Thanks to a multi-decade effort spearheaded by MVMA’s Veterinary Technician Committee, Minnesota has become the 42nd state to legally recognize veterinary technicians, a development that will bring positive changes to the profession.
Staff veterinarian Dr. Susie Garity, left, and Director of Animal Health Dr. Annie Rivas, right, in the animal hospital’s one treatment room.
Privately owned Allied Veterinary Emergency & Referral is relatively new to the scene but growing quickly, and its leadership has deep roots in the community. Initially established in Eau Claire, Wisc., just about a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, over the past five years Allied has expanded to include a total of five locations: Brooklyn Park, Eau Claire, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis, and Rochester.
Every Monday morning on school weeks, high school junior Brenda arrives at Mission Animal Hospital for a day of work and learning. She is one of four Cristo Rey students placed at Mission for the 2025–26 academic year. It’s the school’s first work-study opportunity in the veterinary field and one that is highly coveted by students.
By Dr. Al Balay, Chair, MVMA Veterinary Technician Committee
After many years of planning, meeting with constituents and legislators, and working with the Board of Veterinary Medicine, licensure of veterinary technicians is almost here.
Why are Easter and Mother’s Day two of the most dangerous holidays for cats? The answer is simple—lily poisoning. Exposure to common lilies such as Easter lilies, tiger lilies and stargazer lilies sicken and kill thousands of cats annually. What’s even more dangerous is that fewer than 30% of cat owners realize these common and seemingly “benign” lilies are fatal to our feline friends. That’s about to change. We want to make you aware of our educational campaign—‘No Lilies for Kitties!’
Drs. Jessica Fox, Tim Goldsmith, Jim Bennett, Ryan Dutton, Heather Damico, and Stephan Schaefbauer
On an October evening, Dr. Gib Mouser and his wife, Michelle, graciously welcomed me to their farm, which is home base for Dr. Mouser’s large animal mobile practice, Turtle River Veterinary.
Located about 15 miles north-northeast of Bemidji, Dr. Mouser—an equine and bovine vet—serves clients within a 150 mile radius, covering much of northern Minnesota. His work brings him north to locations along the Canadian border, as far south as the Brainerd area, west to the North Dakota border, and almost as far east as Duluth.
By Joanne Ehrmantraut, MSW, LICSW, Restorative Path Counseling & Wellbeing
Talk to Yourself Like You’re Someone You Like
By Dr. Al Balay, Chair, MVMA Veterinary Technician Committee
In this article we remind everyone of how to get ready for Veterinary Technician Licensure, share timelines and steps for current CVT application, and clarify a few key points. Please check the MVMA or MAVT websites for additional information including sample and template affidavits as well as updated Frequently Asked Questions and other resources.
At our 2026 Annual Conference, held Jan. 28–31 in Minneapolis, MVMA recognized the recipients of our 2025 Veterinary Awards and inductees into the Animal Hall of Fame. Nine Minnesota veterinary professionals were honored, and three animals received awards in the categories Hero, Companion, and Professional.
Three Minnesota Dogs Inducted into MVMA’s Animal Hall of Fame
One of the most powerful ways a state veterinary medical association serves its members and the profession is through advocacy at the state legislature. MVMA’s advocacy work is shepherded by our Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC), made up of members who gather twice a year to discuss issues and legislation impacting the profession and set priorities that inform its work.
By Michael Salchert and Alison Jarzyna, Attorneys at Larkin Hoffman
In the digital age, the ease of accessing and sharing content online has led to an increase in copyright infringement cases. Recently, an MVMA member veterinarian reached out to our firm, as a Supporting Member of MVMA, for a free consultation regarding a copyright infringement claim. The story below highlights the importance of understanding copyright laws and the potential liabilities that come with using online content.
Since 2022, MVMA has offered a program that connects our members with a mental health professional who is deeply knowledgeable about the veterinary profession.
Dr. Natalie Lucca (second from right) and her team: Alisia (CSR, left), Raelynn (technician, holding Russian tortoise patient), and Aaron (practice manager, right).
On a Friday afternoon in September, I made my way to Rochester to pay a visit to Dr. Natalie Lucca and her staff at Homeward Bound Animal Clinic, which opened its doors in April 2024.
Dr. Kyle Adkins (second from left) with his team.
At the end of a gravel road, in Crow Wing County’s Pine City, sits Country Doc Veterinary Clinic. You can’t miss the turn off of Paul Bunyan’s Scenic Byway, with towering pine trees and a welcoming sign that reads:
Director of Operations Tania Blake, second from left, and Dr. William Frahm-Gilles, far right, with members of the Access Veterinary Care team in June 2025.
Established in 2018, Access Veterinary Care has carved out a unique space in veterinary care in the Twin Cities. Access’s business model is helping bridge a gap in services and finding ways to make veterinary care more accessible. I recently visited the clinic, located in Crystal, MN, and spoke with owner Dr. William Frahm-Gilles and Director of Operations Tania Blake about how Access’ collaborative, community-minded model with a focus on education, transparency, and accessibility is making a difference for clients, patients, and partner clinics in the Twin Cities.
At left, Dr. Mary Olson speaks to the gathered crowd as a sheep goes into labor. At right, Dr. Nancy Peterson coaches a rotation student through delivering her first lamb.
Sitting down for a conversation with several current and former co-chairs of MVMA’s Miracle of Birth Center (MOBC) committee, it was apparent they share a bond born of working closely together over the course of many years. Currently a team of seven, made up of Drs. Mary Olson, Holly Neaton, Nancy Peterson, Kevin Haroldson, Katherine Pjevach, Marjorie Schleper, and Michaela Olson, these super volunteers are the driving forces behind the Miracle of Birth Center at the Minnesota State Fair. Recently retired from their co-chair roles, Drs. Florian Ledermann (who first advocated for opening a birthing center at the fair) and Dave Wright have also been instrumental in making the MOBC happen nearly every summer since 2001.
An American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) policy on biosecurity was recently adopted thanks to the leadership of Dr. Scott Dee, Minnesota’s Alt Delegate to the AVMA. This novel policy has significant potential to expand awareness of effective, evidence-based biosecurity protocols originally developed for the swine industry—and pave the way for their application in other species. His work on this issue couldn’t be more timely, given the threat posed by avian influenza and other emerging diseases.
A swine veterinarian and microbiologist, Dr. Dee has made a significant impact on the swine industry over the course of his career in industry, academia, and applied research. Recently retired, he became Minnesota’s Alternate Delegate to the AVMA last year, and he is now bringing his passion and expertise to the AVMA and working to broaden the impact of his research.
Dr. Travis Anderson, left, moderates at the Surgery Suite. At right, lead CVT Shelley Cravens and Dr. Krista Walkowiak pose with a patient inside the Surgery Suite.
Each summer, more than 100 volunteers educate the public about veterinary medicine while performing a total of 48 live spay/neuter surgeries at MVMA’s Surgery Suite exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair.
About Us
© Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
101 Bridgepoint Way, Suite 100, So. St. Paul, MN 55075
Phone (651) 645-7533
[email protected]
Fax (651) 645-7539
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