Backroads Veterinary Care, LLC

Degrees and Certifications

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, 2002
• Residency in Field Service, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, 1988-90
• M.S. in Herd Medicine (Epidemiology), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, 1988-90
• Internship in Ambulatory Medicine of Farm Animals, Cornell University, 1987-88
• D.V.M., Colorado State University, 1987
• B.S. with distinction in Biology, University of New Mexico, 1983 (Go Lobos!)
• A.S. in Allied Health, University of Albuquerque, 1978

Biography

Backroads Veterinary Care was formed in February, 2009 following my return to New Mexico after an 18 year career in practice, teaching, and regulatory medicine in California.  After completing my internship and residency in the on-farm care of large animals, I worked as clinical veterinarian and acting clinical director at the Stanford University Dept. of Comparative Medicine prior to accepting an Associate Professorship at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, CA.  There I enjoyed teaching and caring for campus dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. I then joined the Animal Health Division's Emergency Program in the CA Dept. of Food and Agriculture and was involved in the planning for, and response to, animal disease outbreaks and disasters.  After working in the Southern California Exotic Newcastle disease outbreak in poultry, the foot and mouth disease outbreak in cattle and sheep in the U.K., and the recovery following Hurricane Floyd, I returned to teaching and private practice - and to New Mexico.  In addition to opening a mobile practice, I teach part-time at the CNM Veterinary Technology program in Albuquerque.

My veterinary career has been diverse yet focused on preventing and eliminating disease and suffering in animals of all species and passing my passion for learning on to others. 

I am proud to provide veterinary care to the following non-profit organizations:

• Sheep and Goat Sanctuary - Rescuing unwanted sheep and goats http://www.sheepsanctuary.org
  

• GreyHome - Rescue of retired racing greyhounds http://www.greyhome.org

• Dew Paws Rescue - Rescuing abandoned dogs from New Mexican shelters http://www.dewpaws.org

• Ecoversity - is an educational center which explores and demonstrates concepts of sustainable living, ecological design, and responsibility for the wise stewardship of the Earth and houses farm animals for community outreach. http://www.ecoversity.org

• Cochiti 4H Trailblazers - dedicated to improving the lives of our young people by using equine facilitated learning http://cochitipueblo4H.com
• International Gay Rodeo Association - Dr. Hamlen provided veterinary services to the IGRA Rodeo in Albuquerque, Oct, 2009 and sponsored an event buckle.  http://www.igra.com/