Meet the vets at Homeward Bound
Dr. Jeff Gerlesits, DVM, Owner
Jeff was born and raised in Wheaton, Illinois, a great suburb outside of Chicago. He received his undergraduate degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he studied and played soccer for the Golden Eagles. Jeff then pursued his dreams of becoming a veterinarian at the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine. With the excitement of the profession and novelty of James Herriot in his head, Jeff then ventured to Te Awamutu, New Zealand for a year long training program in dairy, sheep, and small animal medicine. The beautiful country and people helped shape his approach to holistic, quality medicine while considering the differing situations of patients and clients.
After this great experience, Jeff sharpened his medical skills during an small animal rotating internship at Animal Hospital Specialty Center in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. From there he spent five years caring for patients in Denver before landing at his long term home in Arvada at Homeward Bound. After spending time with Jeff, it is easy to see his passion is helping and caring for animals and their people. He has gained a reputation as a caring, progressive, and thoughtful doctor. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys sports, camping, fishing, snowboarding, and hiking. Jeff and his wife, Andra, stay busy chasing around their 3 year old daughter, Elise, their new baby Hazel, and their English Setter, Dawson.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Chughtai, DVM, MPH, Owner
Aziz grew up on the East Coast, first outside of Boston, then in coastal Maine. After completing his undergraduate work in international relations at Tufts University, he completed a masters degree in epidemiology and bio-statistics at Boston University. He worked at Massachusetts General Hospital as a clinical research coordinator for several years before realizing that he was more passionate about animals than statistical programming. Four years later, he completed his veterinary degree, also at Tufts University, before moving to Colorado to undertake a one year rotating small animal internship at Animal Hospital Specialty Center in Highlands Ranch. He and his family fell in love with Colorado and have been here ever since. Aziz lives with his wife Stefanie, his son Alexander, and their two cats Lao Tzu and Siddhartha. He enjoys the outdoors, recreational and spectator sports, tinkering about in the garage and trying grow whatever he can in the garden.
Dr. Stefanie Tande, DVM
Stefanie was born and raised in Minot, North Dakota. She received her undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University with majors in Biochemistry and Psychology while playing on the university tennis team. She then went on to earn her veterinary degree from Tufts University in 2009 followed by completing a rotating small animal internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. After moving to the Denver area, she decided this was the place for her and has lived here ever since. Stefanie lives with her husband, Aziz, her son, Alexander, and their two cats, Lao-Tzu and Siddhartha. She enjoys hiking, skiing, reading and spending time with her family.
Dr. Nathan Siegel, DVM
Nathan was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Auburn University where he received a BS in Animal Science before heading back home to Georgia to attend veterinary school. Nate graduated with honors from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and moved to Colorado to start his career at Homeward Bound Animal Hospital. When not taking care of animals, he enjoys all that Colorado has to offer including trail running, fishing, snowboarding and hiking with his dog Cooper.
Dr. Cory Meirs, DVM
Cory attended college at the University of Vermont where he completed his undergraduate degree in animal science. He applied to DVM programs around the world with a desire to travel and accepted an offer to attend the University of Melbourne in Australia. Upon completing his veterinary degree, he returned home to the U.S. to complete an intensive one year rotating internship at Oradell Animal Hospital, a large emergency and specialty small animal practice in New Jersey.
Following his small animal internship, Cory and his family moved to Colorado where he worked as an emergency veterinarian for a year. Originally from rural New Jersey, Cory is a third generation veterinarian, both his father and grandfather were equine veterinarians. During his childhood he spent much of his time driving from farm to farm treating horses, and other creatures. When Cory is not at work, you will find him exercising, hiking, snowboarding, camping and enjoying time with his wife, Molly, son Edwin and his two 'mutts' Cedar and Dita
