Veterinarian cares for dying dog for free after woman brings him to mobile clinic

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – After seeing KRDO 13's morning coverage on The Pet Cross, a woman rushed an injured dog to the mobile vet clinic for help.

"Nobody was helping, so somebody had to step up and help this dog," said Bridget Spangler, who picked up the dog, Koda, after seeing a Facebook post and brought him to The Pet Cross.

Twice a month, Dr. Lisa Thompson loads up her 20-year-old "vet truck," drives 50 miles to Colorado Springs, and donates her time, supplies, and expertise to pet owners like Montz and their animals. All vet expenses are free.

"I don't want them to imagine life without it. I want to help them keep their pets in their life," Dr. Thompson said.

“You have guilt, and you want to do the right thing," said client and volunteer Kimberly Bolding, who started bringing her service animal to Thompson a few years ago. "As a responsible pet owner, I don’t know if I could keep him, and that idea brings tears to my eyes. I can't imagine being without him."

Dr. Thompson is true to her Non-profit's slogan, "Every Pet needs a Vet." It's why she founded The Pet Cross six years ago.

That's when Thompson and her husband flew to Texas and bought her mobile vet clinic. She drove it back the same day and went to work helping pet owners who can't afford to take care of their animals. Now, she needs a little help.

"I think this dog actually has a chance now," Spangler said about Koda after bringing him to Dr. Thompson.

Dr. Thompson said she provides most of the medical supplies out of her own pocket but relies on donations for pet food, collars and other pet clothing that she gives away. She said she's shorthanded on both volunteers and donations. Click here if you would like to help.

She said her appointments started booking up 10 weeks in advance, so she had to move to walk-ins only. She said she needs more volunteers and donations to keep up with the increasing lines.

Thompson hosts her last two clinics of the year today and on Dec. 31 in front of the Marian House food pantry off of W Bijou. In 2026, she is moving her clinic to America the Beautiful Park. Barring holiday or weather conflicts, she drives down the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. She posts clinic updates on Facebook.

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