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 also enjoys teaching best practices for euthanasia and has presented at conferences and provided instruction to vet techs, veterinary students, and veterinarians. Away from her work, Dr. Emilea loves going on adventures with her wife, spending time with family, partaking in outdoor activities, volunteering in the community, learning Spanish, 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 animals in need 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), a German Shepherd/Pyrenees mix (Juno), a big fluffy orange cat (Theo), two miniature donkeys (Cocoa and Puff), and a horse (Beau).Dr. Kayla Schaefer
VeterinarianDr. 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. 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).
Dr. Sam Keum
Veterinarian
While growing up in Ohio, Dr. Sam Keum always felt a unique connection not only with animals but also with the people who care for them. She completed her undergraduate degree in Animal & Veterinary Sciences with a minor in Zoology at the University of Vermont. Despite facing a global pandemic, a swift kick from a red mare, and a cryptosporidium infection, she managed to graduate from Colorado State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and remained in the state ever since.
While in practice, Dr. Sam was able to work in General Practice, Urgent Care, and with some hobby farms across Colorado. Outside of Western Skies, she works part-time in a General Practice setting and as a relief veterinarian.
Protecting the human-animal bond has been one of the most important goals that has shaped Dr. Sam’s career. Because of this, guiding owners and their beloved companions through the euthanasia process has been one of Dr. Sam’s greatest privileges as a veterinarian. Getting to provide families with the time, attention to detail, and compassion in the comfort of their own home has been incredibly fulfilling and meaningful. Dr. Sam is also Fear-Free certified, and she makes it a priority to create stress-free environments for her patients.
Outside of the veterinary world, Dr. Sam enjoys typical Colorado activities such as hiking, visiting breweries, attending farmer’s markets, and gardening. She also enjoys tending to her overpopulation of houseplants and needle felting. The four creatures she shares her life with include two demanding cats (Louise and Dory), a very shy dog (Penny), and her partner (Mitch).
Emily
Client Care CoordinatorEmily 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.