OUR DOCTORS
Dr. James V. Christensen
Dr. Christensen was born and raised in Arizona. He currently resides in Mesa with his wife, Emily, and their four lively fillies (daughters), Elizabeth, Lauren, Rebecca and Susanna.
After graduating from Arizona State University in 1999, Dr. Christensen attended veterinary school at Colorado State University where he was classmates with Dr. Robert Cooper. He graduated from CSU in 2003 and began practicing at East Valley Equine. At the state veterinary convention in 2007, Dr. Christensen was awarded the “Young Practitioner of the Year” award by his colleagues.
When not working with horses, Dr. Christensen and his family enjoy camping, fishing, skiing, and BIG bowls of ice cream.
Dr. Robert A. Cooper
Dr. Cooper grew up in Gilbert, Arizona. He attended Arizona State University for his pre-veterinary education and then graduated from Colorado State University′s college of veterinary medicine with Dr. James Christensen in 2003. After graduation, Dr. Cooper practiced at Durango Equine Veterinary Hospital in Buckeye, Arizona until he joined East Valley Equine Practice in June of 2006.
His main interests in practice include lameness and gastrointestinal disorders. At the state veterinary convention in May 2006, Dr. Cooper was awarded the “Young Practitioner of the Year” award by his colleagues.
Dr. Cooper loves spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their 6 beautiful daughters, Katie, Laura, Alyssa, Kylie, Hailey, and Sarah. He also enjoys any outdoor activities, especially coaching and playing sports with his daughters. He and his family are active in their community and church.
Dr. Michael Hufnagel
Dr. Hufnagel was born and raised in Colorado. He completed his pre-veterinary education at University of Colorado and then attended Colorado State University’s college of veterinary medicine. In 1970, Dr. Hufnagel graduated from CSU and moved to Missouri where he practiced for one year before moving to Arizona. In 1976, Dr. Hufnagel started East Valley Equine Practice in Mesa, AZ. He practiced there for 32 years before retiring in 2008.
Dr. Hufnagel and his wife, Linda, still reside in Mesa, AZ. Their first son, Dr. Ben Hufnagel, worked with Dr. Mike Hufnagel for 10 years before he and his wife, Noelle, and their children decided to escape the heat and moved to Colorado. Their second son, Dr. David Hufnagel, and his wife and children currently reside in Oregon. Mike and Linda enjoy traveling to visit their children and grandchildren. They also enjoy reading, biking, hiking, and theater.
OUR STAFF
Katie Smith, Veterinary Assistant
As a student enrolled in the Agribusiness & Pre-Veterinary Medicine program at ASU, Katie is busy preparing to become a veterinarian. When she has a little free time, Katie enjoys taking her horse out for trail rides or sharpening her mounted shooting skills.
Logan Fischer, Veterinary Assistant
Logan is an avid rider who loves to rope and perform with her drill team. She is also a student at Scottsdale Community College finishing up her degree in Equine Science. When she′s not studying or riding, Logan loves to be outdoors hiking and playing sports.
Erin Hood, Veterinary Assistant
Erin recently received a degree in Biology from Arizona State University and is looking to pursue her master’s in the equine sciences. Although she was born in the icy tundra of St. Paul Minnesota, Erin enjoys long hikes through the desert with her roommates and their many canine companions. During her free time, she tries to escape north to snow ski, camp and swim.