October 28, 2024

Member Spotlight: North Springs Veterinary Referral Center Provides Round-the-Clock Emergency Care for Pets with Complex Conditions

By Jayne Mhono Dickey

Driven by a passion for providing exceptional pet care, Dr. Lindsey Ganzer co-founded North Springs Veterinary Referral Center in Colorado Springs. This facility offers 24-hour walk-in emergency services and specializes in treating heart diseases and using advanced imaging for complex conditions. Beyond dogs and cats, they also care for reptiles, snakes, and parrots.

Under Dr. Ganzer’s leadership as CEO, the center has grown to a team of 15 dedicated employees serving the local community. Dr. Ganzer, who completed her undergraduate studies at Wofford College and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Georgia, discovered her love for pet surgeries and treating complex diseases during her time in Georgia.

Dr. Ganzer loves hiking and mountain climbing. Her decision to move to Colorado Springs was fueled by her passion for the outdoors and the city’s welcoming business climate.

Dissatisfied with the care standards at corporate-owned hospitals, Dr. Ganzer decided to establish her own clinic. “I was given a giant shove to start this facility when a corporation asked me to change my morals for a contract,” says Ganzer, who encourages other veterinarians to start private practices that prioritize the well-being of both staff and pets.

Community partners like the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, the City of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center have made it easy to establish a business, by providing resources like COS Open For Biz and SizeUp COS that help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Ganzer highlights that Chamber & EDC’s events provide excellent opportunities for learning and networking with potential clients. She urges new members to actively participate and leverage the non-profit’s resources to grow their businesses.

Colorado Springs is recognized as a pet-friendly city, according to a 2023 media report by KRCC, a public radio station covering a wide range of topics in Colorado Springs. The report shows that the city has a strong community of veterinary professionals, with one of the nation’s highest index scores at 6 3.83 out of 100 for the number of vet assistants and technicians per 1,000 jobs. The city also ranks highly for air quality and pet amenities and has many hotels that allow pets.

“As one of the nation’s most pet-friendly cities, Colorado Springs had a significant need for 24-hour walk-in emergency and specialty care to ensure pets receive the best possible treatment,” explains Ganzer, discussing her decision to establish the clinic in the city. North Springs Veterinary Referral Center also offers cardiology, surgery, radiology, and rehab services.

Learn more about North Springs Veterinary Referral Center