Meet The Team
Our team is dedicated to your pet’s health.
The entire staff at Castle Pines Veterinary Hospital works tirelessly to provide the best care for your pet. Led by Dr. John Vickers, we strive to offer not only sound advice, but also optimal veterinary care.
Dr. John Vickers
DVM
Dr. John Vickers is a Colorado native and graduate of Colorado State University. Initially, he had a career as a middle school teacher in Fort Collins teaching German, French, Spanish, and English Literature. A change of direction led to CSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Upon completing his professional degree, John and his family moved to Oregon where he worked as a mixed animal vet. He then returned to Colorado to become a small animal specialist in 2001.
His particular interests include internal medicine, surgery, dentistry, and ophthalmology. In August of 2007, he became the owner of Castle Pines Veterinary Hospital. When not busy at work, you can find him coaching baseball, riding his bike, running in the mountains, or arguing politics with anyone that will listen. He and his wife Diana make their home in Highlands Ranch with their three children Katie, Sarah, and Matt as well as their dog Gracie and cat Oliver.
Dr. Elizabeth Arthur
DVM
Dr. Arthur is from Colorado and received her veterinary degree from CSU School of Veterinary Medicine in Fort Collins. For the last 15 years, she was a co-owner of a mixed animal practice in Gunnison, CO. She relocated back to the Front Range to be near family and access greater resources and education for her teen daughter.
She has particular interests in geriatrics; life-stage and life-style tailored veterinary care, surgery, and internal medicine. She also participates in programs focusing on care provision for feral, stray, and shelter populations as well as companions of the homeless.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading and hanging with her dogs, Susie and Hammie, and her friends and family.
Dr. Alicia Hanson
DVM
Dr. Hanson grew up in northern Georgia. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Kennesaw State University in Georgia. After several years of veterinary assisting she went on to veterinary school at Mississippi State University where she received her D.V.M. Degree. She has been practicing veterinary medicine in Arizona prior to her move to Colorado. Dr. Hanson’s veterinary interests include preventative medicine, pain management, geriatric care, and internal medicine. Outside of work, she spends her time with her husband Ryan, their son Noah and two dogs Skye and Miles (not pictured).
Dr. Kathy Wilks
DVM
Dr. Kathy Wilks is a Colorado native who always knew she wanted to be a Veterinarian. She obtained her Bachelor and Doctorate degrees from Colorado State University. She has practiced at several clinics in the Southwest metro area including her own start up clinic in Littleton.
Dr. Wilks’ professional interests include: dentistry, behavior, and preventative medicine. She shares her home with two active Australian Shepherds Cooper and Ollie, a little fluffy white dog Tia, as well as the two-leggeds in her life; her husband Kevin and their daughter who keeps them busy as a teenager and a competitive soccer player. She enjoys spending time with her family hiking, cooking, and watching the Broncos and Avalanche play. She stretches her brain by learning agility with Ollie.
Linda Ringstad
Practice Manager
Linda Ringstad became our Practice Manager here at Castle Pines Veterinary Hospital in June of 2019. She has been working in the veterinary industry since 2004. Her love for animals and passion for their welfare goes way back. She also has a great love and appreciation for the pet parents that she has seen over the years who work tirelessly to do right by their animals. Linda is eager to support you in any way possible.
Linda and her husband, Kirk, have three grown sons with families of their own including grandchildren she gets to spoil. They have lived in Castle Rock since 1997 and couldn’t ask for a better place to live. She looks forward to meeting you.
Please feel free to reach out to contact her directly at any time.
Liz Vargas
Lead Veterinary Technician
Liz worked in the Veterinary Medicine field for five years in New Jersey, before moving to Denver. She has now been living in Colorado for three years and loves every minute of it. She loves exercising and going for hikes. Her dog Rudy is a seven-year-old lab mix, who loves going for hikes, swimming, and playing at the dog park.
Andrea Paz
Certified Veterinary Technician
Andrea is originally from the Bay area and grew up there most of her life. Andrea has been in the veterinary field for about 11 years now and been a licensed technician for seven years. Andrea loves everything about the job; getting to know the clients, educating them, taking care and getting to know all the animals. Her husband of five years and Andrea enjoy traveling, the outdoors, BBQing, spending time with their dog Mickey, and just enjoy everything life has to offer.
Tara Battig
Veterinary Assistant
Tara Battig is our veterinary assistant who is going to school at Bel Rea.
Holly Beilstein
Lead Receptionist
Holly has worked within various healthcare settings since 2010, including veterinary, shelter, and medical offices. She graduated with an associate’s degree in Zoology and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Health Care. In her free time, she loves wandering farmers markets, cooking healthy recipes, exploring local trails with her husband and dogs, and pet photography. She lives in Highlands Ranch with her husband and is so thankful to call this beautiful state home.
Sommer Nichols
Receptionist
I’m originally from Northern California, but moved to Colorado shortly after my husband and I were married. In my spare time you can usually find me working on DIY projects or crafts. Im a big Disney fan and love anything Lucille Ball.
Sonja Hicks
Sonja joined us in July 2019 moving here from North Carolina. She comes with over 20 years experience in Office, Veterinary and Rescue work. We are fortunate to have her on our team. She brings a diversity of skills. She especially loves the client experience in reception but you may also see her assisting doctors in rooms.