Get To Know Our Team

Journey Home is dedicated to providing the same exceptional care for your pet family at the end of life as you have provided to them during your shared time together.

A woman sitting on the ground outside with a brown dog and a black cat, all smiling.

Dr. Stephanie Kotas

Veterinarian and Owner, Journey Home Veterinary Services

Dr. Stephanie Kotas, owner and principal veterinarian of Journey Home Vet, was born and raised in Colorado and is proud to raise her family in her home state. She was the kid who always answered, “A vet!” when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She graduated from Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009, and her passion for veterinary medicine continues to grow. Certified in Hospice and Palliative Care and Veterinary Acupuncture, Dr. Stephanie started working as a home euthanasia practitioner after losing her beloved heart kitty, Rogue, and used a similar home euthanasia service during their time of need. She strives to provide exceptional, loving, compassionate service to all her patients and their human families. She looks forward to providing families quality time with their pets guided by hospice and palliative care, acupuncture, and Quality of Life Consultations.

Stephanie’s furry family includes a very handsome hound mix, Griswold; a smart, silly Standard Poodle, Annie; a shy, handsome tuxedo cat named Tuna; and a sweet-as-pie but not-so-smart black cat named Dave. In her free time, her hobbies include creating cakes for friends and local charities, running half marathons very slowly, laughing at cat videos, reading, cooking, hiking, and trying to keep up with her three daughters and husband (and, occasionally, sneaking in a nap).

A woman with red hair smiles and hugs two dogs, one with a brown and white coat and the other with a cream-colored coat, indoors.

Cindy Baxa

Client Care Specialist

Cindy Baxa started with Journey Home shortly after Dr. Stephanie came to care for her Chocolate Lab heart dog in her final moments. Always an animal lover, she knew from the age of 6 when she received a puppy for Christmas that she was bound to care for furry creatures. Cindy’s duties encompass all things behind the scenes so Dr. Stephanie can focus all her energy on the best veterinary medicine plans for her patients. She is devoted to compassion and understanding for all the pet parents and patients in her care.

In her personal time, Cindy loves to read, watch movies, enjoy good wines, and practice yoga. But the most joy comes from spending quality time with her two rescue pups, Scully, a goofy Pit/Boxer mix, and Peyton, an excellent senior Yellow Lab boy.