Dr. Julia Hahn
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Julia Hahn joined Carbondale Animal Hospital as an Associate Veterinarian in January 2025, bringing with her a unique blend of medical expertise, compassion, and adventurous spirit. Raised in rural New Jersey, Julia spent much of her childhood riding horses and exploring the woods surrounding the old brood mare farm behind her home. Her love for both athletics and academics led her to Cornell University, where she studied while playing field hockey and earning her undergraduate degree.
After graduation, Julia moved to Washington, D.C. and worked in fundraising and public relations at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Seven years later, seeking a more hands-on and service-oriented career, she made the decision to pursue veterinary medicine. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine before relocating to Colorado in search of mountain living and a return to a more rural, outdoor lifestyle. She found exactly what she was looking for at Carbondale Animal Hospital, where she now enjoys practicing alongside an exceptional team of colleagues.
Julia’s inspiration to enter the veterinary field began while shadowing a solo equine practitioner in Berkeley, California. Watching the veterinarian skillfully care for animals while balancing family life and other passions left a lasting impression. She was especially inspired by the veterinarian’s ability to advocate for animals while clearly and compassionately guiding their owners through complex medical situations. Today, Julia finds deep fulfillment in being a voice for animals who cannot speak for themselves and cherishes the quiet moments when a patient’s gratitude shines through.
As a self-described “extroverted introvert,” Julia appreciates that veterinary medicine allows her to connect deeply with both clients and colleagues while also providing opportunities for thoughtful reflection and continual learning. She values building personal relationships with pet owners, collaborating on cases, and supporting families during both joyful and difficult moments. Julia often says that animals have a remarkable ability to live fully in the present, something she strives to carry into her own life as well.
During veterinary school, Julia spent a summer traveling throughout the Dakotas in her 1978 VW bus with Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS), providing veterinary care to companion animals on Native American reservations. The experience strengthened her passion for community outreach and accessible veterinary care. Professionally, she has a special interest in geriatric medicine, osteoarthritis management, regenerative therapies, and challenging internal medicine cases. Having previously practiced mixed animal medicine, she often incorporates knowledge from large animal medicine into the care of her canine and feline patients.
Outside of the hospital, Julia enjoys life in the Roaring Fork Valley with her partner, their two young sons, an Australian Shepherd, and a tabby cat. Together, they enjoy gardening, collecting antiques, antlers, and animal bones, and dreaming of building a large year-round greenhouse. Julia also runs a vintage clothing pop-up called Abeline Vintage, which appears at local markets throughout the year. Whether she’s camping in her beloved 1978 VW Westfalia or spending
