Our Team

Dr. Jennifer Shepherd

Dr. Christine Wickenheiser

Dr. Leah Gustafson-Towers

Bekah

Ashley

Sadie

Abigail

Megan

Jenika

Michelle

Kim

Dottie

Dr. Jennifer Shepherd

Veterinarian

Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology from UND, Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University.

Family + Pets: Husband Paul, three children Alexa, Andrew, and Tyler. 2 dogs; Apollo the Portuguese water dog, and Rey the little mutt from the street of Texas; One goldfish named Pluto.

My favorite thing about working at CAH: watching my patients come in as puppies or kittens and follow them through their entire lives

Secret non-veterinary talent: making fun birthday cakes

Favorite animal Quote: “Dogs lives are too short. It’s their only fault, really”.

Favorite thing to do with your pet: trail running through the woods

Dr. Christine Wickenheiser

Veterinarian

Education: Biology degree at Moorhead State University, Doctor of Veterinary medicine at University of MN St. Paul.

Family + Pets: Husband (Brian), Son (Wyatt), Daughter (Addie), 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 llamas

Favorite thing about working at CAH: Coworkers finding humor in stressful situations

Spirit animal: Manatee

Favorite breed of dog: Irish Wolfhound

Favorite thing to do with your pet: Hiking

Dr. Leah Gustafson-Towers

Veterinarian

Education: University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, graduated in 2007.

Family + Pets: Husband (Joel) and Son (Gabe) with an ever evolving household of fur babies: Bad News Bob (amputee cat), Johnnie the Man in Black (rescued cat), Ugly Betty (Pug/shih Tzu/Gremlin), and most recently Gary Sockwell (sock-eating Doberman). I will always be a horse owner: Only
have 3 currently (Cadence, Mabel, and Leo) with their pasture mates, two mini donkey's, Olive and Lucy.

Favorite thing about working at CAH: The Talented and Cohesive team!

If I'm not at work, I am probably: mountain biking with my family and competitive team or riding (also skijoring) with my horses! I spend time hunting upland birds and deer as well. I'm a GSP fan! There is always time to adventure.

Bekah

Certified Veterinary Technician

Family + Pets: Husband and daughter; 2 dogs, 1 guinea pig, and 6 chickens

Secret veterinary talent: Venipuncture on long-haired dogs

If I could invent something that would make my life easier, It would be: scrubs with built-in knee pads

Favorite breed of dog: Brittany Spaniels and Beagles

Favorite thing to do with your pet: Hike

Ashley

Certified Veterinary Technician

Family + Pets: Husband, daughter, dog (Alaskan Klee Kai), cat, and a bearded dragon

Favorite animal: white tiger

When work gets stressful, I tend to: play jokes/pranks on my coworkers

Favorite breed of dog: Cats

Favorite thing to do with your pet: Hike

Sadie

Certified Veterinary Technician

Family + Pets: Husband, a daughter, and a dog

Favorite animal: Penguin

If I am not at work, I am probably: with my family or working out.

Favorite breed of dog: Pitbull and black lab

Favorite coffee drink: Cold brew with almond milk and dark chocolate

Abigail

Certified Veterinary Technician

Family + Pets: Parents, 11 siblings, 1 nephew, 1 dog (Pikku), 2 cats (Hamilton and Jake), and a small herd of Scottish Highlanders.

If I am not at work, I am probably: Hanging out with my siblings or nephew.

Favorite breed of dog: Golden Retriever

Favorite coffee drink: Plain hot latte

Favorite thing to do with your pet: Go for a walk or play field hockey

Megan

Office Manager, Receptionist, and Assistant

Family + Pets: Husband Jeff, Daughters Annalise & Claira, Son Joseph, Dog Hazel, and Cat Rosie.

Favorite animal: Wolf

If I am not at work, I am probably: at one of my kids sporting events

Favorite coffee drink: Chai Tea Latte

Favorite thing to do with your pet: to go cruising on our boat

Favorite animal theme movie: The jungle book

Jenika

Receptionist

Family + Pets: Husband (Kaylor) and dog (Bandit)

Favorite animal: River Otter

If I am not at work, I am probably: In the bubble bath reading a good book

Favorite thing to do with your pet: Snuggle

Favorite coffee drink: Vanilla Breve

Michelle

Family + pets: Son (Gaige), Daughters (Sadie and Ember), Dog (Sven), and Cats (Dwight and Pam)

If I am not working, I am probably: doing home improvement projects.

Favorite coffee drink: Chai Tea

Favorite things to do with your pets: hiking and runs with Sven

Kim

Family + Pets: Husband (Mike), 5 kids (Paxson, Ava, Carys, Easton and Gemma), 1 Dog (Kevin), 3 Fish (Nunu, Ferny, Freddie)

Favorite animals: Dogs and Horses

Favorite thing about being a Veterinary Technician: I love working with your pet to make them feel comfortable in potentially stressful situations. Gaining the trust from your pet is the most heartwarming feeling and something that I embrace wholeheartedly.

If I am not at work, I am probably: In a hockey rink, in the woods with Kevin or in a barn somewhere.

Favorite breed of dog: Pitbull mix

Favorite coffee drink: Campfire Mocha

Dottie

Failed clinic greeter turned team supervisor

Family + Pets: My work family

Secret veterinary talent: Keeping chairs warm for my team members

Secret non-veterinary talent: giving the team judgmental stares as we work

If I could describe CAH in one word, It would be: home

If I could have one superpower it would be: performing surgery