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.

Ann Marie earned her applied associates in veterinary technology from Argosy University in 2000 and joined the SMAEC team November 2005 as a part-time CVT. Ann Marie has an elderly black cat named Mojo, who enjoys the leisurely life of a single cat in a household. In her spare time Ann Marie enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping, Zumba, and is always up for a good game of cards!

Anna  is a graduate of the Medical Institute of Minnesota. She has been a certified veterinary technician for over 19 years. Early in her career she worked in shelter medicine as well as day practices. She furthered her career when she found a passion for neurology working full time at the University of Minnesota. In 2011 she enhanced that passion by obtaining her specialty certification in Neurology by the AIMVT (Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians). She is 1 of only 2 neurology specialized technicians in the state of Minnesota and 1 of 17 in the nation.  She currently holds the position as President of the AIMVT. Anna has been a part time employee of South Metro Animal Emergency Care for the past 11 years. She enjoys the hustle and bustle of emergency medicine and is an essential asset to the SMAEC team. In her spare time Anna competes in Flyball with her 3 dogs, Bug (JRT), Beetle (GSP) and Bolt (BorderJack). She also enjoys spending time at her family’s cabin.

Beth has been with the SMAEC Team since May of 2016. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology at NDSU and attended Argosy to complete her A.A.S in Veterinary Technology. Beth loves the fast-paced environment of being a technician and the variety of tasks that must be performed with each patient. She enjoys making a positive difference in the lives of not only the animals but their owners. Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time with her family, reading, as well as camping and traveling. She shares her home with her Pug, “Zeus” and “Cuddles” her Domestic Shorthair.

Cassandra is a full-time CVT at SMAEC who earned her AAS degree in Veterinary Technology at Globe University. She has a passion for rescuing cats and kittens to keep her other two feline friends company, “Daphne Lynn” and “Clarabell Rose”. Cassandra would like to advance her skills and earn a veterinary technician specialty. Outside of SMAEC she enjoys spending quality time with her family.

Chelsea started working at SMAEC July of 2013 as a part-time Client Services representative. Upon earning her certification in veterinary technology she was hired on full-time as a CVT. Chelsea earned her applied associates in veterinary technology from Argosy University in 2013. She a Shih-Tzu/poodle named “Kenzie”, a flame point Siamese “Snowball”, DSH tabby named “Neville” and another DSH named “Weasley”. In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching movies, going to the dog park and trying to keep her crazy cats out of trouble.

Christa is a Certified Veterinary Technician that joined our team in 2016. She has an AAS in Veterinary Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota where she earned Dean’s List status. Christa is a National Society of Collegiate Scholars and has training in avian nursery medicine through the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. She enjoys riding and showing saddlebred horses. Her future goal is to become specialty certified in Emergency & Critical Care. She has an 8 year old domestic short hair kitty named Wicket.

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 certified CVT, VTS, (ECC, Clinical Practice – Canine/ Feline). 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 two cats, three rats, two mice, 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.

Kathy is a Technician who has completed her degree from Globe University in Veterinary Technology. She is on her way to taking the national examination to become a Certified Technician. Her passion is training her dog and any other animal she can find. She has several pets: Willa, an American Eskimo dog and two gerbils, Peba and Alaria.

Jessica joined the SMAEC team in 2017. She obtained her AAS degree as a Vet Tech from Medical Institute of Minnesota. Jessica enjoys radiology and surgery, and has a knack with aggressive canines. Her family loves to camp and 4-wheel for fun and shares their life with a Min Pin / Beagle mix named Rocky.

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!

Laurel started her veterinary career with an Internship at Medtronic followed by Residency at the U of M which led her to her love of emergency medicine and 11 years working there in ER/ICU. Laurel loves to teach, but genuinely loves to learn more! Laurel tends to like to do the clinic tasks that others don’t but her least favorite part of veterinary medicine are bugs and chocolate vomit! Laurel enjoys and excels at advanced procedures; for example multilumen catheter and Urinary Catheter placement are her favorite skills to do.
 Laurel joined the SMAEC family in December 2012 and was part of the TCABB team from 2013 to 2016; everyday enjoying the challenge! 
When not at work Laurel enjoys camping, crochet, sewing, reading, and photography. 
Laurel is owned by two cats Bella Gnocchi and Matilda Rose (we all know you don’t own cats, they own you!)

Noelle joined the SMAEC team part time in October 2011. Prior to her transition to the emergency side, she was a full time/part time CVT at a small animal daytime clinic in the metro area for 6 years. Noelle graduated from Argosy University in 2005 with an AAS degree. Noelle is happy to be at home at SMAEC. Her favorite slice of life in Emergency Medicine is inducing vomiting on those ‘naughty dogs’ who got into something they shouldn’t have. “It’s very rewarding to retrieve a child’s sock, chocolate chip cookies, or even mouse bait, before they become a serious issue”, Noelle says. She also excels at placing IV catheters and drawing blood. Noelle keeps herself extremely busy outside of her career as a CVT. She has 2 beautiful children and a wonderful husband. She also thrives as a Kickboxing Instructor for a studio in St. Paul. She enjoys keeping herself in shape as well as helping others reach their own fitness goals.

Rachel obtained her AAS Degree in Veterinary Technology at Argosy University as well as her BA in Biology from Hamline University. Rachel is extremely knowledgeable about dental health and pain management for your fuzzy friends. Her hobbies include swimming, diving and participating in triathlons. Rachel has been a member of the SMAEC family since August of 2016 and shares a home with her Boxer mix and four year old cat.

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.

Siera grew up loving animals but it took two years into her Bachelors Degree to realize she should be in Animal Science! She graduated with a BS in Animal Science and an AAS in Veterinary Technology in 2011 with certification following shortly thereafter.  Siera feels lucky to find something she is passionate about is privileged to be able to do it almost every day.  Siera has been involved in veterinary medicine in different capacities since 2004. Her other hobbies and passions include spending time with her new puppy, anything outdoors, crochet, and bodybuilding.

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.