Friendship Hospital for Animals
1103 Oak Park Drive | Fort Collins, CO 80525
doctors| Monday | 24hr |
| Tuesday | 24hr |
| Wednesday | 24hr |
| Thursday | 24hr |
| Friday | 24hr |
| Saturday | 24hr |
| Sunday | 24hr |
- Animal Boarding
- Animal Daycare
- Animal Flea Control
- Animal Grooming
- Animal Microchipping
- Declawing
- Emergency Veterinary Clinic
- Holistic Veterinary Medicine
- Small Animal Vet
- Spaying/Neutering
- Veterinarians
- Veterinary Dentistry
- Veterinary Euthanasia
- Veterinary Surgery
- Veterinary Vaccinations
Description
Whether your companion is a puppy or a kitten, an adult or a senior, our dedicated veterinarians and team members will provide you with a wellness care program custom-tailored to your animal’s needs. We also offer state-of-the-art referral services—including cardiology, oncology, internal medicine, and surgery—all under a single clinic roof. If an unexpected health issue arises, our 24–hour emergency vet service means we’re here for you at any time of day or night.
Whether your companion is a puppy or a kitten, an adult or a senior, our dedicated veterinarians and team members will provide you with a wellness care program custom-tailored to your animal’s needs. We also offer state-of-the-art referral services—including cardiology, oncology, internal medicine, and surgery—all under a single clinic roof. If an unexpected health issue arises, our 24–hour emergency vet service means we’re here for you at any time of day or night.
Doctors
Cat Cross, DVM
Congratulations to Dr. Cat Cross, who has recently accepted an invitation to join the Animal House Board of Directors. Dr. Cross and Friendship Hospital for Animals have supported Animal House since they opened four years ago. She looks forward to assisting them with their important role in our community.
Dr. Cat Cross received her DVM degree from Texas A&M University in 1986. She completed a post-doctoral internship at the University of Illinois with areas of concentration in internal medicine and oncology.
Before moving to Fort Collins, Dr. Cross practiced for six years at a large multi-doctor practice in Washington, DC. In 1996, Dr. Cross became Board Certified in Canine and Feline practice with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. At that time, she was one of only 330 veterinarians in the country with that distinction.
In addition to leading the veterinary team at Friendship, Dr. Cross serves as one of twelve selected members of the General Practitioner Advisory Board for Eli Lilly and has served as a Key Opinion Leader for Novartis. Dr. Cross is a past board member of the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Larimer Humane Society. She is currently serving as a board member for the Animal House of Fort Collins.
Dr. Cross knew at an early age that she wanted to become a veterinarian. In fact, says the doctor, "I cannot remember a time when I didn't want to become a veterinarian!” Dr. Cross's specialties include internal medicine and dentistry. Her most memorable veterinary experiences all involve families and children enthusiastically welcoming a "four-footed angel" into their lives.
Dr. Cross's pets are Patrick, Nora, Kiko, Moki, and Fiona. There may be others hiding around the house. Fiona was found at six weeks of age in a tree in Greeley begging our lead Client Care Provider to take her in and introduce her to the Cross "zoo". Kiko and Moki are two calico female cats who were adopted together in February 2007 and are graduates of the Larimer Humane Society. Kiko, an eight-year old, has set a new standard for “cool” in our lives. Moki, a six-year old, is an irresistible combination of beauty, affection and really poor motor skills.
Patrick (The “P”) is a handsome, sweet and ebullient Llewellin Setter from our friends Laura and Bob Whitlock of Hickory Hollow Llewellins in Shellsburg, Iowa. When not running with Dr. Cross, he can be found curled up under Dr. Julie Smith's desk hoping that she will adopt him. Nora, our newest family member, is a one-year old 10-pound "American Moop." We rescued her from the Larimer Humane Society and she reminds us every day of how wonderful she is...even Patrick agrees!
Each of these special creatures traveled a different route to “Cross Heaven” and we are so happy to have them in our lives.
Dr. Cross enjoys spending time with her husband and her friends. She is a fan of all types of exercise, and likes to get out in the great outdoors.
Julie Smith, DVM
Born and raised in Denver, Dr. Smith is happily settled in Fort Collins where she shares her home with her family: two bonded-for-life house bunnies, an ever affable and affectionate senior cat, and a new stray addition: Stella Luna the 3 pound silver Chihuahua fresh off the streets of Fort Collins. In addition, Patrick, the Cross’ serene and handsome Llewellyn Setter, joins Dr. Smith under her desk every day to impart his spirit of calm and life balance.
During her life, Gracie Marie (a rescued orange belton English Setter) was a cherished companion to Dr.Smith and a constant presence at Friendship Hospital. The Gracie Fund was established in memory of our Gracie Marie to contribute to the medical care of Friendship patients in cases of extensive illness and financial hardship. Gracie lives on through our beautiful memories of her and the generosity of those who continue to donate in her loving memory.
In 2008, Dr. Smith was nominated as the "Best Veterinarian in America". Her nomination was submitted to the Morris Animal Foundation as part of the "Thank Your Vet for a Healthy Pet" essay contest to honor America's best veterinarians. We are so proud of her!
Before becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Smith put her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees to good use for 10 years, practicing as a registered dietitian for the dairy industry in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Dr. Smith has special expertise in pet rabbit health and medical care. She is a founding member of the Colorado chapter of the House Rabbit Society and volunteers regularly to provide the veterinary care for their local sanctuary. She spends her free time with friends and family. She relishes her work and enduring relationship with the Crosses and Friendship Hospital for Animals and plans to continue (for at least another 10 years!) to make it her long term professional home.
Christine Cortney, DVM
Dr. Christine Cortney is honored to have been an associate at Friendship Hospital for Animals since December 2012. A Colorado native, Dr. Cortney attended Colorado State University where she received her Masters of Anatomy and Neurobiology in 2003 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Dr. Cortney feels blessed to have had a number of amazing mentors in her professional life. For this reason, she often comments that she will, “treat anything that has fur or scales!” Her specific veterinary interests include preventative healthcare of family pets, soft tissue surgery, pain management, and strengthening the human-animal bond. Dr. Cortney recognizes that best friends come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it is a Great Dane or a tiny Dwarf Hamster, Dr. Cortney strives to treat each of her patients as though they were her own.
Dr. Cortney’s furry family includes her four cats, Shiloh, Sampson, Chester, and Oliver, her dog, Gunther, and her horse, Guy Smiley. When not at Friendship, you may spot Christine on one of the city ambulances volunteering as an E.M.T Reserve with Poudre Valley Hospital. Dr. Cortney is also on a competitive dragon boat team and enjoys competing in the annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival and other regattas around the country. Dr. Cortney enjoys wood carving, canoeing, the company of good friends and family, and any excuse to get outdoors.
Pia Martiny, DVM
Hello! My name is Pia Martiny. I'm originally from South Africa, grew up in San Diego and had the great fortune to move to Northern Colorado in 2005. I attended CSU for veterinary school, and after graduation I backpacked across Europe and South Africa for 4 months. I practiced in the state of Washington, but found myself missing Northern Colorado greatly and am so excited to be back! My passions in veterinary medicine include soft tissue surgery, dentistry and working with spay/neuter groups across the world.
Outside of veterinary medicine I like all things outdoors: camping, snowboarding, snowshoeing, trap and skeet shooting, as well as exploring vegetarian cooking and spending time with my boy Bubba- an amazing chocolate lab.
