Mon – Fri: 8a – 5p
Sat – Sun: Closed
Mon – Fri: 8a – 5p
Sat - Sun: Closed

Our Team

Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the veterinarians and team members of Animal Care Center! We’re pleased to provide exceptional veterinary care for your pets. Please call us at (218) 822-6000 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members.

Veterinarians

Dr. Steven Rehnblom

Veterinarian

Dr. Steven Rehnblom has called the Brainerd lakes area home since 1994. He received his undergraduate degree in 1985 and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota in 1988. Dr. Rehnblom enjoys all areas of companion animal practice and has special interests in surgery, canine reproduction and dentistry. He has four children and 3 grandkids.  Two of his three daughters are currently in veterinary college.  He spends his spare time with his Golden Retriever Jack and also enjoys landscaping, traveling, golf, and sailing.

Years in Practice: 32

Education: University of Minnesota

Dr. Tyler Fuhrman

Veterinarian

Dr. Tyler Fuhrman was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota in 2013. Dr. Fuhrman then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 2017.  She spent her first years of practice in North Dakota.  Dr. Fuhrman has a special interest in dermatology and GI medicine.

Dr. Fuhrman lives with her husband, Josiah and their son, Flynn.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the lake, camping, drinking a delicious iced white mocha, reading a good Entertainment Weekly magazine, and watching classic movies on TCM!

Dr. Kendra Rehnblom

Veterinarian

Dr. Kendra Rehnblom is the daughter of Dr. Steve Rehnblom. She received her bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Kendra then attended St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her final year of vet school at the University of Minnesota. Her special interests include dentistry, dermatology, and surgery. 

In her free time, she enjoys camping in voyageurs national park, spending time on the lake, hiking, playing volleyball, trying new sourdough recipes, and spending time with her nieces and nephews. Dr. Kendra shares her home with Merlin, a papillon and Raleigh, a ragdoll kitty.

Hospital Administrator

Teri

Hospital Administrator

Teri is our Hospital Administrator and has been with Animal Care Center since it’s opening in January, 2001. “I really enjoy the family atmosphere and working with team members that truly respect and care for each other and the pets in their care.” She enjoys horseback riding, camping, biking, collecting house plants, playing cards, board games & BINGO, and working on her hobby farm all while spending time with family, friends, and Mother Nature. Teri is a rock-hound and collects rocks wherever she goes! She and her two horses, served on the Hubbard County & Cass County Sheriff’s Mounted Posses for a total of 18 years. Teri shares her home with husband Dennis; 1 yellow lab, 1 sheltie mix, 3 barn cats, 1 quarter horse & 2 miniature donkeys.

Years in Practice: 24
Email:  Teri@AnimalCareCenterBaxter.com
Certified Veterinary Technician

Karen

Lead Certified Veterinary Technician

Karen is our Lead CVT and she obtained her Veterinary Technician degree from University of Minnesota-Waseca in 1985. She has been in the field ever since she joined the Animal Care Center team in 2001 when the practice opened. Karen enjoys the daily challenges of her career and the opportunity to always keep learning.

Outside of work, she enjoys saltwater and freshwater fishing and traveling with her husband, Mark. Karen also enjoys reading, caring for her 70+ houseplants and staying active with Ren, her yellow lab.

Years in Practice: 39

Education: University of Minnesota

Email: karen.wettlaufer@lakefieldvet.com

Please feel free to use this email address when you have a need to contact a manager directly.  If you have an emergency or if your need is urgent it is best to phone our office at 218-822-6000.

Megan

Certified Veterinary Technician

Megan graduated from Ridgewater College in May of 2010 from the Veterinary Technology program and soon after joined our team. Her hobbies include anything outdoors. She likes to scrapbook, do other crafts and spend time with family and friends. The thing she likes best about her job is being challenged and learning new things. Seeing the animals improve and being part of that process of making a difference in the lives of pets, and pet parents, gives her a huge sense of fulfillment and joy. Megan strives to make everyone satisfied and happy with their visit. Megan shares her home with her husband Loyd, daughter Violet and their two cats, Pebbles and Sugar.

Years in Practice: 12

Education: Ridgewater College

Luisa

Certified Veterinary Technician

Luisa has worked in the veterinary profession since 2000. She graduated from Argosy University in 2004 as a Certified Veterinary Technician. Luisa loves to spend time with her family. They also have three dogs and two cats. They enjoy living in the Brainerd Lakes Area and love to fish, go boating and spend time in the garden. Luisa enjoys working with clients and helping animals the best that she can. Her special interests are dentistry, client education and surgery.

Years in Practice:  24

Missy

Certified Veterinary Technician

Missy joined the Animal Care Center in June of 2024 as one of our incredible certified veterinary technicians. Missy has two dogs, a mini aussie named Tate and a Lab named Tucker. Missy also has three cats named Finnegan, Charlie and Jack.

Amanda

Certified Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon…

Emma

Veterinary Technician

Emma graduated from Duluth Business University in December of 2017 from the Veterinary Technology Program. She joined Animal Care Center in February of 2018. She enjoys spending time with family, hiking, reading, and camping. Emma has a Labrador Retriever mix named Oliver, who always keeps her entertained and feeling loved. She loves having a job where she can be around animals and care for them all day. Emma especially likes seeing the connections that clients have with their pets.

Abbey

Veterinary Technician

Abbey graduated from the Vermilion Community College’s veterinary technician program in December of 2020. Abbey enjoys her free time by riding and showing her horse, and hanging out with friends and family. She has two dogs, Rya and Lenny, and two cats.

Client Service Representatives

Heather

LEAD Client Service Representative

Heather joined Animal Care Center in June of 2021. She is the lead client service representative. Heather has lived in the Brainerd lakes area all of her life. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe. Together, they enjoy traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with their four children and their spouses, and grandchildren.  She is deeply passionate about animals and has four dogs of her own; Pugs; Norma and Oscar, and Australian Shepherds: Kenny and Kate. Heather loves the connection she makes with both people and their pets, and always enjoys sharing a smile with our clients.

Kim

Client Service Representative

Kim joined our team as a client service representative in August of 2020 and has lived in the Brainerd lakes area all of her life. Kim enjoys camping and spending time outdoors with her family.  She shares her home with her husband Troy, yorkie Journey, black lab Luna and golden retriever Winston. She has two daughters, Cassie and Kayleigh, that live together nearby. Kim is looking forward to providing wonderful, caring customer service to our clients.

Erica

Client Service Representative

Erica joined our team in October of 2022 as a client service representative. Erica recently moved back to the Brainerd lakes area after living in southern Minnesota for seven years where she worked with a hockey team and coached gymnastics and figure skating. She is so excited for this new experience working in the veterinary field!

Erica graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies. Her education and employment background made her a great fit for assisting us with our social media and website content, as well. Erica resides in Baxter, Minnesota and has a husky named Steel! She is also a registered cottage food producer and owns her own baking business selling custom sugar cookies. Erica enjoys helping our clients and patients receive a positive and pleasant vet visit.

Animal Care Assistants

Justin

LEAD Veterinary Assistant

Justin joined our team as a Client Service Representative and a Veterinary Assistant in June of 2020.

Katlyn

Animal Care Assistant

Katlyn joined the Animal Care Center team full-time in October of 2021. She is one of our star animal care assistants.  She has a true passion for animals and really loves being a part of our team. Katlyn always wants to do what is best for animals as she believes we owe them more than we can give just for making our lives better.

Hailee

Animal Care Assistant

Hailee joined the Animal Care Center team in July of 2022 as an Animal Care Assistant. Hailee has three cats of her own; Lucy, Lyla and Luna.  Hailee has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and loves to read. She also enjoys a variety of crafts like painting, crocheting and DIY projects and spending time with her family and friends in her free time. 

Cassie

Animal Care Assistant

Cassie joined the Animal Care Center in May of 2023 as a client service representative and then transitioned to being an outstanding animal care assistant in May of 2024. Cassie has two dogs, an English Springer Spaniel named Klaus and a Lab mix named Freya. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, but has found a new love and hopes to continue her education in the veterinary field in the near future. Cassie enjoys reading, playing volleyball and traveling in her free time. 

Pet Groomers

Sandy

Pet Groomer

Sandy joined our team in December of 2008  when she moved here from Andover with her husband and twin daughters. Their family has since grown to include two son-in-laws and two grandchildren.  They are home to two German Shepherds, three cats, two rabbits, three horses and 5 chickens. Sandy enjoys horseback riding, canoeing, hiking and camping.  Sandy likes getting to know the different personalities of the pets she grooms, they are so loved and cared for like children.  She gets very attached to the bests she often grooms. “I also enjoy the caring atmosphere of my co-workers. They are here because they like their jobs.”

Years in Practice: 40

Katrina

Pet Groomer

Katrina has been grooming for eight years. She grooms a large variety of dog breeds, along with some cats. Katrina grew up showing and training dogs in 4-H. She now shows in AKC with her miniature american shepherd named Rogue. Katrina first started her passion for dogs at a very young age. She worked in her grandpa’s vet clinic the Ye Ole Country Doc then went on to work as a vet assistant for her uncle, Dr. Kyle Adkins. Katrina started her grooming career summer of 2014 where she attended a grooming academy. She enjoys educating clients about how to care for their pet’s grooming needs along with making sure every pet is comfortable during the process. Katrina is very excited about joining the ACC team!

Kristy

Pet Groomer

Kristi joined the Animal Care Center team in 2001 as our first pet groomer. She has since started her own family and the demands of the farm only allow her enough time to come in once or twice per month to groom some of her favorite clients! She has two daughters and one son. Kristi and her husband raise cattle and donkeys. They have sheep, goats, chickens, cats and dogs on their farm. Kristi misses full-time grooming and is so grateful to be able to come in at least once a month to see us all!