Avenues Pet Clinic

Health Care Team

Dr. Rod Hartshorn

Dr. Rod Hartshorn has been practicing small animal medicine and surgery for 40 years. He attended Pepperdine Univeristy and the University of California at Davis, receiving his DVM in 1970.

Dr. Hartshorn is board certified and is a diplomate of both The American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) and The American College of Veterinary Preventative Medicine (ACVPM).

During his 40 continuous years of private practice, Dr. Hartshorn has worked in 9 different veterinary practices coast to coast. He also served 21 years in the Air Force Veterinary Corps.

During his AF career:

• He received his Masters Degree in Laboratory Animal Medicine from Pennsylvania State University in 1978.
• He was on staff at the Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania, teaching surgery to 2nd year medical students for 2 years.
• He was Chief of Clinical Medical Research at the Bethesda Naval Hospital for 4 years and has authored/coauthored over 40 medical publications.
• He served as an advisor/instructor for the lab animal preceptorship programs both at the Walter Reed Institute of Research and at the National institutes of Health for 4 years.
• In 1982 he was assigned as Base Veterinarian at F. E. Warren AFB, and later Chief of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the Base Hospital.

Through his volunteer work with the Cheyenne Animal Shelter, he met and became friends with Dr. Jean Cotton, who was VP of the Shelter Board in 1982.

Dr. Hartshorn has been with the Avenues Pet Clinic since Dr. Jean Cotton first opened the doors in 1983.

When Dr. Cotton retired in 2005, he and Ruth Cotton purchased the Avenues. Ruth is co-owner and serves as Hospital Administrator.

Dr. Hartshorn was married at age 19 to his late wife Sue and celebrated their Silver Anniversary before her untimely passing in 1991. With his current wife of 18 years, Laura, they share his 5 children, her 2 children and 13 grandchildren.

Dr. Hartshorn enjoys working with youth, serving as a Scoutmaster for over 20 years. He is an avid downhill skier and a scuba driver since 1999 with over 200 logged dives.

Currently, his two biggest joys come from working with clients at the Avenues Pet Clinic and from the sport of competitive dog shows. With his wife Laura, he raises, grooms and and shows Champion Miniature Schnauzers

Their kennel is called LaRoh Miniature Schnauzers. Four of their dogs have earned their AKC Championship since May 2007.

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