Our Staff
Dr. Susan Brenteson
DVM
Dr. Susan Brenteson is a 2005 graduate from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and she is a certified veterinary acupuncturist.
Dr. Brenteson took over ownership of the Forest Lake Veterinary Hospital in 2019. She is excited to continue growing the practice and offer the best in patient and client care to the Forest Lake and surrounding community.
When not at work, Dr. Brenteson can be found volunteering for a local animal rescue helping shelter animals back to health.
In her free time her leisure activities include running, and mountain biking with her husband, Steve, and spending time with her own dog and cats.
Dr. Tom Randall
DVM
Dr. Randall graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. He has been practicing at Forest Lake Veterinary Hospital since 1997. As owner of the Hospital for over 20 years Dr. Randall has been essential in the growth of the practice and development of strong ties to the Forest Lake community. He sold the practice in 2019 and is enjoying his primary focus back on patient and client care. As a general practitioner Dr. Randall enjoys all areas of medicine and surgery. Six years at a practice that included an emergency service fostered a special interest in emergency medicine and surgery. His favorite part of practice remains new puppy and kitten exams.
He is married and has two children. His hobbies include woodworking, hiking, enjoying the cabin, running and an occasional triathlon or marathon. The Randalls have 2 cats (Frisco and Maggie) and one dog (Juno).
Dr. Jennifer Jelinski
DVM
Dr. Jen Jelinski was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. Following completion of her undergraduate studies at UW-Madison, she was commissioned into the United States Army, where she served for 8 years as a Transportation Officer, both on Active Duty and in the Minnesota National Guard. After her time in service, Dr. Jelinski attended veterinary school at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, and began practice working as a mixed animal veterinarian. Working with both large and small animals allowed her to explore many aspects of the veterinary field, and she has since found a special interest in small animal preventive medicine and soft tissue surgery. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Jelinski enjoys exploring Minnesota's natural resources with her husband, two sons and one dog. Her hobbies include painting, reading, hiking, camping, aerial arts and acrobatics, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Kiva Rudd
DVM
Dr. Rudd is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. She moved to the Twin Cities from California and lives in Lake Elmo with her husband, an Australian shepherd mix named Bear, a Shiba Inu named Ruby, a black lab named Sophie, a German shorthaired pointer named Piper, and her most recent foster-fail, an enormous black cat named Salem. In the small windows of time that she isn't caring for animals she enjoys spending time outside, either cross-country skiing, hiking, paddle-boarding or gardening, depending on the season!
Cassie
Practice Manager
Cassie transitioned from client to staff in January of 2018. She has always loved animals and has enjoyed getting to be the smiling face that greets our patients and their owners when walking in, however Cassie wanted more for the clinic and for herself and transitioned into the new role of Practice Manager in 2023.
Cassie has a degree in intercultural studies with a track of child and youth in crisis as well as a music minor. In early 2024 Cassie finished her veterinary practice management course. While her plans were once to do long term missions overseas having been to Africa on two separate occasions, her health has led her down a new path and her love of animals as well as natural ability to lead is fully enriched in her position at our clinic.
When she isn't working Cassie enjoys adventures with her husband Jacob. Together they can be found fishing, camping, hunting, gardening or enjoying nature in any other way. They also enjoy spoiling their own fur/feather babies; Turtle Jack Moby Chubs and Schwifty Whiskers their cats, Bessie, Cruella and Truffle their chickens, but they are known to share their love through fostering cats in need and pet sitting when able.
Rita
Client Service Representative
Rita made the transition from client to employee in 2011. She is the first to admit she could have been the inspiration for the crazy cat lady figurine!
She and her husband Kevin live in Forest Lake where they share their home with some very spoiled cats. They have two adult children.
Rita's favorite things in life include family, animals, and spending time with her two grandsons.
Rita feels like she has hit the jackpot with having a fun and interesting job, a houseful of cats that all get along and getting the very best grandsons in the whole world!
April
Client Service Representative
Testimonial coming soon!
KP
Client Service Representative
KP was born and raised in Stillwater, Minnesota. She went to Cornell College in Iowa where she studied music and anthropology. After she moved back home, she started a pet services business where she walked dogs and provided overnight pet sitting services. After running the business for 5 years, she decided to close up shop and join FLVH. KP is a certified professional dog trainer and has a special passion for the human-animal bond, which led to her pursuit of her Masters of Science in Anthrozoology. In her free time she loves going for bike rides, hiking, or reading with her snuggly blue heeler.
Rhonda
Customer Service Representative
Rhonda has been a client of FLVH for many years. After spending more than 15 years in the real estate appraisal business, she decided to share her love for animals and become part of the staff in 2024.
She and her husband, Dean, live in Forest Lake where they raised their three children. They have a quirky Frenchton named Mason who thinks everyone wants to be his friend, and they are caretakers to their oldest grandson's Crested Gecko named Axx.
When Rhonda isn't working, she enjoys camping, hiking, and crocheting; but her greatest joy comes from spending time with her three (soon to be four) grandchildren.
Nicole
Veterinary Technician
Nicole has been with us since August of 2014. She graduated from Argosy University in 2010. She loves being a Veterinary Technician! Her favorite part of being a tech is the variety it brings. She loves getting to be involved in all different aspects of the medical field. Nicole and her husband, Brock have three children. They also have two dogs, a cats, a horse, and a chameleon. There is never a dull moment at their house!
Kristi
Veterinary Technician
Kristi graduated from Globe University in 2017 with a degree in Veterinary Technology. She joined the practice in 2019. She loves her job and takes pride in assisting patients to live happy healthy lives. There is not a day at work she isn't smiling. Kristi has two sons, Anthony and Devon. They have one dog, Digger, and one cat, Bobby. Together, Kristi and her sons enjoy football, fishing, hiking, seeing wildlife, and being outdoors.
Christine
Certified Veterinary Technician, Doctor Liaison
Christine graduated from MIM in 1994 with the intent to work in zoo medicine. Landing her dream job at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Texas learning everything about African Safari animals and a love for lab work. She returned back home 7 years later to learn about small animal medicine and raise her 2 girls full time.
2020 brought more new changes allowing Christine to join our team in September to be closer to home and have more time with her girls. Christine has 3 cats and a bearded dragon.
Gabby
Certified Veterinary Technician, Lead Technician
Gabby has been working in the veterinary field since 2016 and joined the team at FLVH in 2020. She earned her vet tech degree from San Juan College Veterinary Technology program. In addition she graduated with a bachelors degree from Saint Cloud State University. She then continued her education by passing her Vet Tech National Exam and has been working as a Certified Veterinary Technician ever since. At work she has a special interest in exotic and pocket pets, radiology, and surgery. When she is not at work, she enjoys lake life, friends, family and spending time with her dogs, cats, rabbit, and fish.
Johanna
Veterinary Technician
Testimonial coming soon!
Mazie
Veterinary Technician
Mazie is from Rush City, Minnesota. She graduated from Ridgewater College with a veterinary technology degree. Eventually she plans to take the VTNE to get certified. She has two dogs, an Old English bulldog and a bull mastiff. She also has two cats. In her free time she likes being with family and friends, hanging out at the lake, and working out.Mazie is from Rush City, Minnesota. She graduated from Ridgewater College with a veterinary technology degree. Eventually she plans to take the VTNE to get certified. She has two dogs, an Old English bulldog and a bull mastiff. She also has two cats. In her free time she likes being with family and friends, hanging out at the lake, and working out.
Liz
Veterinary Assistant Level II
Liz joined the FLVH family as an assistant in 2020 after being a longtime client. Recently she underwent an intense anesthesia class to further her own professional abilities and better help her work team. In her free time, she enjoys reading, quilting, and baking; much to the delight of her coworkers! Liz resides in Forest Lake with her husband and a small zoo of animals which include three Boxers, a Bloodhound, an English Setter, three cats, and a grumpy Russian tortoise.
Mackenzie
Veterinary Assistant Level II
Mackenzie started working at Forest Lake Veterinary Hospital in June, 2022. She was hired on as a Veterinary Assistant with intention for growth as she progressed through veterinary technician school. She enjoys the fast paced medical environment of FLVH and the ability to adapt to every role of being a veterinary assistant. Her favorite parts of coming to work everyday are the urgent and unusual cases where she can utilize her technical skills. Outside of work and school, she enjoys spending time with her spunky Maltese named Angel, and two spoiled cats. She also likes to be outdoors camping, gardening, or on a lake.
Jenny
Veterinary Assistant
Jenny has been with us since October 2018. She is thrilled to be working with animals again after taking time off to raise her children. She lives on a hobby farm in Chisago City with her husband, 2 kids, their beloved cockapoo Juna (and all their cattle and chickens). In her free time, Jenny enjoys spending time with her family, watching her kids play sports, volunteering and gardening.
Lilly
Veterinary Assistant
Lilly is a veterinary student at the University of Minnesota. She has special interests in zoo/wildlife medicine as well as emergency medicine and critical care. She grew up in central Minnesota and enjoys anything to do with the outdoors. In her free time she enjoys running, golfing, exploring with her cattle dog mix Sully, and cuddling her 2 cats Maui and Daffodil.
Regina
Veterinary Assistant
Regina was born and raised in sunny Southern California, she recently moved to Minnesota after her husband retired from the Marine Corps. Regina is currently in school to become a CVT, she chose this career to advocate for those in need who don't have a voice. Regina has 2 dogs and 1 cat. During her down time, Regina enjoys spending time with her family, hiking at St. Croix Falls, Ice fishing and learning about ways to help dogs work on reactivity, especially in herding breeds.
Desirae
Veterinary Assistant
Growing up I moved around a lot due to my dads job, and the one constant in my life were always my animals. They have always been my best friends, peace, and solace! I own a business that I started out of my love for animals creating top quality products to ensure animals comfort! After searching months for the perfect part time job, I am so thankful to have found FLVH. Not only am I surrounded by animals all day but also a highly supportive and positive work environment thanks to my awesome peers. In my free time I'm either riding my horses, hiking with my pups, or fishing!
Jackie
Veterinary Assistant
Since she was 10 years old, Jackie knew she would be spending her life saving animals. While she has had good restraint adopting all the dogs, she ended up with 6 cats! First she adopted Phoenix, the formerly feral tortie kitten. Then came Azurite (tortie point Siamese), Florence (dilute tortie), Oliver (tabby), Bootsie (Siamese) and Ottavious (male tortie). She has been heard to call herself a tortie collector, and enjoys the unique coat patterns of each tortie cat. In her spare time, Jackie can be found tending to her plants or exhibiting her love of gems and minerals through making jewelry and cutting stones.
Chloe
Custodian
Testimonial coming soon!