MEET OUR VETERINARIANS
Jessica Rychel - Jeret benson - kirsten blanchet - dorna khamsi - Arielle Pechette - Julie Sowa
Jessica Rychel, DVM, DACVSMR, CVMA, CCRP
Veterinarian/Owner
Board Certified American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Dr. Jess Rychel founded Red Sage Integrative Veterinary Partners in 2018 with the intention of providing comprehensive and cutting-edge medicine, while gathering the most experienced and caring team anywhere. Jess has long been a part of the Northern Colorado veterinary community, and has been board certified in sports medicine and rehab since 2013. She now sits on the executive board of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation as a way to give back to the college she has been a part of for so many years. In her daily practice, Jess helps animals and their people find success and love through evidence-based, integrative treatments, focusing on a combination of pain management, sports medicine, palliative care and rehabilitation for pets affected by a variety of conditions.
While clinical practice has been Jess' primary focus, her expertise and innovative veterinary care have brought her to national and international speaking venues, sharing that clinical knowledge with specialists, veterinarians and physicians far and wide. She is also very passionate about leadership in the field of veterinary medicine, where the changing, fast-paced culture has threatened to swallow individualized care and thoughtful approaches to healing. Red Sage Integrative Veterinary Partners refers to a foundational desire to partner with the community, pet owners and within our collaborative team to accomplish the best care possible for the pets treated at Red Sage.
Outside of work, Jess is raising kids, loving creatures and finding connection in Northern Colorado. She has been a long-time skier, but also loves being in nature (especially with her dogs) in every capacity.
Jeret Benson, DVM, CVMA, CCRP
Veterinarian
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Certified in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care through the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHP)
Jeret is a Colorado native born and raised in Golden. She attended Colorado State University for her undergraduate, master’s, and veterinary degrees. She has wanted to be a veterinarian since a very young age and has always had very interesting pets in her household growing up. Jeret has a passion for the human animal bond. She finds her purpose in educating and helping pet owners understand how to make life easier for their aging pets. Jeret is certified in veterinary acupuncture, canine rehabilitation, and animal hospice and palliative care. She strives to help pet owners navigate tough conversations and decisions regarding their pets' decline and end of life care.
In her free time, Jeret loves playing in the Colorado outdoors with her husband, their two amazing kids, three crazy dogs, and one insanely loved pigeon! Jeret and her husband love living in and being active members of the Fort Collins community. Jeret’s husband is a teacher-librarian (she lovingly refers to him as the guy-brarian) at Poudre High School. They are proud to raise, support, and grow their family in the Fort Collins community.
Kirsten Blanchet, DVM
Veterinarian
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Kirsten grew up on the Minnesota prairie and moved to Colorado for her undergraduate studies, where she attended Colorado College. After spending a few years in the mountains hiking, horseback riding and teaching skiing, she moved to Fort Collins to attend CSU Veterinary School. After veterinary school, she completed an internship in emergency medicine and then practiced in the ER for 6 years. She developed a special interest in pain management, and acupuncture and integrative therapies were always a part of that acute care medicine for Kirsten. As she has reached the next step in her career, a move to more serious pain management, integrative medicine and rehabilitation really spoke to her, and she was excited to join the team at Red Sage in June 2022. Kirsten has been certified in veterinary acupuncture throughout her veterinary career, and looks forward to putting it to use in the Red Sage setting.
When not treating patients, you can find her out hiking with her husband Conor, sons Soren & Leif and daughter Vilde; in the garden with her chickens; enjoying chocolate on the porch with her cat Cricket; or riding her fjord horses.
Dorna Khamsi, DVM
Veterinarian
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Dorna received her veterinary degree from Colorado State University in 2013 and began her professional career in general practice. After years of experience in general practice, she shifted her focus back to what drew her to veterinary medicine in the firstplace – reducing animal pain. She became interested specifically in providing individualized care using integrative therapies. Acupuncture was the first on her list of interests, so acupuncture certification was a primary focus after leaving general practice. She is also interested in other forms of integrative pain management and rehabilitation, which are a primary area of focus for Dorna.
Dorna jointed the Red Sage Team in June of 2022, and is an excellent fit with our style and approach to small animal medicine.
In her free time Dorna enjoys biking and going to the petting zoo with her young daughter, as well as camping with her family in their newly-acquired camper. She loves baking the perfect (and many imperfect) sourdough boules, and trying to turn her brown thumb green in her home garden. Dorna’s family includes two dogs, Penny and Mayson, as well as one cat, Abbey.
She has a soft-spot for all Huskies, so request Dorna if your Husky needs a tune-up!
Arielle Pechette, DVM, cVMA, CVPP, CCRT, DAIPM, DACVSMR
Veterinarian
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist
Diplomat of the Academy of Integrative Pain Management
Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
Dr. Pechette Markely is excited to be joining the team at Red Sage this summer. She earned her DVM from Colorado State University in 2010, during which time she also became certified in veterinary acupuncture.
After graduation she worked in emergency medicine and general practice where she developed a passion
for pain management and rehabilitation.
Dr. Pechette Markley went on to complete her Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner certification through IVAPM and her Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist certification through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. She then started a sports medicine and rehabilitation specialty practice in Indianapolis, Indiana. She completed a residency and achieved board certification with the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2023.
In 2018 Dr. Pechette Markley began working at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center and helped to start up a new Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation program. She enjoys seeing a variety of orthopedic, neurologic, geriatric and sports medicine cases. She has published extensive research in the field of canine agility injuries and has received funding from the Morris Animal Foundation for research on lumbosacral disease. She will continue to contribute to evidence based practice in veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation and Red Sage is excited to participate in and support this work. Look for new studies you can be a part of!
Her special interests include biomechanics, pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of sport-specific injuries in canine athletes, particularly in dogs competing in agility competitions.
She is ecstatic to be moving back to Fort Collins with her Border Collie and three cats, Theo, Ellie and Merc. She loves Colorado and can't wait to continue to explore all that it has to offer!
Julie Sowa, DVM, CVMA, CVSMT, CCRP
Veterinarian
Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist
Certified Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapist
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Dr. Julie Sowa brings over 20 years of veterinary experience to Red Sage, with a career deeply rooted in integrative medicine, rehabilitation, chiropractic therapy, and advanced pain management. Since earning her DVM from Colorado State University in 2003, she has pursued extensive post-graduate training in acupuncture, spinal manipulation therapy, and canine rehabilitation-- building an exceptional multimodal foundation for helping animals move and feel their best.
Julie’s clinical background includes general practice, emergency medicine, high-volume spay/neuter, and small-animal surgery, giving her a comprehensive understanding of both acute and chronic mobility challenges. Over a decade ago, she transitioned fully into rehabilitation medicine, where she found her professional calling.
In 2017, Julie founded a canine rehabilitation practice in Spokane, WA. What began as a single-room, sole-practitioner start-up grew into a respected rehabilitation center serving patients across the Pacific Northwest and Canada. At Pawlouse, she blended acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, targeted exercise, and underwater treadmill therapy into a cohesive, evidence-based rehabilitation program-- earning the trust of local veterinarians and clients who relied on her for advanced pain management and mobility care.
At Red Sage, Julie is dedicated to individualized, evidence-based therapy that blends hands-on techniques with functional, goal-oriented exercise. She values building long-term relationships with clients and is passionate about helping pets regain comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
Outside of work, Julie enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and spending time with her horses, dogs, and her cat, Zelda. She is thrilled to return to Colorado-- where her veterinary journey began-- and to join the Red Sage community.