Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team! Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Eagle Spirit Veterinary Practice in Greeley! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets! Please call us at 970-356-3134 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!
Dr. Thomas Ponder
Thomas Ponder developed his “sixth sense” about animals’ health when he was just a young boy. Thomas’ family always included dachshunds and cats, and he was very much in tune with his beloved pets’ health. In fact, Thomas could always sense when an animal didn’t feel well. Thomas often accompanied his mother to that pet’s veterinary appointment, and he was fascinated by how the doctor could diagnose his pet’s problem and put him on the road to recovery. Dr. Ponder feels his “sixth sense” still plays a part in his veterinary care, and he is grateful that he can help his furry patients and their pet parents enjoy healthier lives together!
Growing up in Englewood, Colorado with his younger brother and sister, Thomas enjoyed his Boy Scout troop’s activities. When Thomas grew older, he became an Eagle Scout and began spending his summers as a Boy Scouts camp counselor. He feels that his scouting experiences helped shape his core values, giving him the strong work ethic that was the foundation of a successful veterinary career.
Dr. Ponder came to his veterinary career rather unexpectedly, as he originally enrolled in a pre-med program at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Intrigued by microbiology, he transferred to Colorado State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. After further study at Washington State University, Thomas earned his Master of Science in Bacteriology and Public Health.
While Thomas appeared headed for a human medicine career, he happened to attend a Colorado State University Veterinary School Open House, and immediately knew he was meant for veterinary medicine. Thomas was quickly accepted into the CSU Veterinary School, receiving his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine four years later. After passing his state and national board exams, Dr. Ponder worked for six months at an Englewood, Colorado veterinary Hospital. When Dr. Ponder’s family veterinarian approached him about buying his practice, Dr. Ponder jumped at the opportunity to become his own boss owning Cherry Knolls Veterinary Hospital in Littleton, CO.
After owning three successful veterinary practices, Dr. Ponder was working as a USDA Veterinary Medical Officer when he decided to follow his passion as a companion animal veterinarian. In December 2003, Dr. Ponder opened Eagle Spirit Veterinary Practice, deciding on a mobile treatment format featuring a fully equipped clinic unit. Greeley, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath, and Eaton, CO are serviced by the practice. By operating a mobile practice, Dr. Ponder can spend a minimum of an hour per visit with each family. These longer visits enable Dr. Ponder to gain valuable information about the pet’s health. He can also spend more time educating his clients and building long-lasting relationships with them.
When Dr. Ponder’s away from the clinic, he shares life with his wife Susie, who works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Dr. Ponder also enjoys a number of outdoor activities; including SCUBA diving, fly fishing, back-country camping, golf, and exploring Colorado ghost towns. Taking it up a notch, he also likes to fly his single-engine airplane and ride his Harley Davidson Soft Tail Deuce motorcycle.
Finally, the Ponder family also includes eight feline members, as Dr. Ponder and Susie are passionate about cats. The couple’s seven indoor cats include Hanna, Annie, Sam, Char, Cindy, Sweet Pea (aka Chirps), and Angel. Bob, the sole indoor/outdoor feline family member, has adopted the heated garage as his cozy home while still indulging his need for outdoor exploration. In fact, you might say that Bob enjoys the best of both worlds.
Dr. Ponder is a member of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
Jaydica
Veterinary Assistant
Jaydica Baeza has always had a love and understanding for animals, having been passionate about their health and happiness ever since she could remember. From as little as two years old there has always been another furry family member in her home. Having two Siamese and a tabby her entire life with the oldest still here to this day and her first boxer puppy when she lived in Arizona for a few years.
Jaydica was always the one to go to with questions you had about your animal growing up being the one who would watch surgery videos ever since YouTube was developed. In her spare time, she would love to give her friends and family pets a good groom and homemade treats.
Having a boxer comes with zoomies, slobber, and usually allergies. Since moving back to Colorado at age 12, her boxer did not cope too well with the season change developing severe allergies that at the time her family could only do so much for.
Then began her passion for holistic medicine and benefits. Solving most allergen issues and more with determined research for the wellbeing of another soul. Later in life she rescued two German Shepherds, one who had demodectic mange, that not only expanded her growth in knowledge about disease, immune health, holistic remedies, patients, along with so much more.
Jaydica is a Colorado native growing up right here in Greeley surrounded by a huge loving family. Graduating from Greeley West Highschool counting a few homeschool years with Monarch Academy keeping a 3.5+ GPA, being a four-sport student athlete and part time barista, staying focused and motivated came naturally being competitive to strive for the best.
Jaydica is currently just a cat lady with 5 indoor/outdoor kitties ranging from age 20-1 years old. Their names are Smokey, Ashes, Luna, Saber, and Sokka.
In her spare time, she is very family oriented and spends as much time outside as possible; including softball leagues, camping, fishing, lazy River/lake days and exploring as much as possible.
Working with Dr. Thomas Ponder has been a blessing that Jaydica used to dream of. Allowing her to gain unbelievable experience through his practice and continuing her knowledge through Patterson Veterinary Academy. Jaydica Baeza cannot wait to assist you and your fur babies needs and form a connection that you can trust.