05/11/2026
Help us Welcome Dr. Holden Sakala !
Dr. Holden Sakala will be joining the Foster Animal Hosital team in the beinging of July.
Originally from Fort Collins, CO, Dr. Holden Sakala (by most accounts) took a very circuitous route to veterinary medicine. Growing up in and around the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, he was always captivated by his numerous interactions with wildlife and felt a deep connection with the diverse mountain ecosystems, both of which sparked an early love for veterinary medicine. Although he always knew he’d never stray too far from an ultimate pursuit in veterinary medicine, a long-standing passion for athletics and sports medicine would guide his next steps. This initially led him to complete his undergraduate studies in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado – Boulder in 2015, where he developed a love for exercise physiology and rehabilitation sciences. After concluding his time in Boulder, he accepted admission into the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh where he went on to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2019.
After graduating from physical therapy school, Dr. Sakala went on to practice physical therapy for three years in a variety of outpatient settings across Ohio and Colorado. While he greatly enjoyed the connections and relationships he formed with his physical therapy clients and colleagues, his mind continuously wondered to his original dreams of veterinary medicine. Knowing he would never shake the itch, he began exploring opportunities to bridge the gap between his physical therapy and veterinary careers. This started by completing additional training to become a certified canine rehabilitation therapist (CCRT), which he then carried into a 9-month internship in canine rehab in the physical therapy department at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Shortly thereafter, officially hooked on veterinary medicine, Dr. Sakala gained admission at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine where he would go on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
Dr. Sakala joins Foster Animal Hospital with an enthusiasm for soft tissue surgery, orthopedics, and small animal rehab. When not in clinic, you can find him searching for tall peaks to hike with his wife and their spirited Lab/Cattle Dog Mix, Crew; golfing (poorly); attempting to play the piano; and vehemently supporting his beloved Colorado sports franchises.
