Our Team – Veterinary Technicians

Amanda is Technician who has been with SMAEC since July of 2016. In 2010 she graduated with honors in Veterinary Technology at the Minnesota School of Business and has become a Certified Veterinary Technician. As of April 2015, was certified as a canine massage therapist. Amanda has been fostering since 2008 in hopes of rescuing and reducing over- population as much as possible. She has also been on the Board of Directors for Last Hope Animal Rescue. Amanda has opened up her home to many dogs and cats over the years of fostering but has several cats and a rabbit of her own.

Alasia has been with our clinic since 2017.  She has been a veterinary technician since 2010.  Alasia is originally from northern Minnesota, but has decided that she prefers the fast-paced city life.  She loves the challenges of emergency medicine and being there for pets and their owners during difficult times.  In her free time, she spends time with her Cocker spaniel, Remington, and exploring new dog-friendly places around the metro area.

Derek is a Certified Veterinary Technician that joined our team in 2016. He has an AAS degree in Veterinary Technology and has a passion for pet Rehabilitation. Derek is also an independent contractor for pet sitting where he specializes in caring for pets with special needs. His future goal is to expand his technical abilities and educate clients. His own dog, Ivy is a 4 year old Yorkie.

Heather has been with our SMAEC team since February of 2016. She holds an AAS degree from Ridgewater College, and is also a CVT, VTS, (ECC, CP – C/F). She is Fear Free, RECOVER CPR, and Compassion Understood certified.  As the Education Coordinator, she makes sure our medical team is trained for any situation they may face in emergency medicine. She also is responsible for encouraging the continued education of our team! Heather has a passion for pain management and hopes to become pain practitioner certified within the next few years. At home she has one cat and two chinchillas.

Jen joined the SMAEC family in 2002 and has worked full-time with SMAEC since 2003. She has also provided relief work at a variety of general practice and other Emergency and Critical care facilities in the metro area. Jen was the Operations Supervisor at SMAEC from the fall of 2011 to May 2016, and has been one of the coordinators with the Twin Cities Animal Blood Bank since 2005. She possess a strong passion for emergency medicine and takes special interest in feline medicine, metabolic emergencies, nutrition in the critically ill, fluid therapy, and transfusion medicine. Despite her love of emergency medicine, Jen took a full time position with the University of Minnesota Veterinary Referral Center in May 2016 and remains on the SMAEC ER relief roster. Although work keeps Jen quite busy, she has a variety of interests that help her balance the work load. Some of her favorite activities outside of work include volunteering, yoga, and exploring Minnesota’s beautiful running and biking trails. She also enjoys watching & attending football, baseball & hockey games, local theater and live music events / festivals. Jen shares her home with her cats Fortunato & Charlie and is the proud “kitty mom” of SMAEC’s former Clinic cat Abbey.

Kristen joined the SMAEC team in 2016. She earned an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology from Argosy University and a Bachelors Degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota. Kristen has a big heart and loves both people and pets. Her animal passions include animal therapy for people with special needs, wildlife rehabilitation, and exotic animal rescuing. Kristen also has her pilot’s license and still tries to fly when she has time. Her future goals are to obtain a dual Masters Degree in Law and Social Work. Kristen shares her home with 3 dogs: Tiki & Daphne are German Shepherds and Bitsy is a Cattle Dog. She also has 3 Macaws (Iago, Marley, Kiwi,) 2 Conures (Luca & Pippa,) PLUS, chickens, ducks, reptiles, a tortoise, and salt water fish!

Megan joined the SMAEC team in 2017. She has an A.A.S in Veterinary Technology from Argosy University. She has always worked in trauma, emergency and critical care and can’t imagine doing anything else! She loves the fast pace and taking care of patients as well as their owners in difficult times. One day, Megan hopes to earn her veterinary specialty in Emergency & Critical Care. When she isn’t caring for patients, Megan and her husband enjoy going to concerts and spending time with their kids. Her non-human family includes a Chiweenie named Guillermo, a Min Pin Mix named Doug, a teacup Chihuahua named Trixie and a fish named Cinderella.

Rachel obtained her Bachelors in Biology from CSU Dominguez Hills and then went on to complete her Masters in Biology. She is a current student at the University of Minnesota Vet School and her special animal passion is with marine mammals. She also volunteers at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and has volunteered with marine mammals as well. She has 3 cats: Indy, Ratatouille, and Sid Vicious, 2 Greyhounds: Bean & Billy, a Green Iguana named Bob, and 2 Conures: Kiwi and Pepper.

Tonya joined the SMAEC team in 2017 while pursuing a DVM at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a Bachelors of Science in Zoology and holds a certificate in Light/Laser Therapy. Tonya is very interested in Dental Preventative care. One interesting fact about Tonya is that she used to play Roller Derby! She shares her life with a cat named JuJuBee; a 7 year old domestic short hair.

Vanessa joined our SMAEC team in 2017 and she has been a great addition! Vanessa holds an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology from Globe University and a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin. She is a Certified Veterinary Technician and is also Fear Free Certified. Vanessa loves horses and would like to have one of her own, currently she shares her life with Toby the pug.

Wendi started at SMAEC in 2000 and absolutely loves working here!. Over her several years as a member of the SMAEC team, she has taken on many surrenders and stray animals and helped to place them in new homes. She takes pride in balancing her 4 children and work life. Wendi loves the outdoors and nature, although with such a busy schedule she doesn’t get out to explore it nearly enough. In Wendi’s spare time she also enjoys swimming and kickboxing to stay active and strong. Her special interests in veterinary medicine include transfusion medicine, cytology, and anesthesia/surgery. It is also a career goal of Wendi’s to obtain her VTS in Emergency & Critical Care.