Dr. Randy Ellis
Dr. Ellis graduated from the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical School in 1998. He remained at the University for a 1-year rotating small animal internship and then practiced in White Bear Lake at a small animal hospital. In 2001 he moved to the St. James Veterinary Clinic, which he purchased in 2007. He just recently sold the practice to Dr. Hirsch in April of 2020.
Dr. Ellis has a special interest in orthopedics, neurology, and a growing interest in hospice and end-of-life care. He has really enjoyed the daily interaction with clients and patients and has been excited to watch the clinic grow during his time here. Although his training has been mostly involved in small animals, he does enjoy doing large animal work, and any time he can spend on farms makes his day a little better!
Dr. Ellis is married with two beautiful daughters. They live in St. James and have an energetic Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named “Charlie.”
Practicing since 1998
Education:
University of Minnesota
Dr. Dana Hirsch (formerly Cannon)
Dr. Hirsch graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, located in St. Kitts, West Indies in 2013. For her last year of vet school, she was placed at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. She focused her studies on large animal medicine, though she loves to work with any animal that comes her way. As the clinic has grown, she has become more focused on Equine Medicine to cater to the large horse population in Southwestern Minnesota.
Dr. Hirsch is originally from Maryland but fell in love with the Midwest during her clinical years at the UMN. She lives in St. James with her husband, daughter, 2 dogs, 2 horses, and 2 cats.
Dr. Hirsch recently purchased the vet clinic from Dr. Ellis in April of 2020. She’s excited to help the business grow and to continue to be the practice that our clients enjoy.
Practicing since 2013
Education: Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Jacob Baker
Dr. Baker is a native of Sherburn, Minnesota and received his veterinary degree from Iowa State University in 2020. He couldn’t be more excited to return to this region to serve and care for pets and their owners in St. James and surrounding areas. He looks forward to providing quality care, compassion, and creating a trustworthy relationship with his clients. He loves working with all creatures, great and small!
In his spare time, he enjoys camping on the North Shore with his lovely wife and three children. He also loves pheasant hunting, especially with his well-trained Labrador “Vern”!
Practicing since 2020
Education:Iowa State University
Anthony Cowell
Anthony is a Certified Veterinary Technician that graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 2008. He then attended Rochester Community and Technical College from 2008-2010 where he graduated with an Associates in Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. He started working for our clinic in 2011 and has been with us ever since! You may see him on farm calls as well as in the clinic because he helps with handling large animals when needed.
Anthony lives on a farm in Mountain Lake where he has his dogs, cats, ducks, tortoises, and several rabbits. Anthony has been an extremely valuable asset to our clinic, and we are so grateful for his hard work!
Practicing since 2011
Education:
Rochester Community and Technical College
Morgan Meyer
Morgan is a Veterinary Technician that graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College in 2015 with an Associates in Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She then worked at Schwartz Sow Farm as a Day One Specialist for a year before deciding that she wanted to use her Vet Tech degree to work with other animals.
Morgan started working at St James Vet in September of 2016. She currently lives in Butterfield with her significant other and 3 beautiful children. Morgan has 3 dogs and 1 cat, while also working with the Watonwan County Humane Society in fostering dogs.
Practicing Since 2016
Education:
Iowa Lakes Community College
Keslie Thompson
Keslie is a part-time veterinary assistant at our clinic. She started at our clinic in 2017 and has carried her passion for animals into her work. Keslie lives in St James with her husband, two daughters, and her growing herd of dogs and cats!
Education:
St James High School
Nicole Wessels
Nicole is a Veterinary Technician that graduated from Vermilion Community College in 2021 with an Associates in Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She started working for us full-time after graduation so you can see her smiling face around the clinic! Nicole has recently begun specializing in Laser Therapy and Social Media management.
Nicole is originally from Florida but, lucky for us, decided to make Minnesota her home after she graduated from college. Nicole currently lives in St. James with her fiancé, her chocolate Labrador “Deke” and her cat “Oliver”.
Practicing since 2021
Education:
Vermilion Community College
Mandi Smith
Mandi is a receptionist at our clinic. She is usually the first person you talk to on the phone when you call, or the first face you see when you come into the clinic. She has been with us since August of 2020 and has been an invaluable asset to our clinic since then.
Mandi currently lives in New Ulm and enjoys camping on the weekends with her family and riding her mule, “Banjo”. She has a variety of animals including cats, snakes, lizards, dogs, and bugs. If you have an exotic animal question, she’s the one to ask!
Macy Schwarz
Macy is one of our Certified Veterinary Technicians at our clinic. She recently graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College in 2022 with an Associates in Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She started working for us after graduation, but you may have seen her around previously because she completed her internship with us as well.
Macy currently lives in Vernon Center with her handsome pup “Finn” and her herd of goats. We like to use her skill set with small ruminants to get her out of the clinic, and on farm calls, every once in a while.
Practicing since 2022
Education: Iowa Lakes Community College
Kaitlyn Oltmans
Kaitlyn is one of our newest Certified Veterinary Technicians at our clinic. Kaitlyn graduated from Ridgewater College with an Associates in Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She did not start with us directly after college, but she is with us now!
Kaitlyn currently lives in Windom with her husband, 3 cats, and her beautiful dog “Trixie”. We love having Kaitlyn as a part of the team!
Practicing since 2021
Education: Ridgewater College
Cheyenne Owens
Cheyenne majored in Biology from Bethany Lutheran College. Cheyenne has spent most of her life on a ranch and is well-versed in horses and cattle. She spends most of her days on farm calls with the Veterinarians and assists them in whatever way is needed. Cheyenne’s ready to take on any task that is handed to her and is very dedicated! Cheyenne lives in Truman with her son, 2 dogs, and horses.
Practicing since 2023
Education: Bethany Lutheran College
Maddie Leqve
Maddie is a full-time Veterinary Assistant who specializes in all things equine! Maddie graduated from SDSU with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. She came back to us from Rochester and now lives in Sherburn. Maddie has a beautifully feisty cat named “Spud” and an old labrador named “Jackson”. We are so happy to have Maddie back with us. Make sure to say hi when you see her on your farm calls or when you’re hauling in your horses!