Animal Lovers to Our Core

Jessica Jeurissen

Lead CVT

Hello, my name is Jessica Jeurissen and I have worked with the wonderful team at River Valley Veterinary Service as a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2012. I graduated in 2007 from Ridgewater College in Willmar with an A.S. in veterinary technology and have been working as a technician ever since. I love my job and enjoy interacting with the pets and educating clients about them. I live in Prior Lake with my husband, Mark, and our daughter Mara. We have a Labrador Retriever named Benelli and a cat named Kitty Kitty Kitty Meow Meow. In my free time I enjoy gardening, reading, fishing and kayaking. I look forward to working with you and your pets.

Jenna Braun

Assistant Lead CVT

Hello, my name is Jenna Braun, I started working at River Valley Groom & Board in 2013 as a Pet Care Provider. During that time, I was going to school to be a Certified Veterinary Technician, graduating in 2016. Working with animals is my passion, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! My husband Derek and I have a beautiful daughter named Emma along with two dogs named Oliver and Chance, and two cats named Hobbes and Hubert. When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I look forward to working with you and your pets!

Katelyn McDonough

CVT

My name is Katelyn McDonough, but you can call me Kate. I grew up in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania and moved to Minnesota in 2013. I graduated with honors from Minnesota School of Business in 2016 and became certified that December. I have been at River Valley full time since 2018. I live in Shakopee with my husband Brett and our adorable son Newton. We have a black lab/pitbull named Alastair and a lab/bordercollie/akita named Mazikeen. I love playing many instruments and play flute in the Minnesota Valley Community Band. In my free time I love spending time with my family, reading and going on adventures.

Danielle Peters

CVT

Bio coming soon !

Taylor Chemberlin

CVT

Hello, my name is Taylor Chemberlin, I joined the team at RVVS in May of 2022. I graduated in 2021 from Dakota County Technical College with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology. I absolutely love working in veterinary medicine where no day is ever the same. I love being able to help educate clients on all sorts of topics and meet all the wonderful pets that come to see us. I live in Lakeville on a small hobby farm where I keep an assortment of animals. I have a German Shepherd named Enzo and a Black Labrador named Dutton, two Quarter Horses named Rue & Texas, two Nigerian Dwarf goats named Sister & Marvel, one guinea pig named Spud and four cats named Tigger, Jack, Mr. Goob and Finnegan. Oh, and there are also 19 chickens! In my free time I enjoy going to barrel races, hiking, family time and watching my favorite TV shows.

Alexis Odegaard

CVT

Bio coming soon !

Kayla Mullenberg

CVT

Hello, my name is Kayla and I joined the RVVS team in August 2023. I Graduated from Ridgewater College in Willmar in 2018 with an A.A.S. In Veterinary Technology. I was born and raised in Faribault, MN. I have 2 mixed breed dogs at home named Nike and Tank. I enjoy spending my free time with family and friends and exploring new places. I look forward to seeing you and your pet

Lauryn Mitchell

CVT

Hi, my name is Lauryn and I live in Savage along with my toddler-behaved cat named Biscuit and a lot of guinea pigs, 7 of them to be exact. Most of them are named after different types of candy such as Reese’s Pieces, KitKat, and Snickers. I am going to school to become a CVT and want to continue my education in the animal and/or science field. In my free time, I like to go on spontaneous motorcycle rides, travel to different countries, and try new local cuisine.

Neymi Gonzalez

Veterinary Technician

Hello, my name is Neymi! I joined the River Valley Groom and Board team in October 2017 as a Pet Care Provider. I moved from Florida to Minnesota in December 2013. When I was living in Florida, I worked as a Veterinary Technician while I attended St. Petersburg College and earned my AAS Degree in Veterinary Technology. I currently live in Prior Lake with my husband, Johnny, our two kids, Alex and Emma, and our yellow Labrador, Belle. I love working with animals and I am excited to have joined the River Valley Veterinary Service team. In my free time, I enjoy being with my family, reading, watching TV, and baking.

Jenny Sampica

Veterinary Technician

Hello! My name is Jenny Sampica, I joined the River Valley team at the end of 2022. I have been working as a technician assistant since 2017 and am currently in school to become a CVT. When not at work I enjoy spending time with my husband and our four pets – two dogs named Mia and Bogart, a green cheek conure named Petri, and a ball python named Nessie. I am a huge fan of musicals and travelling. I am always looking for a new adventure!

Lisa Kostik

Technician Assistant

Hello! My name is Lisa Kostik, I was a part of the River Valley Team from 1995 to 2005. I am very excited to return after 15 years! Veterinary medicine is in my heart, I have a love and passion for it. I have lived in the Prior Lake area my entire life, and am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing community. I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Flynn Rider; he is our fourth Corgi, the first three are pictured in exam room 3 on the wall. In my free time I like to spend time with my husband Chris and son Alex and of course Flynn. I also like to be out on our boat, put together puzzles, and travel to Disney! I am excited to meet you and your pets!

CJ Mayer

Technician Assistant & Pet Care Provider

Hey there! My names CJ and I recently graduated from high school and I absolutely LOVE animals! I have a furbaby of my own, his name is Dozer and he’s the sweetest border collie-australian shepherd mix you’ll ever meet. I hope to dive into the veterinary field in my future so I can help animals live their happiest and healthiest lives. I can’t wait to meet you and your pets, making sure they feel loved, safe, and never lonely while you’re away!

Kathy Deis

Lead CSR – Client Services and Obedience Coordinator

Kathy lives in Prior Lake with her husband, Dan, and they have four adult children: Emily, Allie, Mayme, and Daniel. Kathy is a Minnesota native. She grew up in Bloomington and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth where she received her degree in Communications and Psychology. When she is not working at RVVS, she’s caring for her new granddaughter, Kay. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is passionate about her family’s dogs: Cody, Bella, Rosie, Rio, Ranger, and cat Elsie!

Stacey McKague

Lead CSR- Client Services

My name is Stacey McKague, I have worked in the veterinary field since 1993 and have been a Client Services Representative at River Valley Veterinary Service since 1999. My favorite part of this job is witnessing and being a part of the special bond between clients and their pets. My family consists of my husband Brian, my son Nick (a graduate of The Ohio State University – Class of 2018) and my daughter Lindsey (a student at the University of South Dakota – Class of 2024). My furry kid is a Greyhound named Jaime, who was rescued out of the meat trade in Beijing, China and brought here for adoption by Candy Cane Rescue and MN Greyhound Rescue.

Angi Edwards

Client Services

Graduating with a degree in communications from St. Bens, Angi loves to help and
guide people to what they need; especially what their furry family members need!
She has lived in Prior Lake for over 30 years with her husband Dave, daughter
Sophie, and her dog Moose. She stays busy entertaining her family and friends
poolside, traveling, and loves to read.

Emily Koch

Client Service

Emily has been a CSR here at River Valley for over 3 years now. She has Penny- a 5-year-old Australian Shepherd/Corgi mix. In addition to being a full-time smiling face up at the front desk, she has also taken on the role as euthanasia coordinator to help guide and comfort families through the difficult process of end of life. Emily is also a member of River Valley’s Culture Committee. She enjoys being a part of making the workplace a safe and enjoyable environment, planning team events and outings, and love assisting with the clinic’s décor. She is very eager to grow and continue to be an asset to the River Valley Team.

Jessie Rocco

Client Services

Hi, I’m Jessie Rocco! My family and our pets have been coming to River Valley for forever! I have worked in customer service for my entire working life and I’m currently going to school for business marketing and project management. When not at work or doing school work I love to read and hang out with my friends! I’m so excited to be part of the River Valley family!

Bobbi Zenner

Client Services

My name is Bobbi, and I’m a resident of Prior Lake with a degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota. I’ve always had a deep love for animals, which led me to volunteer at a rescue while living in Northern Minnesota, where I adopted my two Siamese cats, Sullivan and Remy. I currently volunteer with Warrior Dog Rescue in Savage, where I also adopted my dog, Duke. In my free time I enjoy hiking, traveling, and exploring photography. I am excited to provide exceptional care and support for both our clients and their pets.

Lezlie Claire

Groomer

Hi, I’m Lezlie! From a young age, animals have been my passion. I started showing my mom’s standard poodles at the age of 6, regularly brought all sorts of creatures’ home, and started showing Arabian horses at the age of 11. I’ve been grooming dogs since 2014 and I love the transformation effect grooming has, especially when it helps your pet feel better. My specialties are poodles, doodles, and deshedding blowouts. I currently have an Arabian horse named Monty, a Great Dane named Daphne, and a crazy black cat named Binx. In my free time, I enjoy riding horses, reading, watching documentaries, and going to concerts. I look forward to meeting you and your pets!

Amanda Lorinser

Groomer

Hi, my name is Amanda. I started grooming in 2007 because I wasn’t allowed to have dogs growing up so I figured I would get some dog loving in while at work. I eventually convinced my mom it was a prerequisite, and I ended up getting a little mutt named Scrappy! I currently have a goldendoodle named Darla and a spicy little Yorkie named Judy. I would say my grooming specialty are Shih Tzu’s but some of my favorite haircuts start with “this might sound crazy but…”. In my free time I like all things crafty, and spending time with my family at the arcade.

Lindsey Todd

Boarding Manager

Hi! My name is Lindsey and I’ve been with River Valley Groom and Board since July of 2018. I have lived in Prior Lake since I was 3 years old and I’ve always had a passion for animals. I have 2 dogs myself, Abner and Zoe. They are my furbabies! I graduated from Prior Lake High School in 2015 and since then I have been working and attending school at Normandale Community College. In my free time I love to snuggle up with my puppies, read, hike, and spend time with friends and family.

Lily Keteri

Boarding Coordinator

Hello, my name is Lily! I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MN. I moved to Minneapolis in the fall of 2021. From a very young age I have loved spending time with animals. I always had dogs growing up including Black Labs and Cocker Spaniels. I recently got my very own dog, a Dachshund Mix named Prince Poncho, he’s the best! A few of my favorite things to do are petting dogs, spending time with family and friends, camping, hiking, traveling, trying new foods, reading, and collecting p0lants and propagating them. I’m excited to be a part of the team at River Valley Groom & Board and look forward to meeting you and your pets!

Emma Reller

Boarding Coordinator

Hello! My name is Emma. I grew up in the country surrounded by animals and have never known life without them. I recently have gotten married and my husband, Troy, shares my love for animals. We have built a little family together of our own and we currently have a white faced cockatiel, Nugget; a rescue kitty, Mittens; and a cocklier puppy, Truffles. Despite my passion for animals, I actually have a Master’s in Library Science and am a full time teaching librarian during the school year. Working at River Valley allows me to incorporate all my passions into one as I get to be surrounded by animals and the amazing people at RVVS/RVGB while I also work as a librarian and teacher during the school year.

Danielle Paulson

Boarding Coordinator

Hello, my name is Danielle Paulson! I’m a life-long resident of Prior Lake, MN. I went to college at Minnesota State University Mankato graduating in December of 2017 with a degree in Child Development and Family Studies. Last year I had to put my beautiful dog Sunny who was a 17.5-year-old Cockapoo down in April. She was my first ever pet that I ever had! She will forever and always hold a special place in my heart. She was my special ray of sunshine! I rescued a 9-year-old Chihuahua named Lucky in the fall of 2024. He’s now finally living up to his name and having the best life! Very happy to have him as part of the family! My very first job was as a swim instructor at Foss Swim School. Swimming has always and will forever be a passion of mine. I consider myself a mermaid as I love being in the water so much. Next, I was a preschool teacher for a few years at a couple different centers. As much as I love working with kids, I feel my true calling is with animals especially dogs and cats. I love the love that they give, it truly warms my heart. I’m the type of person that loves to try new things. I’m always on the go exploring and being a part of a new adventure. I love to travel, my favorite place that I’ve ever been to would be Italy. I went in high school for a band trip and immediately fell in love. I just recently went to Italy again at the beginning of March 2025 to visit one of my best friends! I would go back again in a heartbeat! Another passion of mine is baseball. I love the Minnesota Twins. Finally, I love anything Disney. I look forward to working with your furry family members!

Kenzie Dubay

Boarding Coordinator

Hi! My name is Kenzie Dubay and I have lived in Prior Lake my whole life. I love animals and I currently have two dogs of my own. They are my world. I graduated from high school in 2022. I am now exploring careers! Animals are definitely my passion and something I want to make a career in. Coming to work everyday is so incredibly easy because of my love for animals. I’m looking forward to meeting each and every one of you and your pets!

Justin Cassens

Pet Care Provider

Hello, I’m Justin and I joined the RVGB team in July 2023. I’m originally from Madison, WI but grew up in Bloomington. My wife and I have a 7 year old daughter that is currently in 2nd grade and loves to dance! She also loves animals as much as we do. Her and our Pit mix have a special bond and he sleeps in her bed every night. We have 3 dogs at home, ranging from a Beagle puppy(Margo), to a St. Bernard (Eugene) and our Pit mix (Eddy). We also have a tiny cat (Stella) that thinks she can hang with the big dogs. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, as well as playing disc golf.

CJ Mayer

Technician Assistant & Pet Care Provider

Hey there! My names CJ and I recently graduated from high school and I absolutely LOVE animals! I have a furbaby of my own, his name is Dozer and he’s the sweetest border collie-australian shepherd mix you’ll ever meet. I hope to dive into the veterinary field in my future so I can help animals live their happiest and healthiest lives. I can’t wait to meet you and your pets, making sure they feel loved, safe, and never lonely while you’re away!

Gina Gertner

Pet Care Provider

Hello! I am Gina Gertner and I live in Prior Lake. My husband, 20 year old son, and 13 year old daughter love exploring nature. You can often find us outside regardless of the weather. We are passionate about hiking, boating, traveling, snowmobiling, and gardening. I’ll take the liberty to modify a common line from ‘Ted Lasso’, Pets are life. We have a 12 year old cat, Dash, a 9 year old miniature boxer, Apollo, and a 2.5 year old bearded dragon, Ember. The furry kids at River Valley Vet bring a smile to my face and joy to my soul. I look forward to caring and loving your pets.

Cindy Roemer

Pet Care Provider

Hi! My name is Cindy, and I live in Prior Lake with my dog (Aurora) and two cats (Nala and Daisy). I grew up fostering stray kittens and have always had a deep love for all kinds of animals. In my free time I enjoy reading, playing video games, and enjoying nature!

Gabby Holm

Pet Care Provider

Hi, my name is Gabby! I have lived in Prior Lake my whole life. I grew up in a family that loves animals so in return I am an huge animal lover. I have two dogs, Winston (French Bulldog), and Benny (Coton de Tulear). I also have a leopard gecko; her name is Sylvester (from Looney Toons). I graduated from Prior Lake High school in 2023. I currently go to school at DCTC where I’m studying veterinary technology. I plan to be a zoological vet tech. A few things I like to do in my free time are going on hikes, exercising, trying new foods, and spending time with my family and friends. I look forward to meeting your furry friends and providing my best care and love to them!

Kaitlyn Sutton

Pet Care Provider

Hi, my name is Kaitlyn Sutton and I’m from Elko New Market! I graduated from Lakeville South High School in 2021 and also just graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in May 2025 with a degree in zoology. I have a cat named Ginger, a 10-year-old Persian. I have always loved animals and have imagined myself working with them since I was in kindergarten. In my free time, I love spending time with friends and family, going to the lake, and binge watching any new show on Netflix. I look forward to meeting and loving your furry friends!

Chris Mosley

Obedience Instructor

I started as an equine client at RVVS some 30 years ago and added canines and barn felines to the mix soon after that. In that time, RVVS has helped us care for four horses, nine dogs, and at least six barn cats (all strays, dropped off to find us).

We took our first two dogs to RVVS for puppy and beginner obedience; the first two dogs were Rottweilers (Perry Mason and Della Street) and we got a great start with Dan Lively, the RVVS instructor at the time. Our next two Rotties were breeder rehomes. After that we switched breeds to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi; we’ve now owned five Corgis since 2009.

Currently we have two: Perfect Pitch (pictured here on the day I picked her up!) will turn 10 at the end of 2025. She is a registered Therapy Dog and also competes in dog sports: conformation, agility, herding, tracking and Rally Obedience. In 2020 she had a litter of four pups and we kept one, of course. Grammy will be five this year and he is starting to compete in all the same sports as his mother.

I have been teaching agility for several years and have just finished my second year teaching at RVVS. I continue to learn from the area instructors and also continue to expand my skills with a fair amount of reading.

My blend of knowledge and experience is sprinkled with a sense of humor and genuine care for the students who trust River Valley, and me.

Michelle DuPont

Certified Equine Assistant

Michelle joined the RVVS team in 2001 as an Equine Assistant and Client Service Representative. Her outgoing personality and horse skills made her a prime candidate for the job. Michelle works mainly as an Equine Assistant these days but is always willing to wear different hats and help where it is needed. Michelle lives in Prior Lake along with her cat Jasper and cute dog Ivy. Michelle enjoys riding her horses Jesse and Cricket, outdoor activities and dancing when the opportunity arises.

Desra Widdel

Accountant

Bio coming soon!

Haley Korbel, CVT

Inventory Manager

Hi, I’m Haley. I have been a Veterinary Technician since I was 18 but became officially certified in 2012 while working at River Valley Veterinary Service. I have been with RVVS since 2008, but did relocate out of state and took a parental hiatus for a few years. I returned in January of 2023 and loved reuniting with old friends, as well as making new ones. I live in Montgomery with my husband Jake and 3 daughters, Evy, Rowan and Olive. I also have 2 dogs, a goofy Golden Retriever named Ruxin and a sweet Cavalier named Yoyo, a rescued Quarter Horse named Zen, our cat Fetti, and several chickens. I love being outside, horseback riding, playing with kids, reading, and listening to true crime podcasts. I hope to meet you and your four-legged family soon!

Christina Dosch

Practice Administrator

Hello! I have been with River Valley Veterinary Service since 2011 and have had a variety of roles: from CSR, to Boarding and Grooming Manager, to now Practice Administrator. Celebrating the relationship between pets and their people is a passion of mine. I currently live in Savage with my cat, Mac. When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, riding my motorcycle, going to concerts, traveling, and reading. I look forward to meeting you!

Petra Jensen

Pet Care Provider

Hi, my name’s Petra Jensen! Originally, I’m from Colorado, but I moved to
Minnesota in 2023 for college! Growing up my mom and I loved animals, so
naturally I’ve always had a bunch of furry friends. Currently, my family consists of
two dogs, Najma (Great Pyrenees and Border Collie) and Rayne (American Eskimo
mix). I also have three cats, Snowball (Siamese mix), Scout (Siamese mix) and
Moon (Maine Coon mix). I plan to become an Architect, and some things I enjoy
doing in my free time are reading, playing video games and spending time with
friends and family. I look forward to caring for your furry friends!

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Kari Searcy

Veterinarian

Kari Searcy, age 33 of Lakeville, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2020. A private celebration of Kari’s life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

On July 7, 1986 in Minneapolis, MN, parents Randy and Barb welcomed their daughter, Kari Jean Searcy, into the world. She was the second of two children, the little sister to Ryan.

Growing up in Lakeville, Kari was an active and independent child. She enjoyed playing sports, especially softball, and camping with her family. Together they took road trips throughout America, visiting Yellowstone and the Black Hills. Spending time with family was so important to Kari she was close with her brother and her many cousins.

After graduating from Lakeville in 2004, Kari continued her education at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and later the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. From a young age, Kari loved animals. She was driven and determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a veterinarian. After receiving her doctorate, Kari was fortunate to intern in Seattle, WA for a year where she primarily worked with horses.

Kari eventually returned to the Lakeville area. She worked at various veterinary clinics in the south metro. Most recently she was with River Valley Clinic in Prior Lake. While Kari worked with all animals, she had a special interest in horses. Outside of work, Kari often attended concerts with friends and spent time at her hobby farm.

Throughout life, Kari put her heart and soul into everything she did. She was selfless and cared deeply for others. Despite enduring cancer, Kari’s determined spirit never wavered.

She is missed by her parents, Randy and Barb Searcy; brother, Ryan Searcy; many aunts, uncles, cousins, other loving relatives and friends.

Kari is preceded in death by her grandparents, Donald and Lucille Searcy and Ross and Eleanor Hastings.

Stacey McKague, CSR

Client Services

Bio coming soon!