About Us

Birch Tree Animal Hospital was established by Dr. Carsten in 1988.  With the opening of this office, he was able to return to his home town in the Roaring Fork Valley.  As a graduate of Glenwood Springs High School and Colorado Mountain College, he had a long held desire to return to the Roaring Fork Valley to raise his family. 
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    For almost 30 years, Dr. Carsten has been training, researching, teaching, and using holistic medical approaches in veterinary practice while continuing to maintain his conventional medical, surgical, and dental training and skills. 
    Based on these experiences, Dr. Carsten has focused on developing an integrative approach that  combines conventional and holistic methods.  His goal has always focused on developing a patient management plan that optimally addresses the individual needs of each patient using techniques from a wide variety of healing traditions including conventional medicine and surgery, the use of whole food supplements, Western and Chinese herbs, chiropractic and osteopathy, homeopathy, and acupuncture.
    Dr. Carsten has extensive formal training along with a wide range of clinical experience.  He holds the following college degrees:
  • Associate in Applied Science in Animal Health Technology (Veterinary Technology)
  • Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
  • Master of Science in Anatomy and Neurobiology
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Molecular Biology
Dr. Carsten is certified in the following areas:
  • Veterinary Acupuncture (IVAS)
  • Canine Rehabilitation Therapy (CRI)
Dr. Carsten has also attended professional development courses in Chinese Herbal Medicine - the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS); Homeopathy - the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy; Molecular Biology in Clinical Oncology - the American Association for Cancer Research; Comprehensive Pain Management for the Rehabilitation Patient - the University of Tennessee; Mechanisms of Pain - the University of California, San Diego; Cancer Prevention - the National Cancer Institute; and completed a certificate in Botanical Medicine - the Australian College of Phytotherapy.
    Dr. Carsten, has formulated whole food nutritional supplements for veterinarians, developed and taught accredited continuing education courses for veterinarians, and spoken at national and international veterinary conferences.