Dr. Robbie Unsell BVetMed MRCVS Elite FFCP-V

Owner & Founder

He/Him

Dr. Robbie Unsell graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London, United Kingdom, in 2013 and has been a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for more than a decade. With a passion for low-stress veterinary care, he has particular interests in Internal Medicine, Dental Surgery, Allergic Skin Disease, and Urgent Care. Dr. Robbie's favorite aspect of veterinary medicine is engaging with his clients and being there for his patients in their times of need.

Following graduation, Dr. Unsell gained experience as a general practitioner and emergency veterinarian in Salem, OR, near St. Louis, and Chicago. He attributes his clinician style to thoughtful mentors who helped shape his veterinary career. A few veterinarians who have inspired him includes Dr. Mondrian Contreras, Dr. Elaine McCarthy, Dr. Patti Meldi, Dr. Megan Baebler, and Dr. Kris Hallden. Among his most cherished memories includes working alongside his wife in a small rural clinic in Illinois early on in his career.

During the pandemic, Dr. Unsell relocated with his family to Colorado Springs from Chicagoland, seeking proximity to extended family and the mountains. He joined Bear Creek Veterinary Care where two technicians, Lauren and Liz, helped inspire and refine his dedication to providing low-stress veterinary care. After four years at Bear Creek VC, where he dedicated his expertise and built lifelong relationships, the clinic sold out to the corporation CareVet. Dr. Unsell departed due to a difference of opinion in the direction of the clinic.

Undeterred, Dr. Unsell joined the historic Pikes Peak Veterinary Clinic, one of the largest and oldest non-corporate clinics in Colorado Springs. Hundreds of his former clients, spanning from Denver to Pueblo, sought out his veterinary care upon his arrival. Inspired by his client's enthusiasm and his experience at PPVC, he and his wife envisioned and founded what is now Red Rock Veterinary Health. This would not have been possible without the integral assistance of Dr. Melanie Marsden—owner of Pikes Peak Veterinary Clinic and former board member to the American Veterinary Medical Association—who is a pillar of veterinary experience and knowledge within Colorado and the veterinary profession.

Outside of work, Dr. Unsell and his wife are parents to two young, wild sons and two rescue dogs who keep them both busy and entertained. Their family lives 5 minutes from Red Rock Vet and within the community that the hospital serves. Beyond his veterinary endeavors, Dr. Robbie manages and plays for a local baseball team, the Yard Goats, in the Southern Colorado MABL. He also enjoys catching St. Louis Cardinals games, traveling, gardening, hiking, attempting DIY projects, and indulging in a good read.

Dr. Unsell is also a member of the Colorado and American Veterinary Medical Associations in addition to the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Moreover, he provides mentorship for aspiring veterinarians, veterinary students, and new graduate veterinarians.

Lauren’s journey with animals began in her childhood, where she was known for bringing home every stray and nursing every sick or injured creature she encountered. Although she aspired to become a zookeeper or veterinarian, her career initially took a different path. However, her enduring passion for animals eventually guided her back to working with them.

Lauren’s educational background and professional training reflect her deep commitment to animal care and welfare. She holds a Masters Level Diploma in Animal Behavior Science and Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute, specializing in reactivity and aggression for canines, equines, and parrots. Additionally, she is an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional. Her love for animal behavior and training was ignited by her experience with her own behaviorally challenging dogs and horse. Helping these animals navigate the human world sparked her dedication to assisting others in their challenges with their pets. Lauren’s favorite cases involve reactivity, cooperative care, and devising creative training plans that are "outside the box" to achieve desired outcomes. 

Lauren’s upbringing—split between city life in Denver and summers on her grandparents' farm in Ohio—fostered her deep connection with animals. Her formative experiences included rehabilitating barn kittens and a piglet, and a memorable incident where she helped rescue an escaped Greenwing Macaw, which solidified her interest in exotics.

Lauren studied Business Management at Metropolitan State University in Denver before finding her way back to her true passion. She continued to engage with animals through volunteer work and personal pet care, eventually transitioning to a full-time career with animals first as a wrangler on a large horse ranch and then as an equine bodyworker, and as a veterinary assistant. In 2015, Lauren moved to the countryside to fulfill her dream of owning horses, raising dairy goats and a mixed flock of birds. In 2021, she relocated to Colorado Springs, where she quickly identified a need for advocating for stressed and fearful veterinary patients. Inspired by her own experiences and extensive research, she pursued advanced certifications in animal behavior and Fear Free practices.

Lauren is driven by a desire to help animals express their needs and to educate their caregivers on better communication and skill-building. Her professional journey was significantly influenced by Dr. Robbie Unsell, whom she met as his client. His willingness to accommodate her pets’ unique needs earned her trust, leading to their collaboration at Bear Creek Veterinary Care for 4 years where they worked tirelessly to streamline Fear Free veterinary care at the clinic. Lauren departed Bear Creek as well following the sale of the practice. She then played a crucial role in inspiring, developing, and consulting on the design of Red Rock Veterinary Health.

Lauren shares her home with her dogs Bartok and Bella; horses Ziya, Nimbus, Korra, and Zula; and macaws Philomena and Valencia. She is driven by helping clients and their pets achieve harmony and understanding through compassionate and effective care.

Lauren’s role at the hospital is multifaceted and integral to the daily operations and future direction of the hospital.

Angela has always felt a strong connection to animals, one her parents nurtured by allowing her to bring home not only cats and dogs but even a rat and a pigeon. Like many children, she briefly dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, though her aspirations shifted often at a young age.

Although Angela had a lifelong love for animals, her journey into veterinary medicine didn’t begin until she joined Bear Creek Veterinary Care. Starting as a receptionist with minimal knowledge of the field, she quickly grew passionate about client care. While she had cared about customer satisfaction in previous roles, client care in veterinary medicine held a deeper, more meaningful impact. Angela committed herself to building connections with pets and their owners, ensuring they felt seen and valued beyond just being "the next appointment." Bear Creek allowed her to learn and explore the technician side of veterinary medicine, all while serving as Customer Service Representative Lead. Throughout this time, Dr. Unsell, a dedicated mentor, encouraged her growth, providing her with new opportunities that gave her the confidence to pursue her veterinary interests.

Ultimately, Angela decided to leave Bear Creek amid a corporate transition, finding it difficult to reconcile with some of the changes. After a brief time outside the veterinary field, she missed it deeply and joined Pikes Peak Veterinary Clinic as a Client Care Specialist, where she reunited with Dr. Unsell and Lauren. To her delight, she also reconnected with several former clients, reigniting relationships that had meant so much to her.

Angela’s academic background, while not directly in veterinary care, has equipped her with valuable client care skills. She initially pursued an Associate of Arts with a Business Designation, completing courses in micro and macroeconomics, accounting, business statistics, and business law. This foundation helped her understand the balance of delivering high-quality service while maintaining financial sustainability. Eventually, Angela shifted her focus to an Associate of Arts in English, where she rediscovered her passion for literature and writing. She hopes one day to write a novel—or perhaps even several. Her English studies strengthened her communication skills, which have been invaluable in client interactions. Angela has also completed her Fear Free Professional certification, significantly expanding her knowledge of canine and feline body language and fear and stress management techniques, allowing her to make every pet’s visit as positive as possible.

While Angela is passionate about her career, she equally cherishes her life outside of work. She and her husband share their home with a "ridiculous" number of pets, as their families lovingly call it—a mix of cherished cats and dogs around whom their lives revolve. Outside of her dedication to her furry family, Angela enjoys writing, gaming, arts and crafts, and spending quality time with her husband.

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