About Us

Veterinarian

Dr. Smith is a graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Iowa State University. Away from the clinic, he balances a busy family household with time for his pets and hobbies: fishing, barbecuing, and saltwater aquariums.

Veterinarian

Dr. Earl earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College and her Doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Earl’s professional interests include laser surgery and wound care. She volunteers to perform surgery at the state fair every summer. Personal interests include pickleball, biking and gardening. She currently has two cats Dublin and Paisley.

Veterinarian

Dr. Josephs is a graduate of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD and received her DVM degree from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to joining the staff at Oak Knoll, she practiced in Richfield, MN for 13 years. When she is not working, she loves to spend time with her husband, son, and daughter, read, and exercise. She shares her home with three cats, Gingersnap, Sebastian & Shrimpton and one dog, Magnolia.

Becky enjoys working at Oak Knoll because we have an enthusiastic and hard-working team and great clients and pets. She enjoys being able to help pet owners take the best possible care of their furry family members.

Veterinarian

Dr. Samantha Gardner went to undergrad at North Dakota State University studying zoology and biochemistry. She then received her DVM degree from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Gardner’s interests include surgery, dentistry, wound care, and preventative care. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors hiking, fishing, playing volleyball and softball, and watching Minnesota sports teams. She has one cat named Pepper.

Practice Manager

Kari has been a part of the Oak Knoll Animal Hospital team since 2007. She has a strong background in customer service and office management. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Crookston with a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and Management. In her spare time, Kari likes to travel and spend time with family and friends and of her course her two cats, Clooney & Lily. She enjoys working at Oak Knoll because each day brings different challenges and at the end of the day it can be so rewarding.

Customer Service Representative

Vicki graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in 1995 as a Veterinary Assistant. She started working at Oak Knoll Animal Hospital soon after her externship and has been here ever since. Vicki has one special cat Vinny and two spoiled dogs Abby and Jett. Since working at Oak Knoll she has become very fond of the clients, patients, and employees of the facility. “I truly enjoy getting up in the morning and coming to my place of business. Not everyone can say that about their job, so I am blessed with that.”

Customer Service Representative

Lori is a full-time customer service representative. She comes to Oak Knoll from outside the industry but has picked up the pace of the veterinary world very quickly. Lori is very personable and outgoing and has a good rapport with our clients and patients alike. Lori has one dog Dobber who she spoils rotten. When asked what she likes most about working at Oak Knoll she had a one-word answer “puppies”. We do call her our resident puppy whisperer.

Certified Veterinary Technician

After 20+ years in Healthcare, Kendra decided to turn her love of animals into a career. She has worked as a Certified Veterinary Technician at Oak Knoll Animal Hospital since graduating from the Medical Institute of Minnesota in 1999. One of her favorite things about working here is seeing the clients and their animals return year after year. She currently has two cats, Izze and Louie.

Certified Veterinary Technician

Robyn worked in restaurant management for eight years before embarking on a career helping animals. After graduating from the Medical Institute of Minnesota in 2001, Robyn began her internship right here at Oak Knoll Animal Hospital. The internship developed into a full-time position, and she has been working here ever since. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, reading, shopping, and playing with her two cats Ozzy & Shelby. Robyn enjoys working at Oak Knoll for many reasons, including her love of animals and getting to work with them every day brings joy to her life, and the work is very interesting and never boring.

Certified Veterinary Technician

Heidi is a 2013 graduate of Argosy University in Eagan, MN and has been a member of our team since November 2012. She did her internship here before being hired on as a full-time technician. While in school, she worked at another local clinic to gain experience and insight into the industry. Heidi has 2 dogs, Eva and Ralphie and two cats Peanut and Wall-E who she enjoys spending time with. I like working at Oak Knoll because everyone is very caring and compassionate. I feel my career as a vet tech is very rewarding. At Oak Knoll, we are one big family, so it makes working together a lot of fun.

Veterinary Technician

Kristen, KD as some of you may know her by, has been with Oak Knoll since mid-2020. She is currently enrolled in Penn Foster working to finish her online schooling so she can become a certified veterinary technician. She does have vast experience in the veterinary industry, however. She has worked in all types of settings, most recently another small animal hospital. KD brings a positive energy and work ethic to Oak Knoll. She has three dogs Chloe, Meeko, and Gramps and one cat Callie. KD enjoys working at Oak Knoll because it’s so close to her home and all the cute fluffy puppies that come visit us.

Certified Veterinary Technician

Kristy graduated from Argosy University in 2011 and has been a certified veterinary technician ever since. Kristy has been with Oak Knoll since October 2021. She comes with a wealth of knowledge as she has done everything in a vet clinic from reception duties to managerial tasks. We are happy she has joined Oak Knoll so she can put all her skills and knowledge to work. She has a great work ethic and will do everything she can to make sure your pet is happy & healthy. In her spare time Kristy volunteers at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, enjoys trail running and tending to her growing plant collection. Kristy enjoys working in the veterinary industry because of her passion for helping animals. Kristy has two cats, Cinco & Maybell.

Veterinary Technician

Kristen has been with Oak Knoll since February 2022. She graduated from Globe University in La Crosse, WI in June 2014 and has been a veterinary technician ever since. She comes to Oak Knoll with a strong background in client communication. She is energetic and always ready to help in any situation. We are so thankful she decided to join our team. She has two dogs, Herman, and Paco and two cats Pumpkin, and Benjamin. ‘I love working in a fast-paced environment where every day varies so there is never a dull moment. Being surrounded by dogs and cats all day isn't too bad of a perk either!’

Veterinary Technician

Angie graduated from Ridgewater College in Willmar in 1995. She started her veterinary technician career in Rochester where she worked until she moved to the Twin Cities in 1998. She then began working in a local veterinary hospital and spent the next eight years working on small animals as well as exotic pets. She has worked at Oak Knoll Animal Hospital since 2006 on and off as a part-time technician. She currently has three cats, Flynn, Cisco, and Simone. “I like working at Oak Knoll because they practice excellent medicine and I like being a part of that.”

Veterinary Technician

Sal is currently in school enrolled at Dakota County Technical College in the Veterinary Technician program. He will finish up his course work this spring. In the fall, he will do his internship and after will take his certification exam. Once he is finished with that, Sal will be working at Oak Knoll regularly. He is very personable and excited to meet your pets. Sal has three cats, Gwynn, Mama, and Ragnar and two dogs, Xayah and Griffin. “I have had a passion for all animals for as long as I can remember. I decided to become a technician to give these animals a better life and Oak Knoll has proved the opportunity to accomplish that goal along with all the great people I work with.”

Certified Veterinary Technician

Crystal joined Oak Knoll in October 2021. She graduated from Argosy University in 2011. Previously she has worked as an Emergency and ICU Technician. She comes to our clinic with an additional set of technical skills that can be utilized in emergency situations. She also has managerial skills and enjoys teaching and training current and new technicians. Client education is very important to Crystal, and she is always ready to go the extra mile to help you understand your pet’s health. She has four cats, Dill, Lucy Lu, Simone, and Neil and a freshwater aquarium that's home to Clamps (Fiddler Crab) and many fish. Crystal loves the vet field because of the many different skills you utilize and different cases you see each day. She enjoys helping preserve and strengthen the human animal bond through medical care, client education, and in general being there for clients. She loves working at Oak Knoll because everyone here is hard working, compassionate, and wonderful to work with.