Paths & Paws
Jen Coates
Chief Veterinary Consultant
Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, serves as Chief Veterinary Consultant at Paths & Paws, bringing over 25 years of clinical experience to every health and nutrition article on the site. She graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and has practiced in Colorado's Front Range for most of her career.
Jen's philosophy centers on the "full life cycle" of the hiking dog—from conditioning puppies for their first trails to helping senior dogs enjoy their golden years on gentler paths. She believes in evidence-based wellness that balances scientific research with practical field application.
Her clinical background includes emergency medicine, internal medicine, and a special focus on sports medicine for active dogs. She's treated everything from altitude sickness to torn paw pads, giving her unique insight into the medical challenges trail dogs face.
At Paths & Paws, Jen reviews all health-related content for accuracy and develops our nutrition and wellness guidelines. Her goal is to translate complex veterinary concepts into clear, actionable advice that helps dogs thrive on the trail.
Trail Companion: Cedar
Golden Retriever · Cedar, a 12-year-old Golden, proves that with proper care, senior dogs can still enjoy moderate trails well into their golden years.