State University in 2001. After graduation, he completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Leigh then practiced emergency and general small animal medicine in the Denver area before being accepted into the radiology residency program at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing his residency training, he became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Radiology in 2007. Dr. Leigh returned to Colorado and founded Rocky Mountain Veterinary Imaging in 2007 working as a veterinary radiologist at several front range referral hospitals and as a mobile radiologist. His professional interests include abdominal, musculoskeletal and vascular ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine. When not working, Dr. Leigh enjoys time with his family (including two mixed breed dogs), photography, mountain biking, skiing, hiking, and backpacking.
Dr. Sutton grew up in Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona for his undergraduate degree where he received a bachelor’s in veterinary science. He then went on to gain work experience in Florida within the veterinary field before attending Washington State University for veterinary school. He graduated in 2020 and has worked in emergency on the front range ever since. He loves all things emergency medicine, especially interventional procedures and surgery. In his free time, you will often find him off in the mountains with his wife, Lexi, and two dogs, Arlo and Addie.
Dr. Summers joined NSVRC after graduating from Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada in 2023. Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Summers accumulated over ten years of experience working at general practice veterinary clinics. While pursuing her doctorate degree, she discovered that emergency medicine is where she thrives as a veterinarian. Dr. Summers prioritizes clear and compassionate communication during ER visits to help owners make informed decisions for their pets during their most stressful times. She has empathy for anxious, fearful, and aggressive pets and practices within their comfort level to support a positive experience for pets while still providing the care they need. Dr. Summers grew up in Anchorage, Alaska where she spent most of her free time training and racing sled dogs. She now resides in Colorado Springs with her husband, their dogs Vino and Theo, and their cat, Yuki.
Dr. Butler grew up in Washington State but earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!). Dr. Butler then graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University. After graduation, she moved to Colorado for a small animal rotating internship in the Denver area. After a few years working as an ER veterinarian in the Denver area, Dr. Butler, her fiancé, and her three-legged dog, Tater Tot, moved to Colorado Springs. Dr. Butler has a special interest in emergency and critical care and surgery. In her free time, she enjoys taking Tater to the dog park, exploring breweries, and reading.
Dr. Hardcastle grew up in Knoxville, TN attending the University of Tennessee for both undergraduate and veterinary school. Upon graduation, she commissioned into the Army Veterinary Corps, serving in Tacoma, WA, and Junction City, KS. After completing her time in service, she moved to Colorado Springs, where she joined the North Springs VRC team. Her clinical interests include surgery and anesthesia. Outside of work, she enjoys trail running, mountain biking, and spending time with her dogs.
Dr. Liz Braasch grew up in sunny San Diego, California, where her proximity to the San Diego Zoo sparked a lifelong dream of working with animals. She pursued this passion at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with a degree in Molecular Environmental Biology while also playing on the field hockey team (Go Bears!). After gaining practical experience as a veterinary technician, Dr. Braasch earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Drawn to the critical nature of emergency medicine, she completed a specialized small animal rotating internship with an emphasis in emergency care. After her internship, she and her husband moved to Colorado, where she thoroughly enjoys the change in seasons, especially the snow. Now with over a decade of experience, Dr. Braasch excels in client communication, taking the time to discuss the details of a pet’s ailments to ensure owners feel informed and supported. She is also passionate about effective pain management, striving to provide the highest level of comfort to her patients. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Braasch loves spending time with her husband, two children, three cats, and their Great Pyrenees, Fleury. Her hobbies include hiking, skiing, baking, and playing video games.
Dr. Plant grew up near Dallas, Texas. She went to LeTourneau University in east Texas to complete her degree in Biology. She received her veterinary degree from Kansas State University in 2016. During her internship, she found her passion for emergency medicine and critical care. Since then, she has practiced emergency medicine in Colorado Springs and Castle Rock, Colorado. Her specific interests are in managing critical and complicated cases such as sepsis, diabetic ketoacidosis, and immune mediated hemolytic anemia; but she also enjoys emergency surgeries. Outside of work, her hobbies include reading, fiber arts (crocheting and knitting), and camping. She lives with her husband and son, dog (Hazel), and 3 cats (Ferne, Fletcher, and Douglas Fir).
Meet Our Management Team
After growing up in Brandon, South Dakota, Matt Hubbell graduated from Creighton University in 2010 with a degree in accounting. He began his career in public accounting, where he earned his CPA certification and discovered a passion for understanding what makes small businesses succeed. Following his time in public accounting, Matt built a successful career in the manufacturing and construction industries. As the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for North Springs Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center, Matt provides strategic leadership for the center’s business and finance functions. He is dedicated to creating efficiencies by leveraging technology and fostering a healthy, inclusive work climate. Matt is a personable, reliable, and accomplished professional who demonstrates integrity in all he does. He believes that business success and employee well-being are intrinsically linked. In his free time, Matt enjoys golfing, camping, and skiing.
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