Susan Jones, DVM 

“My goal is to serve the community while keeping the animals’ best interest in mind. This is what I love to do!”

Jessica Hafemann, DVM

Jessica is a 2007 graduate of the University of Minnesota. Growing up she was active in 4-H and worked at several horse farms west of the Twin Cities. She is currently a Hennepin County 4-H leader. In her free time she enjoys spending time at her hobby farm with her husband, their children, horses, and dog. She also enjoys riding horses, gardening, and baking. In the beginning of 2022, Jessica became the sole owner of Minnesota Valley Veterinary Services and Arlington Animal Clinic. She spends the majority of her time at our Le Sueur clinic.  

Katharine Kancer, DVM

Katharine grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and went to the University of Illinois for both her undergraduate and doctorate degrees. She first became interested in veterinary medicine as a child when she started horseback riding and showing Dressage. She currently lives in St. Peter with her husband Henry, who recently became a partner at Swine Vet Clinic. They share their home with their dog Ella, and their cat, Harrison. Katharine enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, especially getting to establish relationships with clients and be an interpreter between animal and owner. In the future, she plans to pursue additional certification in practice management and veterinary acupuncture. When not working, Katharine enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially her nieces and nephew. She also loves to travel, spend time outside, and read. Katharine works solely out of the Le Sueur clinic. 

Karen Exline, DVM

Dr. Karen has been a practicing veterinarian since she graduated from the University of Missouri in 2013. Her career path has lead her to focus on preventative medicine for dogs and cats. In her spare time she enjoys spending as much time outdoors with her dog Bubbles and family. She works part time out of our Arlington location. 

Sam Baker, DVM 

Bio coming soon! 

Our Veterinary Technicians:

Kelsey Gustafson, CVT 

Kelsey lives with her significant other, Stephen, and their two daughters Willow and Remi. She went to college and obtained her Bachelor’s degree at University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire in Communications and Environmental Science. She has always been passionate about animals and decided to attend Argosy University for Veterinary Technology. She graduated from Argosy in 2014 and immediately passed her boards to be a certified veterinary technician. Kelsey spends most of her time enjoying the company of her family and loves to go up north to the family lake house. Kelsey is our head technician at our Le Sueur clinic. 

Anna Mackenthun, VT

Anna lives just outside of Glencoe with her husband Tim who farms. She graduated from Ridgewater College in Willmar with associate degree of Veterinary Technology in 2014. She has been working in the veterinary field since 2013 and loves the new challenges and how every day is something new. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, being outside and helping out around the farm. Anna’s “fur kids” include 3 dogs named Ava, Charlie, and Quinn, a cat named Charlotte, a rabbit, 5 fainting goats, and a pony!  Clara and Olivia are her "real kids" and Anna is loving being a mother and watching her girls grow. Anna works part time at our Arlington clinic. 

     Kimmy Stepka, VT

Kimmy lives in Shieldsville with her husband, Joe, and his twin girls Kelly and Emily. She graduated in 2013 from the Argosy University Veterinary Technology program. She enjoys spending time with her family, raising animals on their “funny farm”, and riding/showing horses. Kimmy works at our Le Sueur location. 

Alexis Odegard, CVT

Alexis lives in Vesley, Minnesota and joined our team in September of 2020. She graduated from Dakota County Technical College in Fall of 2021 and passed her boards shortly thereafter. Alexis is very driven and loves learning more about everything vet med. Now that she is out of school and has some free time, she enjoys tending to her bunnies and chickens, as well as spending time with her boyfriend, Derek. 

Kellee Vinkemeier, CVT

Kellee grew up in Green Isle, Minnesota and still resides there after purchasing her family's farm in December of 2020. She completed her veterinary technician degree at Ridgewater college and graduated in 2012. Shortly after she sat for her boards to become a certified veterinary technician. Outside of work she enjoys spending time on her farm with her four horses, her dog, and a handful of cats and chickens. Kellee joined our team in 2021 and works out of our Arlington clinic. 

Our Assistants: 

Kennedy Straub 

Kennedy lives in Le Sueur with her dog Gunner and significant other William. She is interested in training hunting dogs and hopes to continue her education in animal behavior in the future. In her spare time she enjoys riding horses, hunting, fishing, and camping with friends. Kennedy works at our Le Sueur clinic as well, and is also enrolled in the online veterinary technician program through Penn Foster. 

Jasmine Houska

Jasmine grew up in Le Sueur and went to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She graduated in December of 2017 with her bachelors degree in Animal Sciences. Jasmine is currently a fourth year veterinary student at the University of Minnesota. She plans to pursue mixed animal medicine after graduation and has a passion for learning. Jasmine yearns to know the 'why' behind diseases and treatments. Outside of school and work, Jasmine enjoys swimming, camping, exploring new breweries, and spending time with her dog, Mya. 

Becky Wetzel

Becky currently lives in Arlington, but grew up on a farm outside of Chaska, Minnesota. She graduated in 2014 from North Dakota State University with a bachelor degree in Animal Science. Outside of work, Becky enjoys helping her parents on the family farm, horseback riding, four-wheeling, fishing, and bonfires. Her 'fur-kids' include a dog, horse, and 6 barn cats. Becky works full time at the Arlington Clinic and is currently enrolled in the online Penn Foster veterinary technician program. 

Hailey recently joined our staff in August of 2022 and works out of our Le Sueur Clinic as a veterinary technician assistant.  She lives in Cleveland with her boyfriend, Trent, and her two girls, Harper and Quinn. They share their home with 3 dogs; Millie, Maui, and Bruno. Hailey has always had a passion for animals and is currently enrolled in the veterinary technician program through Penn Foster. In her free time, she enjoys lake life with her family. 

Our Office Staff:

Lyle Braun, Practice Manager 

Lyle joined our team in April of 2019 as our practice manager. He lives on a farm near Young America with his dog, Odie.  Lyle has 12 years of experience with all aspects of veterinary clinic management, and considers it a privilege to be involved with the great doctors and staff at Minnesota Valley Veterinary Services. Outside of MVVS, Lyle enjoys operating Countryside Feed and managing commercial real estate. His favorite animals are sloths. Lyle splits his time between both clinics, Monday through Thursday. 

Dani Johnson, Inventory Specialist and CVT

Dani graduated from the veterinary technician program at Ridgewater College in Wilmer in 2009. She has been a certified veterinary technician ever since, spending much of her career with us here at Minnesota Valley Veterinary Services. While still a licensed CVT, Dani has moved into a more managerial role within the clinic. She enjoys showing horses and beef cows with her family, and spending time outside with her husband and dog, Hobbs. Dani works out of our Arlington location primarily and at our Le Sueur location one day a week.

Jenny Rose, Receptionist 

Jenny lives in Arlington with husband Tony.  They have three boys and three dogs.  In her spare time she enjoys camping, fishing, watching her boys wrestle, and spending time with family. Jenny works at our Arlington Clinic where she is our head receptionist.

Sally West, Receptionist 

Sally graduated in 2005 from the Minnesota School of Business with a degree in veterinary technology. She has worked in several clinics over the past 12 years (including MVVS!). After leaving the profession for a short two years, she has come back to clinic work as one of our receptionists. Sally lives outside of Le Sueur with her husband, Gaylan, on his family's farm. Outside of work, she enjoys gradually updating the farm and spending time with their animals. Sally and her husband have one cat who is affectionately referred to as "Her Majesty" but also care for their two 'niece' dogs next door, Lexi (AKA flexi-lexi) and Boo (AKA the black olive). Sally works full time at our Arlington location.