Our Veterinary Team
Meet Wellshire Animal Hospital Team
Get to know our veterinary team!
It is our mission to partner with our clients to nurture and preserve the human-animal bond by providing compassionate, expert, and affordable veterinary care.
Dr. Melissa Etheridge
DVM
Dr. Melissa Etheridge received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1999. She previously received her MA in International Environmental Law from Tufts University and BA from Colorado College. After graduation, she completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego, California.
Prior to entering small animal practice, she worked with the Jane Goodall Institute in Uganda and as a legislative aid for the US Senate. Her interests include minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopy and endoscopy, dentistry, and internal medicine.
She is a proud mom to daughters, Mara and Ella, and cats Libby and Princess. When she is not in the clinic, she enjoys skiing, swimming, hiking, and surfing with her kids.
Dr. Monica Watterud
DVM
Dr. Watterud grew up knowing she wanted to be a veterinarian. She attended Montana State University for her undergraduate degree. She was fortunate to realize her goal in 1989 when she graduated with a DVM from Colorado State University.
After graduation, she practiced in Southern California for 3 years. She returned to the Denver area in 1992 and has been practicing here ever since.
Her current family includes litter mates “Bob” Seger & Zevon. Although she does not currently have a canine of her own, she has many friends with dogs, who allow her to live vicariously through them.
Her veterinary expertise includes internal medicine, preventative care, and establishing long-term relationships with her clients and patients.
Dr. Holly Cogswell
DVM
Dr. Holly Cogswell is a proud Colorado native! She grew up in Colorado Springs and earned her B.S. in Film from Boston University. After working in film in California, she returned to Colorado to earn her DVM from Colorado State University in 2001.
In 2003 Dr. Cogswell started her own animal hospital and built it into a large and thriving practice for 15 years. After taking three years off to spend with her family, she was lured back into veterinary practice for the opportunity to practice with the team at Wellshire Animal Hospital. Dr. Cogswell is also certified in Veterinary Acupuncture.
When not working, Dr. Cogswell spends time with her husband and son traveling, skiing, and snorkeling. She shares her home with a Crested Gecko, Cosmo, French Bulldogs Bam Bam and Hopper, three cats named Poppy, Ahsoka and Bhodi, along with Koi and several tropical fish tanks.
Dr. Laura Hedlin
DVM
Dr. Laura Hedlin grew up in Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine after spending her high school and college years as a kennel attendant, receptionist, and then technician at a local veterinary clinic. She has lived in Colorado for over 20 years now and splits her time between Denver and Summit County doing relief veterinary work and shelter work. Her special interests lie in caring for felines, Greyhounds, and senior patients, and veterinary dentistry.
Outside of her career, she enjoys cycling, hiking, reading, and swinging kettle bells. She fosters for some of the local rescue groups when the house is not too full of her own pets. Currently she lives with her two cats – Purrl and Lil’ Moonchie, and her two dogs – Greyhound, Bonnie, and Cocker Spaniel, Daisy.
Dr. Andrea Carey
DVM
Dr. Andrea Carey is a Denver native who grew up in the Observatory Park neighborhood. She has practiced veterinary medicine in Colorado since 2008. Dr. Carey earned her BA from Colorado College, a MA in Education from the University of Denver and her DVM degree from Colorado State University.
Wellness/preventative care, cardiology, pain management and animal welfare are a few of her many professional interests. She enjoys serving on the University of Denver’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee as well as volunteering for the Colorado Children’s Hospital Prescription Pet Program.
Dr. Carey is an avid tennis and platform tennis player, likes to golf, bike and read. She also loves spending time with family, including Wilbur, her geriatric Border Terrier, and friends.
Brittany Cordova
Certified Veterinary Technician
How long have you been practicing? 17years
Where did you go to school? Bel Rea Institute of Animal Technology
What do you pride yourself in when it comes to veterinary medicine and/or taking care of your patients? I have wanted to work in veterinary medicine since I was a little girl. I pride myself on continuing to further my knowledge to stay in the field and provide the best care that I can. My passion in vet medicine has always been anesthesia and surgical procedures. I have always just wanted to help our furry friends and to be their voice when they need care.
What do you like to do in your free time? During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and my little chihuahua Chiquita. Being a Colorado native, I enjoy all outdoor things: hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing. I’m a loyal fan of all Colorado sports teams. No matter how bad they are. Go Broncos!
Maddi Hyde
Veterinary Assistant
Maddi has been practicing for 2 years and attended Northeast College for Veterinary Technology. She prides herself in proper surgical/treatment patient care and creating a fear-free environment for animals. In her free time, Maddi likes to paint, make jewelry, be outdoors, and hang out with her Shiba, Keiko.
