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Our Veterinarians

Meet the folks who make it all happen. We see big potential in every moment, & care deeply about what we do every day.

Dr. Maura Backstrom
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Dr. Maura Backstrom

Lead DVM

Dr. Maura planted her veterinary career seeds during her dog-filled childhood. Maura’s mother regularly bred and showed dogs; and seven-year-old Maura took an active role in feeding, grooming, and training these high-value canines. She also actively participated in classes and practice shows. Maura soon discovered that dogs were masters at showing unconditional love and acceptance. By the time Maura turned nine, the dogs’ love and affection had made a profound impact on her. She developed a burning desire to embark on a veterinary career, as she wanted to give back to the wonderful animals who had enriched her young life!

Born in Missouri, Maura and her family soon moved to southern California; she then lived in Missouri and Virginia before moving back to California. While Maura married and was raising her children, she kept her veterinarian career dream alive, and returned to school at age 29 to begin her studies. When Maura and her family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, she finally felt that she had come home. At Colorado State University, Maura graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Degree in Animal Science; and she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in May 2005.

In 1999, Maura began her tenure at Moore Animal Hospital as a veterinary technician. After working throughout her junior and senior undergraduate years, and through all four years of veterinary school, Maura became an associate veterinarian upon her May 2005 graduation. She bought the Moore Animal Hospital practice in 2012. Maura values the sense of family that exists among the Moore Animal Hospital staff and clients; and she continues to build on those relationships as the practice grows. When Maura’s away from the hospital, she enjoys a home occupied by her new husband Mark, two children, four dogs, one cat, and numerous fish. She recently married her long time best friend Mark in Turkes and Caicos. Her son Colton has graduated from college and plans to attend seminary; while her daughter Caitlyn attends Colorado State University and also works at the practice. Maura’s youngest son, Christian, loves school, legos, baseball and Rollerskating. Maura is very active within her church, volunteering as the Youth Missions Outreach Coordinator. She loves watching professional football, especially when her beloved Denver Broncos are playing. She’s an avid swimmer and snorkeler, and is currently SCUBA certification.

Over time, Maura has gradually downsized her dogs; as she moved from Belgian sheepdogs to border collies and finally to papillons. Her four small female pooches pack a ton of personality into their little bodies. Maia would play fetch all day if Maura let her; while Penelope is definitely the alpha dog who bosses everyone else around. Francisco has honed the term “spoiled rotten” to a fine art. Bunny is the papillon with the most personality, constantly making sure mom has not left the vacinity. The Backstrom family has recently re-entered the world of bigger dogs with the addition of Rhodesian Ridgeback, Poppy

Dr. Lisa Tornes
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Dr. Lisa Tornes

Associate Veterinarian

After graduating with a degree in accounting from the University of Richmond and working in Washington, D.C., as a Certified Public Accountant for several years, Dr. Lisa Tornes realized that her heart just wasn’t in the business world. In the summer of 1999, she took a two-week-long backpacking trip in the mountains of southwestern Colorado. It was there, after having a chance to reflect on her long-term goals and career desires in the middle of the wilderness, that she realized something: animal care was her true passion! Dr. Tornes hasn’t looked back since—now, she’s proud to serve as an Associate Veterinarian with the Moore Animal Hospital family.

Dr. Tornes is originally from Ohio and moved to Fort Collins shortly after making the decision to pursue animal medicine. She began volunteering at a local pet hospital, and it wasn’t long before she transitioned into a role as a Veterinary Technician. Dr. Tornes continued working there as she finished up her prerequisite coursework and entered veterinary school at Colorado State University—she graduated with her Doctorate in 2008, then gained even more hands-on experience by completing a small-animal internship at a veterinary clinic in Boise, Idaho. Next, Dr. Tornes worked as an emergency veterinarian for a year before returning to Colorado and joining the team at a small clinic in 2010.

Dr. Tornes became a member of the Moore Animal Hospital team in April of 2017. She has special interests in dermatology work—dealing with her own dog’s allergies has given her a new appreciation for this area of care!—and feline medicine. Most of all, Dr. Tornes loves bonding with her clients and their beloved companions on a daily basis.

In her time away from work, Dr. Tornes enjoys getting outside to hike, snowshoe, snowboard, and bicycle. She is also fond of reading, trying out new recipes, and spending time with her fiance Cody and their pets. They share their home with a lovable dog named Dexter and a crazy kitten named Clark.

Dr. Melissa Josephs
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Dr. Melissa Josephs

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Melissa actually began her college career studying human medicine. She decided to start volunteering at a low-cost spay and neuter clinic during her time away from class, and quickly fell in love with the world of animal care. That’s why Dr. Melissa decided to combine her interests in pet health and her passion for medicine! Now, she gets to help the earth’s creatures every day as an Associate Veterinarian.

Dr. Melissa is a native of Boulder and earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Colorado-Denver. Next, she attended Colorado State University to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. After a one-year small-animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Georgia, she took a job as an emergency veterinarian in coastal Mobile, Alabama. Upon moving back to her home state, Dr. Melissa started searching for a long-term position that would allow her to build relationships with her community’s pet owners. Moore Animal Hospital was the perfect fit!

Medically, Dr. Melissa likes cardiology and has long been fascinated by the heart and vascular system. She’s also fond of dental work. Most of all, she enjoys getting to witness the power of the human-animal bond up close and personal. 

Away from the office, Dr. Melissa’s favorite things to do are garden, go biking, hiking, snowboarding, or paddle boarding, and enjoy a nice glass of wine on her patio. At home, she and her fiancé, Caleb, share their lives with two adorable Chihuahuas: Butters, who Dr. Melissa has owned since she was a teenager, and Blue, who was rescued by Dr. Melissa after an unfortunate encounter with a car.

Dr. Lisa Roth
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Dr. Lisa Roth

Associate Veterinarian

Several years ago, while working a career in IT, Dr. Lisa Roth asked herself a poignant question: “What would you do with your life if money was no object and you could do whatever you wanted?” It was at that moment that she finally admitted she had always wanted to be a veterinarian. This realization, and her subsequent journey to see her dream through to fruition, have truly changed her life for the better!

After volunteering at an animal shelter on the weekends and taking pre requisite classes in the evenings, Dr. Roth finally quit her job to become a full-time student (again!) and began working in an animal hospital. After spending several years gaining experience and taking classes, she was accepted to Colorado State University for Veterinary Medicine. 

Beyond her deep love of animals, Dr. Roth has an equally profound love of science. She appreciates the constant challenge of managing dynamic cases and teaching others. Most of all, she is grateful for the opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of people and their pets.

Clinically, Dr. Roth enjoys educating clients and coming up with customized treatment plans. She firmly believes that pet owners should be fully on-board and involved with the treatment of their animal companions and, as such, always includes them in the process. She particularly enjoys performing surgery and is constantly impressed by physiology and how the body works. Most importantly, Dr. Roth loves building relationships with clients and getting to know them, their pets and their families.

Dr. Roth and her husband Rory have been together since their sophomore year of college at CSU. Together, they have a young son who keeps them very busy. A few years ago, the family adopted their dog, Baxter, who loves to cuddle and be included in everything they do! 

In her free time – which is minimal with a young child – Dr. Roth loves to connect with friends, go shopping, hang out in Old Town and stop by the local breweries. She also likes to read or listen to audio books and she tries her best to practice self-care whenever possible.

Dr. Sara Bumgardner Slagel
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Dr. Sara Bumgardner Slagel

Associate Veterinarian

So how exactly did Dr. Sara Bumgardner Slagel become the newest associate veterinarian on the Moore Animal Hospital staff? Well, for starters, she literally grew up in a veterinary environment. Her father’s veterinary clinic was located right below her, so at a young age she was a first-hand witness to the daily hustle and bustle of trained professionals helping animals!

While most young people grow up watching cartoons and playing outside after school, Dr. Sara spent her after-school hours assisting with surgeries and going on house calls. This piqued her interest in biological processes and problem-solving. She wanted to ultimately help nurture and care for animals and continue on her quest for knowledge, and all of these factors made her choice to pursue a career in veterinary medicine a simple one.

Born in mountainous Andrews, NC, Dr. Sara grew up with two older brothers and she shared many memorable adventures with them. She loved learning in all of her high school courses just as much as she enjoyed the competitive fire of playing sports. Dr. Sara credits her parents and teachers for instilling the valuable tools she would use to succeed in her future career. She looks forward to embarking on a new adventure to Fort Collins, CO to begin her new associate veterinarian position at Moore Animal Hospital.

When Dr. Sara isn’t focused on veterinary medicine, she can be found at home relaxing with her husband Nick. They have a set of toddler twins, two cats and two German shepherds to keep them busy and on their toes. Dr. Sara finds great joy in spending time at the beach with her loved ones.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”

–Anatole France