About Our Team

Veterinarian / Co-Owner

Dr. Sam Lane

I vividly remember Dr. Marcus’ brown, wood-paneled station wagon pulling up into our driveway to pay our Labrador retriever, Stormy, a visit. He looked like the classic old school veterinarian making house calls to examine and treat his patients. He had thick gray hair and wore a traditional white lab coat that cut off just beyond his beltline. After exchanging pleasantries with my mom, he examined Stormy, administered her vaccines and retrieved a sample of blood.

Years later, I graduated from veterinary school at the University of Missouri in 2002 and traveled to Wheat Ridge to complete their coveted internship. For several years, I worked with some of the best doctors at the best hospitals in the Denver area. I honed my skills in surgery and medicine and learned how to use the many tools in our profession including ultrasound, laparoscopy, and digital radiography.

Then, I was recruited by Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis), the largest Animal Health company in the world. I served as a technical advisor and educator on their many innovative treatments for dogs and cats. We introduced new cutting edge treatments for pet allergies. We created the best medicines to stop vomiting, itching and even anxieties due to fireworks.

Now at Golden Paws, I want to bring all of these experiences together.

I want to be your neighborhood veterinarian, like Dr. Marcus was for my family. In addition, I want to deliver the highest quality medicine for which my experience and training has prepared me. My wife, Amber, and I along with my daughters Hannah and Maggie thank you for allowing us to treat your furry family members. Tater Tot, our Golden Retriever, is also grateful as far as we can tell!

Registered Veterinary Technician / Co-Owner

Maggie Nelson

I’m a Native of Colorado, and have been in the veterinary field since 1997. I graduated from Bel Rea in 2000 after attending CSU for 2 years to work with Autistic and Down Syndrome children and found my life long dream in Veterinary Medicine. I have been a technician and practice manager at several hospitals in my career and worked at some specialty hospitals such as Exotics, Emergency and Ophthalmology. My passion has always been to run a mobile clinic to be able to help families and their animals close to home. I hope to bring joy and care to each and every animal and their families in a more personal setting.

I have four dogs, a cat, a Bearded Dragon, a Ball Python, a chinchilla, rats, a guinea pig, fish and frogs. A complete zoo! I have two amazing children, my oldest Jada and youngest Brody who are my world. My wife Nichol and I were recently married (July 2020). We love to be outside and in the Mountains, which brought us to live up in Coal Creek Canyon. We love to play games, fish, camp and hike.

I look forward to using my knowledge and experience in veterinary medicine to help you and your animal family.

Veterinarian

Dr. Alison Bokas

I attended Michigan State University for undergraduate studies and then graduated in 2008 with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. I grew up in veterinary medicine, spending a lot of time at my father’s veterinary hospital in Michigan. After graduation, my husband and I moved to Colorado to enjoy all the outdoor activities that this amazing state has to offer. My goal is to provide client education, so that we can make decisions about your loved pet companion together as a team. I look forward to meeting and building a relationship with you and your furry family members.

Veterinarian

Dr. Ben Read

I grew up in the suburbs of Boston where I began working with animals at my father’s veterinary hospital. I graduated from veterinary school in 2016 from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. Following vet school, I worked as a small animal veterinarian for a year in Connecticut before moving to Colorado in 2017. I love spending time with my wife Jen, our son Kieran, our two dogs Bowen and Sorrel (Caribbean island dogs), and our turtle Sam. In my free time, I enjoy skiing, hiking, and playing guitar. I take a keen interest in surgery and providing the best care possible to both my patients and clients.

Registered Veterinary Technician

Roxanne O’Connell

I graduated in 2011 with my vet tech degree. I live with my husband in Black Hawk with our three senior dogs Rocko, Paul and Ted.

Registered Veterinary Technician

Sarah Collison

I have been involved in veterinary medicine since I was 14 years old when I started working for a local veterinary clinic in Neenah, WI in their boarding facility. To me, there is nothing better than watching a formerly sick patient trot out the door healthier and tail wagging!