Ricia Walker, DVM

Dr. Ricia Walker decided on veterinary medicine as a career at the tender age of four years old. Growing up in New England, she worked as a veterinary technician in Connecticut and then Colorado for more than 22 years, which gave her an extraordinary depth of practical knowledge. As a technician, she specialized in behavioral counseling, which continues to be an area of particular interest today.

Continuing her education, she received her Bachelor of Science from The University of Colorado in 1997. In 2001, she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. While attending veterinary school, she also worked for three years as a laboratory technician in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory at the University’s veterinary teaching hospital. During her senior year of veterinary school, she was awarded the coveted Gentle Doctor Award.

After veterinary school, Dr. Walker worked as an associate veterinarian in Colorado Springs until opening Pets First Animal Hospital in October of 2008. Advocating for her patient's physical and mental wellbeing is a constant source of gratification and fulfillment.

Her professional interests are focused on geriatric medicine and internal medicine, as well as dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiology, behavioral medicine, alternative medicine, and cancer treatment.

Dr. Walker’s personal menagerie of pets includes her American Bulldog mix, Lorelei Magnolia, her Shih Tzu Lila Mae; three cats, Shabooty, Mortimer, and CK; two parrots, Fairbanks and Gabriel; five abnormally large goldfish; and, of course, a constant parade of foster cats and dogs. Her extracurricular interests include snorkeling and diving, interior and landscape design, movies, music, and hiking with her dogs.