DOCTORS

Dr Julie Berndt

Originally from Davenport, Iowa, Dr. Berndt has been with MVPH since graduating from Iowa State University in 1987. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two grown children, traveling, and relaxing at the lake. She and her husband keep busy at their hobby farm with two horses, some beef cows, a dog [German Short-haired Pointer] and four cats.

Dr Ken Ambrose

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Ambrose is a 1991 graduate of Iowa State University. After a short time in Milwaukee, he has been at MVPH since January 1992. His special interest is surgery and managing orthopedic conditions and fractures. He has five children [only 1 at home yet] and two dogs; Maisy (Brittany cross, stray) and LolaKato (Boarder Terrier).

Dr Leah Renne

Dr. Renne grew up in Southwest Missouri, but quickly fell in love with Southern Minnesota while attending Gustavus Adolphus College. She received her DVM from the University of Minnesota, and practiced in La Crosse, Wisconsin before moving back to the Mankato area. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, running and hiking, and singing in a local chamber choir. She lives just outside Mankato with her husband, two sons, a rescued Lab-Basset mix, and an assortment of chickens.

Dr Cary Adams

Dr. Adams is a native of Mason City, Iowa. He attended Iowa State University where he earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and D.V.M. degrees. After graduating from college, he spent a year in Virginia where he completed an internship in wildlife medicine and surgery at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Dr. Adams worked in a small animal practice in Las Vegas, NV from 2005 to 2010 before moving to Mankato. His interests include small and exotic animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Adams shares his home with one dog, a whippet, and a corn snake. In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his children.

 Dr Sara Schwartz

Dr. Sara Schwartz grew up on a farm near Crookston, MN. She received her B.S. from South Dakota State University in Brookings and completed her DVM at the University of Minnesota. In her free time she enjoys camping, gardening and spending time with her husband and four kids. Dr. Schwartz has two dogs (Poochie and Penny), three cats (Strawberry, Titan and Buddy) and several chickens.

TECHNICIANS

Nicole

Nicole graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelors degree in Veterinary Technology and Zoology in 2008. She is currently studying to get her certificate in Animal Behavior.  Nicole and her husband Bob have one son, Karsyn. She has a cat named Suri and a mixed breed dog named Peaches. (All her pets have been rescues). In her free time she loves to spend time with her husband, family, pets and friends.

Leslie

Leslie grew up outside of Mankato and graduated from Argosy’s technician program in 2008. She spent several years working in small and mixed animal practices in Nebraska before returning to the area to join MVPH. She and her husband have 2 children and a dog named Buddah.  [She rubs his belly every day for good luck before coming to work.] Away from work she enjoys spending time with family, baking and reading.

Jenny

Originally from Waterville, MN, Jenny joined MVPH following her graduation from Ridgewater College in 1999 and is a Certified Veterinary Technician. Jenny and her husband Dana have a Golden Retriever named Ty and an Olde English Bulldogge named Ellie. In her free time Jenny can be found lifting weights at the gym, running, and enjoys traveling with her husband.

Donna

Originally from Mankato, Donna has been working at MVPH since High School, first as an attendant and since 1987 as a veterinary technician. Her and her husband Jerry have two children, Lorna and Nathan. Donna enjoys outdoor activities, camping, and horseback riding with her family and friends. She has two German Wire-Haired Pointers named Gus and Idgie. She also has three horses- Buck, Tuff, and Ginger. Donna’s hobby farm would not be complete without her barn cats and her chickens.

Rachel

Rachel is a graduate of the Minnesota School of business and is a Certified Veterinary Technician. She has been at MVPH since 2008. Rachel and her husband Chad live with their wonderful kitties Frodo, Josie, Ziggy, Meow Meow, Rue, and Poopy Joe Nelson. Rachel enjoys nature, watching and studying birds, baking, stargazing, Christmas, and being an advocate for the Earth! Please reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Kaylee

Kaylee graduated with an associate’s degree in the Veterinary Technology program at Minnesota School of Business in Shakopee, Mn in 2010. She has a cat named Tiger and dog named Lexi. She enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends and traveling to new places and experiencing new adventures.

Sarah

Sarah graduated from the Vet Tech program at Argosy in Eagan, MN. She started with MVPH in April 2010. She has lived on a hobby farm with elk, donkeys, goats, pot bellied pigs, alpacas, mini horses and cats since 1992 so she’s been around animals her whole life. In her spare time she loves spending time with her husband Jeremi daughter Ella and son Sawyer.  Sarah also enjoys being outdoors and traveling.

Tasha is originally from Waterville, MN and attended Ridgewater College graduating in 2016.  She started with MVPH in November 2019.  She enjoys helping on her family dairy farm, kayaking and shooting at the gun range.  She harbors two furry friends:  a bunny named Mr Fluffy and an English Shepherd/Blue Heeler named Fozzy.

(to a theater near you)

Alexis is a graduate of Ridgewater’s Veterinary Technology program and is a Certified VT. She has been at MVPH since starting here internship in August 2018. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and being outside.

Samantha was born and raised by a pack of wolves in Benson, MN.  She graduated from NDSU with a degree in Veterinary Technology.  She shares her home with three ferrets; Dobby, Niffler, and Eevee and enjoys reading and the extreme opposites of playing video games and being in the outdoors.

HOSPITAL MANAGER

RECEPTIONISTS

Holly

Holly came to MVPH on an internship from Minnesota School of Business in Richfield and has been with us since graduation in 1996. Originally from St. Peter, MN, she is married to Chris and has a son Zach, one cat named Memphis, and three dogs named Chili, Bella and Jack.  She enjoys motorcycling with friends, relaxing at the lake with family and walking her dogs.

Jen

Jen has lived in the Mankato area for most of her life.  She is married and has one daughter.  Her house is a haven for rescue pets currently including three dogs and two cats.  She enjoys regularly helping out at the local animal shelter, spending time with family at the lake and long peaceful walks with her dogs.

Grace

Grace graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in Lakeville.  She enjoys both the interactions with the pets AND their people who come in to the hospital.  In her free time she can be found enjoying family and friends, camping and being in the outdoors, and her dog Gabe who occupies much of her time.

Shalane

Shalane is originally from the Mapleton area but now lives in Mankato.  She has worked in the health care field for 15 years, but this is her first time in a pet hospital.  Shalane enjoys spending time with her son, family, and friends.  She loves traveling when she can, and learning new things.