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.

Jeanne
Office Manager

Bio coming soon!

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
Lead Client Service Representative

April joined FLVH in June 2021. Deciding to work in Vet Med was not something she could've predicted for herself, but has since found such a fun and rewarding career. April's greatest interests are client education, patient advocacy, and dietary management. When not at work, she enjoys hiking and kayaking with her fiance, reading, photography and gardening.

Maddie
Customer Service Representative

Maddie started working at Forest Lake Veterinary Hospital in August, 2024. She is currently attending school to become a Vet Assistant and plans to further her education to become a Veterinary Technician. Maddie has been passionate about animals since she was a kid, and she's excited to dedicate her time to helping them in any way she can. Maddie and her husband have a small dog named Tucker as well as a guinea pig named Ozzy. In her free time she enjoys going on walks with her dog, reading, and being with friends & family.

Natasha
Customer Service Representative

Natasha joined Forest Lake Veterinary Hospital in June 2024. She resides in North Branch, MN with her husband, daughter and their 3 dogs - two liver spotted Dalmatians, Roush and Zoey, and a Manchester Terrier/Blue Heeler, Scout. Natasha has always had a soft spot for animals. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as being outdoors.

Joel
Customer Service Representative

Bio coming soon!

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

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.

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.

Mackenzie
Certified Veterinary Technician

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. In May 2024, she graduated with honors and was promoted to a full time Veterinary Technician at FLVH. She enjoys the fast paced medical environment of FLVH and the ability to adapt to every role of being a veterinary technician. 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.

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.

Jenny
Veterinary Assistant

Jenny has been with FLVH since 2018 and is thrilled to be back in the field after taking time off to raise her two kids. Jenny and her husband enjoy their hobby farm, breeding registered black angus cows with their beloved cockapoo Juna,by their side. In her free time Jenny enjoys any precious time with her grown children, hiking, gardening, volunteering.

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.

Ivy
Veterinary Assistant

Ivy is a veterinary assistant at Forest Lake Veterinary Hospital and she is currently in school to become a Vet Tech! She loves spending her free time doing outdoor activities, reading, baking, yoga, and enjoying the company of her family, friends, and her beloved bunny Raphael.

Alyssa
Veterinary Assistant

Alyssa is currently pursuing a veterinary technician degree while balancing her passion for animals of all sizes, from horses to smaller creatures. Outside of academics, you can often find Alyssa horseback riding, enjoying quality time with her family and friends, playing volleyball, frisbee golf, and swimming. Her greatest joy comes from spending time with her horses and nurturing a deep love for all animals. She brings a dedication to learning and a commitment to animal welfare, driven by her goal to become a skilled veterinary technician.

Chloe
Custodian

Bio coming soon!

Sir Wilfred Scruffington the III
Mental Health Safety Officer

Wilfred, formally known as Sir Wilfred Scruffington the III started his position as Mental Health Safety Officer at Forest Lake Veterinary Hospital in August 2024. With no formal training for the position he is learning quickly on the job.

His main duty here is to support his coworkers' mental and emotional health. Wilfred provides a listening ear, a wide smile, a wagging tail and endless excitement to see all his friends everyday. Regardless of how the day is going, his happy face and wagging tail are a day brightener.

Other work responsibilities include locating any and all fallen food items, shredding paper, keeping the squeaky toys under control, fetching or using his fancy footwork to keep the tennis balls in line, and helping take the deposits to the bank.

In his free time, Wilfred loves to go for long walks on the beach (long walks anywhere really), visit his favorite coffee and ice cream shops, and spending time with his family.

Wilfred lives with Dr Brenteson and her husband Steve.