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Dr. Andee Youngblood, DVM
Why did you become a vet?
Veterinary medicine is the perfect blend of physical, emotional, and mental challenge. I enjoy problem-solving, staying active, and building meaningful connections—with both animals and people. It’s a profession that keeps me growing every day.
What’s your top advice for keeping your pet healthy during the summer and winter in Colorado?
In the summer: never leave pets in the car—not even for a minute. Always have plenty of water, protect their paws from hot surfaces, hike only in the cooler early mornings, and avoid pushing them beyond their fitness level.
In the winter: limit outdoor time during freezing temps and be mindful of ice melt chemicals that can irritate or harm paws.
What else do you want our readers to know?
We treat every pet like they’re part of our family. Our goal is not just to provide care—but to build trust and long-term relationships with the families we serve.
What’s your favorite part of working at Brekke Vet?
I’m proud to work at a privately owned practice where we’re able to focus on personalized care without corporate pressure. We have a dedicated, compassionate team that truly puts pets first.
What are your hobbies or how do you spend your free time?
Outside of work, I love being with family, learning tennis, tackling woodworking and home improvement projects, and enjoying the Colorado outdoors.
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Dr. Emily Sponseller, DVM
Tell us about yourself.
I grew up on the East Coast and always had a strong interest in science and animals. After undergrad, I moved to Arizona to earn my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Midwestern University,.
After graduation, I moved to Colorado, with my 13-year-old miniature dachshund Lillian, to begin this next chapter of my life. This move has given me a renewed sense of balance and motivation, I’m excited to continue to bring that energy into my professional journey.
Why did you become a Vet?
Becoming a veterinarian combined my lifelong love for animals with my interest in science and medicine. I was always caring for pets, fostering animals, or asking questions at the vet clinic. My family includes four veterinarians so this has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. As I got older and studied animal biosciences, I realized how much I was drawn to the complexity of animal health and the impact veterinarians can have - on both animals and the people who love them.
What’s your favorite part of practicing veterinary medicine?
My favorite part of practicing veterinary medicine is the opportunity to build meaningful connections—both with my patients and with their people. There’s something incredibly rewarding about earning an animal’s trust, and being a source of comfort and guidance for their owners during stressful or emotional moments.
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Dr. Jacqueline Rudzinski, DVM
I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. I attended Syracuse University where I obtained an undergraduate degree, and Colorado State University where I obtained my veterinary degree. I lived in Las Vegas immediately after graduating where I met my husband and started our family. Currently, in my free time I enjoy watching my children grow up in this beautiful community.
I had always loved animals, as I feel most kids at some point think they want to be a veterinarian at some point in their life. It just always stuck for me. Living in rural Hawaii, there was always a stray cat, goat, chicken, bird or dog in need of a home or care. My parents, thankfully, always let me provide what care I could. From nursing injured birds back to health, all the way to working at the one local vet clinic at 15, I continued to move forward in my path towards becoming a veterinarian.
Please make sure during these warm summer months that you always have lots of water available and be mindful of how hot the ground gets. I saw many paw pad injuries from the hot pavement in Las Vegas, and although it’s only sometimes 85 degrees here, it often feels like I am back in Las Vegas’ desert heat. Limit midday walks and try to get your walks in in the early morning or evening.