Dr. Chris Horstman is the founder and Chief of Staff for Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center. He was born in Creighton, Nebraska (northeastern Nebraska). His love for animals began at an early age; during visits to his family’s farms.
Dr. Chris Horstman is the owner and Chief of Staff for the Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center. Dr. Horstman was born in Creighton, Nebraska (northeastern Nebraska). His love for animals began at an early age; during visits to his family’s farms. Time spent working with his cousins, aunts, and uncles with the cattle, pigs, and sheep helped solidify his desire to pursue veterinary education. He graduated high school from Cozad, Nebraska before heading to Doane College in Crete, Nebraska. While at Doane, he worked closely with the faculty to add classes which were required as prerequisites for veterinary school.
Training
He attended and graduated from Kansas State University in May 2000. While in veterinary school he became intrigued with veterinary surgery. His confidence and calm behavior while in the surgical suite led him to pursue advanced training in small animal surgery. After leaving Kansas State University he moved to Athens, Georgia where he completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia. During this year he honed his skills in surgery, medicine, emergency care, anesthesia, radiology, and other aspects of veterinary services. In the summer of 2001 he moved to Houston, Texas. Here he focused directly on surgery while completing a surgical internship at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (one of the premier veterinary specialty hospitals in America). In July 2002 he joined the staff at Iowa State University as an orthopedic research fellow. During his fellowship he worked on numerous projects; some of which were funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH). He also completed several publications and wrote a variety of research grants. He started his small animal surgical residency at Mississippi State University in 2003. Here he refined his surgical skills, completed the requirements for board certification, and obtained a Master’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine while writing a thesis on the use of radiofrequency in animal joints.
Development
After completing his residency, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. He joined the Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center (LVVSC) as a staff surgeon in 2006. He acquired board certification and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS) in 2007. While at LVVSC he helped expand the facility from three surgeons and a handful of staff to a large, multi-specialty center with 15 specialists, four residents, three interns, two emergency clinics, and approximately 125 staff members. During the past nine years he also helped develop and manage the surgical internship and residency programs. In 2014 he completed an MBA through the University of Phoenix.
Coming Home
Dr. Horstman is extremely happy to be moving home to spend time with his family and bring specialty pet care to the greater Omaha area. He is even more excited to introduce his wife (Jessica), two sons (Charley and Samuel), and two dogs (Amelia and Cholo) to life in Nebraska. He is eager to work with Five Elements Veterinary Alternatives, local veterinarians, and you while providing advanced orthopedic and rehabilitation services to your pets.
