Advanced Animal Care of Colorado & DOG TALES

AACC is a full service hospital, providing small animal advanced veterinary care. Dog Tales Activity Center provides dog daycare, grooming, pet lodging, training and swimming. Stop by our facility for a tour! 
  • Advanced Animal Care of Colorado
  • 1530 Riverside Avenue
  • Fort Collins, CO 80524
  • Phone: (970) 493-3333
  • Fax: (970) 315-3545
  • Email Us
  • Get Directions
  • Mon-Fri: 7:00 am-7:00 pm
  • Sat: 7:00 am-4:00 pm
  • Sun: Closed
  • Call us for after hours emergency support - we are here for you!
  • Heather Steyn, DVM, Practice Owner

    Heather Steyn, DVM, Practice Owner

    Dr. Heather Steyn is a graduate of the Colorado State University Professional Veterinary Medicine program and has lived in Colorado since 1991. She attended North Carolina State University for her Bachelor of Science with a minor in Genetics as well as a focus in Animal Behavior. Dr. Steyn has been a member of the Society for Theriogenology since 2003 and has pursued a residency position with the American College of Theriogenologists for eligibility for board certification in this specialty field. She has had a professional interest in canine reproduction for her entire career and has gone through extensive training and certification to handle frozen semen and fulfill the AKC requirements to run an Internationally operated canine frozen semen bank.


    In addition to reproduction medicine Dr. Steyn has pursued several other areas of special interest including extensive dentistry, internal medicine, laparoscopic surgery procedures, soft tissue surgery, behavioral consultations, general practice services, and chronic disease management.  Dr. Steyn has served the Fort Collins community for over 10 years in the veterinary field and is very excited to be pursuing her dream of opening her own hospital! Adding additional services to her hospital with this adventure has made this even a more exciting prospect! Dr. Steyn would love to hear from you and is very open to receiving emails from the community, public and clients!

    Years in Practice:
    Apr 07, 2001
    Education:
    Colorado State University
    Specialties:
    Reproduction Medicine, General Practice, Endocrinology, Ultrasound, Laparoscopic Surgery, Dentistry, Soft Tissue Surgery, Neonatology
    Email:
  • Dr. Akos Hartai

    Dr. Akos Hartai

    Dr. Hartai has been captivated from an early age with nature and animals, his parents claim that he decided to be a veterinarian at the age of 3. The fascination never stopped and he is very happy to be able to work with animals every day. Dr. Hartai graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Zoology, attended St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine for his veterinary degree, completing his clinical year at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hartai saw during his veterinary education that there are some conditions that conventional approaches have a tough time dealing with or some that alternative approaches work better. Right out of veterinary school Dr. Hartai attended the Chi Institute in Florida to become certified in veterinary acupuncture, one of the branches of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). Dr. Hartai continued that basic training with advanced classes at the Chi Institute covering advanced acupuncture techniques, Chinese therapeutic massage (Tui-Na), Chinese food therapy and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Dr. Hartai has also attended Parker College of Chiropractics Animal Chiropractic course and gained certification in animal chiropractic through testing by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Dr. Hartai is trained in Stem-Cell and Class IV laser therapy use. He has been using these modalities alongside his general medicine to provide the best custom fit plan for the individual animal for the optimal results. In addition to the alternative modalities Dr. Hartai enjoys preventive medicine, client education, dentistry, ophthalmology and internal medicine.

    Dr. Hartai and his family (both furry and not) are very excited to be moving to Fort Collins, to get to know all of you and to explore the great outdoors!

    Education:
    DVM, CVA
    Specialties:
    Acupuncure, Chiropractic, Holistic/Chinese Herbs
    Email:
  • Malina Knable

    Malina Knable

    Malina has loved animals for as long as she can remember. Her mother's biggest complaint was that she brought home every stray! Besides her passion for animals, Malina loves people. Being a Customer Service Representative is the perfect fit for her, animals and people.
    When she not at Advanced Animal Care, you will most likely find her hanging out with her awesome husband, Rick, and their three dogs, Amelia the greatest Dane, Francesca the black-tri Aussie, Clare the red merel Aussie, and Peanut the naughty African Grey. Malina has two children. Her son, Ricky, is a personal fitness trainer who lives in Portland, with his adorable wife, Genea. Her daughter, Amie, is an amazing artist and lives in Rifle, CO with her incredible husband Chris.
    Years in Practice:
    Nov 11, 2011
    Education:
    FRCC Student
    Email:
  • Brianna Cruz-Heath

    Brianna Cruz-Heath

    Brianna has been a CVT since June 2007, after obtaining her A.A.S. from Bel-Rea Institute. Before that, she graduated from Colorado State with a degree in Wildlife Biology. She has a passion for learning holistic medicine, and gaining as much knowledge in veterinary medicine as possible, to better care for her four legged family members. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, boating, trail riding, painting, and crafty projects. She lives in Eaton with her husband Brian, dogs Calvin and Bella, horses Uname and Cade, cat Ninja, parrots Bugsy and Cookie, and many chickens. Brianna is excited to join the AACC team.
    Years in Practice:
    Oct 24, 2011
    Education:
    A.A.S., B.S., C.V.T.
    Specialties:
    Laproscopic Tech.
    Email:
  • Rebecca Bernstein

    Rebecca Bernstein

    An animal lover her whole life, Rebecca Bernstein dreamed of becoming either a veterinarian or a dog trainer. At six, she trained her toy poodle to sit, stay, lie down, shake hands, and roll over. When she started school at CSU, she was an Animal Science major. After several classes that were leading toward agriculture and livestock production, she ended up changing majors and graduating with a B.S. degree in Technical Journalism, always keeping her love for dogs in the back of her mind. She also learned how to knit, a hobby she now loves. Along with her husband, they have adopted two domestic short-hair cats, Tom and Lily, and a beautiful American Pit Bull Terrier, Azula, who loves to swim. For the past couple of years, she envisioned an indoor dog pool opening in Fort Collins so Azula can swim all year long. Now her dream has come true with Dr. Steyn, who is opening her veterinary hospital and activity center complete with an indoor dog pool.
    Years in Practice:
    Oct 24, 2011
    Education:
    B.S. Technical Journalism
    Email:
  • Megan Smith

    Megan Smith

    Megan moved from Washington to Colorado in 2007 to attend Colorado State University. Her love for animals and horses drew her to the Equine Science program at CSU. After graduating in 2010, Megan worked as a nanny until joining our team. From the very beginning her passion has been horses. Along with working for AACC she rides and trains Quarter Horses. Recently Megan and her husband Bryan have expanded their family with a male Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Sig. The three of them love enjoying the great outdoors, camping, hiking, fishing and hunting, every chance they get.
    Years in Practice:
    Nov 02, 2011
    Education:
    B.S.
    Specialties:
    Equine Science
    Email:
  • Kara Landess

    Kara Landess

    Kara, one of our technician assistants, is from Colorado Springs but has been living in Fort Collins with her "awesome husband" Trever, for the past three years. She is currently going to FRCC, with only one semester left in the Veterinary Technician program. She has owned many pets over the years: pygmy goats, chickens, ferrets, cats, and dogs, all of which she loves dearly. She currently has two puppies, Trigger (Border Collie/ Blue Heeler) and Ryder (Australian Shepherd) who just love getting into trouble together! She is very passionate about caring for animals, and loves that she is constantly learning new ways to treat and care for them. Some of her hobbies include camping, hiking, fishing, and anything outdoors with her husband and pups!
    Years in Practice:
    Oct 24, 2011
    Education:
    Student at FRCC
    Email:
  • Emily Rhodes

    Emily Rhodes

    Emily, one of the technician assistants, is a junior at Colorado State University, studying Biological Sciences. She hopes to attend veterinary school, not sure where yet, after graduating! She has 2 cats at home in Castle Rock, CO who she adores and misses dearly. Emily has worked at veterinary clinics since she was 16 years old and truly has a passion for this line of work. One of her life goals is to visit every continent and so far she has visited 4 out of 7! This summer, she studied abroad in South Africa, working with domesticated pets, dogs mostly, and also a variety of wildlife! Emily is also going to Costa Rica and Nicaragua in January for a volunteer trip. She will be assisting with veterinary care of domesticated animals, including wellness exams, vaccines, and spaying/neutering. She enjoys running, reading, traveling, being outdoors and caring for animals, of course!
    Years in Practice:
    Oct 24, 2011
    Education:
    Student at CSU
    Email:
  • Alan Tay

    Alan Tay

    Alan brings over 15 years of agility and obedience training skills and competitive experiences with him. He has owned and shown Chihuahuas, Miniature Schnauzers, American Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, and Border Collies in Singapore before moving to the USA 10 years ago. His move here was to chase his childhood dreams to become a professional dog trainer.

    Currently, he is showing a 10 year old Border Collie, Rain, in agility competitions. He is also preparing an 8-month- old Border Collie, Singa, for the same sport.

    Besides putting major titles and competing in AKC and USDAA Nationals, Alan is also helping students achieve agility titles and qualifications to many National and AKC Agility Invitationals. His number one goal in training is to help students enjoy the sport, and help their dog have fun with them.

    His student'™s dogs include: Viszlas, Phy Shepherds, Shelties, Labradors, Stratford shires, Border Terriers, Boston Terriers, Papillions, Australian Shepherds, Pugs, Chihuahuas, Miniature Schnauzers, Dobermans, Jack Russell Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Miniature Poodles, and Mix breeds, just to name a few.

    Alan retired 5 years ago from the corporate business world to teach agility full time. He is very passionate about the sport, and loves to help his students excel in the competitions. He utilizes positive reinforcement with play and treats in his training. Alan does not follow any specific agility training systems. He adopts techniques from a variety of training methods to help handlers and dogs form a solid team to run any prescribed agility course.

    A major technique, rarely used by many instructors in agility, but used by Olympians, is the use of visual feedback. Alan uses video cameras and computer systems to illustrate correct use of cues and timing to ensure dogs learn without bad habits. Students learn to apply mental management techniques, the law of physics, and dog/owner visual tools to their agility work. Dogs that learn agility skills in this way have minimal impact to their physical well-being, and perform well when they compete.

    You can preview some of Alan'™s training of his dog'™s, Singa and Rain. Visit www.powerpups.net.

    Specialties:
    Agility Training
    Email: