Dr. Rainey Corbyn
Dr. Corbyn first became involved with Veterinary medicine in 1972. At that time he worked for the prestigious Littleton Large Animal Clinic. His major responsibility was as the anesthetist in the only private equine practice doing race horse surgery in Colorado. Dr. Corbyn returned to College and graduated in 1974 with A BA degree in Biology from the Colorado College. After teaching Biology at CC for a year, he decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
Before entering veterinary school Dr. Corbyn worked for two other veterinary practices in Colorado and Montana. He earned his doctorate in Veterinary medicine from Colorado State University in 1982. In 1988 he bought South Mesa Veterinary Hospital, at the time a small one veterinarian practice. Run as a family business, by 1992, through dedication to quality medicine and surgery, and commitment to the highest level of service for clients, South Mesa had grown to the point Dr. Corbyn needed to expand. He built the current facility in 1992, and by 1994, South Mesa had grown to a three veterinarian practice.
Dr. Corbyn enjoys mentoring dedicated employees. He takes pride in the fact over the years he has established a work environment that has allowed many employees the opportunity to grow in the profession, from kennel and tech positions to become well respected veterinarians. Through Dr. Corbyn's efforts, South Mesa was one of the first and remains one of the few private veterinary practices in Fort Collins that affords employees health insurance and a 401retirement plan.
Dr. Corbyn's greatest interests are performing surgery, working with clients bringing new puppies into their homes, and maintaining relationships over the years with pets and their families.
Recognizing the importance of the puppy's early experiences in developing a solid human animal bond, Dr. Corbyn has always encouraged clients to participate in puppy training classes. In 2005, because of the need for quality training and daycare, Dr. Corbyn conceived, designed, and built the latest addition to South Mesa, Come Play Stay.
Dr. Greg Burns
An Arizona native, Dr. Greg Burns attended Arizona State University and graduated Cum Laude in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology. Following his undergraduate studies, he was awarded his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 1996.
Dr. Burns entered private practice in Phoenix, Arizona and received special training in canine reproduction at an International Canine Genetics certified facility. He returned to Colorado in 2000 to offer reproductive services at South Mesa Veterinary Hospital. At South Mesa, he established an international canine semen freezing and storage facility. In 2005, Dr. Burns was accepted into the mentorship program through the American College of Theriogenologists. Also in 2005, he was called on to assist teaching Theriogenology (animal reproduction) to veterinary students at Colorado State University, which he continues today. In 2006, he worked with XY Inc. in a joint research effort to sort canine semen resulting in the worlds first canine offspring born using sorted semen. This project was subsequently presented to the International Embryo Transfer Society in December 2007.
Dr. Burns received Diplomate status in the American College of Theriogenologists in 2009, making him a veterinary specialist in animal reproduction of all species. His special areas of interest include canine dystocia and advanced reproductive technologies.
When not spending time with his twins, (Alex and Hannah), Dr. Burns enjoys golf, biking and hiking.
Dr. Jana Dean
A native of Fort Collins, Dr. Jana Dean graduated from Colorado State University in 1992 with a Bachelors Degree in Biology. She went on to receive her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1996 from C.S.U.
She practiced in Scottsdale, Arizona for four years before returning to Fort Collins with her husband and partner at South Mesa, Dr. Greg Burns. Their family expanded in 2003 with the birth of their twins, Alex and Hannah. Since that time, she has focused on practice management at South Mesa.
Her professional interests include feline medicine and endocrinology, and practice management. Her hobbies include spending time with her family and enjoying all forms of outdoor recreation, including golfing, biking, and gardening.
Dr. Patti Helper
Born in Champaign, Illinois, Dr. Patti Helper attended the U of I and was awarded her Bachelors Degree in Biology in 1980 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. A part time staff veterinarian at South Mesa since 1992, her professional interests include internal medicine and ophthalmology. Away from her veterinary duties she is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ft. Collins.
Dr. Helper is married to Dr. Tony Frank who is in the administration at Colorado State University. They have three children, Megan, Hannah, and Jenny.
During her leisure time, Dr. Helper enjoys skiing, hiking, tennis, racquetball, and reading.
Dr. Naomi Hoyer
An Associate Veterinarian at South Mesa Veterinary hospital since 2006, Dr. Naomi Hoyer's relationship with the hospital actually extends back to 1997 when, fresh from graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology from Mount Holyoke College, she worked for the hospital as a technician, a receptionist and a kennel worker. Originally from the Aurora area, Dr. Hoyer earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Studies at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 and then moved to Sacramento, California where she worked as a horse, dog and cat veterinarian. In 2005, her range of care expanded to small animals, and her professional interests now include dentistry, soft tissue surgery and ultrasound.
Dr. Hoyer's hobbies include kayaking, hiking and traveling. When at home, she is kept company by her cat Marmalade, a long-haired orange tabby, and Roo, a black Labrador mix.
Dr. Bronwen Foster
Dr. Bronwen Foster has cared for companion animals at South Mesa as a general practitioner since January 2007. A native of Windsor, Colorado, Dr. Foster attended the University of San Diego and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology in 1994. She continued her education at Colorado State University-College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. She also received the “Gentle Doctor Award” for large animal medicine upon graduating. Dr. Foster’s professional interests include feline medicine, dentistry and surgery, internal medicine in all species, alternative/adjunctive therapies, and soft tissue surgery.
Dr. Foster is an active member of the Larimer County Veterinary Medical Association and also volunteers her time as a surgeon for VIDAS, an international association of veterinarians that provide veterinary services and education in countries of need. Dr. Foster’s personal interests include: spending time with her daughter, Hansen, yoga and meditation, cooking, skiing, hiking, travel, being in the mountains and any outdoor activity.
Dr. Susan Plaza
Originally from Pennsylvania, Dr. Plaza has lived in Colorado for 21 years. She graduated from Duke University in 1978 with degrees in zoology in physiological psychology. She graduated from Colorado State University in 1996 with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and began practicing small animal medicine. She has developed special interests in oncology, internal medicine, puppy behavior, and senior care.
In her spare time, she volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and has worked with therapy dogs. She also enjoys running, hiking, music, nature photography, traveling, and spending time with her twin boys. Her pets include Maggie, an Australian Shepherd, Rumble, a Golden Retriever mix, and a Maine Coon cat named Frazier.
Dr. Gina Singleton
Dr. Singleton is a 2008 graduate from Colorado State University’s Veterinary School, where she also received her Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology in 2004. Prior to veterinary school, she practiced as a Certified Veterinary Technician for 19 years at numerous practices in Virginia, Massachusetts and Colorado, several of which specialized in exotics and wildlife. She has had a long, close relationship with South Mesa, having worked here as a vet tech, receptionist and kennel assistant for eight years before and during veterinary school. Upon graduation from vet school, she worked as a general practitioner in Brighton and Wellington, and then happily returned to South Mesa in March 2011.
Dr. Singleton’s professional interests include internal medicine, pain management, geriatrics and caring for small mammals- especially ferrets! Having owned ferrets from a young age, she understands how their intelligent and curious nature makes them both a handful and irresistible at the same time. Dr. Singleton has two little boys, therefore reducing her free time, but when she does she loves to ski, visit the ocean, make movies, and listen to music.
Joey L. Sneva, DVM
Dr. Joey Sneva was born in Spokane, WA and her family moved to Phoenix, AZ when she was 10. All the while, they spent summers based in Indianapolis, IN, traveling the Indy Car racing circuit -- a very interesting way to grow up! She earned her bachelor's degree in wildlife biology at the University of Arizona in 1994. She worked for the U.S. Forest Service and Arizona Game and Fish for 4 years prior to attending vet school. She studied Northern Goshawks and worked on the Black Footed Ferret reintroduction project in northern Arizona. Dr. Sneva attended Colorado State University's Professional Veterinary Medical Program and earned her DVM in 2002. She has practiced in Northern Colorado since graduation. She started working at South Mesa Veterinary Hospital in July, 2011 and is so happy to be a part of this compassionate and extremely professional health care team! Dr. Sneva currently lives in Fort Collins with her boyfriend Jason, their 2 dogs (Sam and Parker), 4 cats (George, Alice, Salsa and Jimmie) and 2 cockatiels (Larry Bird and Big Bird). She boards her horses (Indy and Kandinsky) at a barn in Wellington. She boards her horse Kadinsky at a barn in Wellington. In her spare time she enjoys riding, pilates/yoga/spin, hiking, bird watching, and cooking.
