About Us

Dr. Emilea Burton

Owner/Lead Veterinarian

Dr. Emilea Burton spent her childhood in West Virginia and then spent about 14 years in North Carolina before moving to Colorado. She attended North Carolina State University for 8 years, earning a bachelor’s degree in zoology, and then her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 2015. She pursued a small animal internship at the VCA Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado and received additional training in neurology, surgery, internal medicine, emergency/critical care, and general practice.

After spending several years in general practice, Dr. Emilea learned about in-home end-of-life care and quickly realized what an invaluable resource this was for the community. She believes providing a peaceful end-of-life transition is perhaps the most meaningful gift we can give to our pets and has been serving families and their pets through veterinary hospice care since 2020. Dr. Emilea recently completed over 100 hours of end-of-life care continuing education and earned her certification in hospice and palliative care (CHPV). She is also an instructor for CAETA, the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy, and enjoys presenting at conferences and teaching best practices to students and colleagues.

Away from her work, Dr. Emilea loves going on adventures with her partner Taylore, spending time with family, partaking in outdoor activities, volunteering in the community, horseback riding, and checking out local music and events. She loves traveling and has previously traveled with World Vets, providing veterinary care to underserved areas of the world. Helping homeless animals is also a passion of hers, and she has opened her home to over 30 foster animals over the years. Emilea and Taylore share their home with a teacup Chihuahua (Nugget), two Chihuahua mixes (Speck and Dottie), a German Shepherd/Pyrenees mix (Juno), two miniature donkeys (Cocoa and Puff), and a horse (Beau). She recently had to say goodbye to her big fluffy dog of 14 years, Charlie, and her sweet old cat, Sydney, pictured here.

Dr. Kayla Schaefer

Veterinarian

Dr. Kayla Schaefer was born and raised in South Dakota, and knew from a young age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She obtained Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Chemistry at Morningside University in Sioux City, IA before moving to Ames, IA where she attended Iowa State University and obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Dr. Kayla started her career in Sioux Falls, SD in Emergency Medicine, where she was able to help a variety of animals (mostly dogs and cats) with various issues and conditions for nearly 3 years. Dr. Kayla then moved to Fort Collins and worked mostly in Urgent Care for 2.5 years. Recently, she has transitioned to relief work and still works part time in Urgent Care, Emergency, and General Practice medicine.

Throughout her time working in the clinical setting, Dr. Kayla has always cherished being a part of the euthanasia process and being trusted with helping animals and their owners through the process as peacefully as possible. Dr. Kayla is grateful to now be able to offer this service to owners and animals in their homes through Western Skies. Dr. Kayla aims to provide low stress end-of-life care as much as possible for her patients. She will be helping to cover days and times where Dr. Emilea is not available so that more families can get the help that they need. Dr. Kayla is Fear-Free certified and has completed advanced euthanasia training by obtaining her CAETA (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy) certification.

When not working, Dr. Kayla enjoys exploring the local cuisine, jigsaw puzzles, gardening, and spending time with her partner Thomas and their pet rabbit (Dilly) and dog (Riley).

Emily

Client Care Coordinator

Emily Veloz was born and raised in the heart of Sacramento Valley, then spent 2 fun years in Nashville before settling in colorful Northern Colorado. She worked the better part of a decade in upper management for chain spas before looking for something more fulfilling, and finding that with Western Skies.

An accomplished business manager and empathetic pet parent, Emily was very excited to join the Western Skies team in May 2023 as the Client Care Coordinator. She is the first person you will make contact with and wants to hear your favorite things about your best furry friend. She is here to help you feel confident in your decision to give your companion the gift of humane euthanasia, and hold your hand or cry with you when you need support.

Outside of Western Skies, Emily spends her free time exploring nature with her husband Isaac, solving escape rooms, baking bread, crocheting to her heart’s content, and cuddling with Sherman and Matilda, her very cute and very mischievous dachshunds.

Dr. Lisa Burnett

Founder and Previous Owner

Dr. Lisa Burnett was born and raised on the east coast in Virginia. She moved to Colorado in high school then obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University. She then moved back to the east coast landing in North Carolina this time. After working as a veterinary technician for over 10 years, Lisa went back to school and graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She spent her last year of veterinary school in Texas and loved it so much, she decided to move there for work.

Dr. Lisa worked as a private veterinarian on a large reined cow horse ranch in Weatherford, Texas for 2 years before moving back to Colorado where she met her husband (who happened to be from Texas). Dr. Lisa worked as a mixed animal veterinarian in Cheyenne, Wyoming for 4 ½ years before leaving to start Western Skies in 2019 when she realized there was a need in the community for additional in home euthanasia services. She built Western Skies from the ground up and has provided care and compassion to many pets and their families. She moved out of state in 2024 and entrusted Dr. Emilea with the business. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue Lisa’s important work in the community and maintain the level of excellence and compassion that Western Skies is known for.