Team Members
Managers
Matt R. — Practice Manager
Matt officially joined the North Paws Team in March 2024, eventually taking on the Practice Manager role, but he's been involved with the clinic since its beginning. With 18 years of experience as an embedded software engineer, Matt continues to consult part-time on medical device projects while managing the day-to-day operations at North Paws. Matt's background in engineering might seem like an unusual path to veterinary practice management, but his passion for supporting the team and ensuring the clinic is able to provide ideal care to every client and patient has turned him into a natural fit.
Matt is married to Dr. Coral, North Paws' founder and owner. Together they live in Champlin with their three dogs, including their unusually large corgi puppy, Indiana Bones (Indy). In his free time, Matt enjoys gardening, cooking, and making and trying new cocktails.
Kara H. — Assistant Manager
Kara began her veterinary career working at the Animal Humane Society in Washington. She joined the North Paws Team as a Veterinary Assistant from 2018 to 2021. She had to move away with her husband for his work, but they eventually decided to move back to Minnesota so she returned to North Paws as our Assistant Manager. Kara has a love for both animals and animal people, which includes her coworkers and all of the amazing clients here at North Paws.
Kara is married to Will and they currently have one dog (Ripley) and four cats (Alistair, Tallis, Flynn, and Mason). For fun, Kara likes to play Dungeons and Dragons, go to Disney, and have fun adventures with her husband Will.
Lead Veterinary Technician
Melissa W. — Lead Certified Veterinary Technician
Melissa is a Certified Veterinary Technician and has been practicing since 2001. She has been a Lead Veterinary Technician since 2007. Melissa is Fear Free Certified and Low Stress Handling Certified. She works hard to make every visit as stress free as possible for every pet! Melissa joined our North Paws Team in July 2025.
Outside the clinic, Melissa enjoys watching movies and going on walks at the end of a busy day. She is a proud mom of 2 kids and they keep her busy. Between sports, school, and daily mom life, she is always busy! Melissa has a turtle named Frederick.
Veterinary Technicians
Cayla C. — Certified Veterinary Technician
Cayla earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Ridgewater College in 2020. She began her career at the University of Minnesota’s Lewis Small Animal Hospital and later gained additional experience at a small animal clinic before joining North Paws in 2025. Cayla is Fear Free Certified and is particularly passionate about reducing stress for both patients and clients, often using creative techniques to support a calm clinic experience.
Cayla has a special interest in brachycephalic breeds, inspired by her lifelong love for flat-faced dogs. Outside of work, Cayla enjoys crafting, relaxing at home, and spending time with friends.
Jenni B. — Veterinary Technician
Jenni grew up in Arkansas surrounded by dogs, cats, chickens, horses, cattle, and hogs. She helped several neighbors with their livestock and farm chores while in high school and college. In 2015, Jenni moved to the suburbs west of Chicago where she worked at a hunter/jumper stable as a groom and riding instructor. Jenni moved to Minnesota in 2018 and got her first job with another veterinary clinic where she started at the front desk before being promoted to Veterinary Assistant. Jenni joined the North Paws Team in 2021 and looks forward to continuing to provide quality care and service to pets and their people.
In her free time, Jenni enjoys a wide variety of hobbies from reading, sewing, and drawing to horseback riding, kayaking, and generally enjoying the outdoors. Jenni has also been a part of the musical theatre communities in both Arkansas and Illinois. She hopes to join the local theatre community here in Minnesota when the opportunity arises.
Jenni has three cats: Mason, a buff and white tabby; Elijah, an orange and white tabby; and Monroe, a solid black with no eyes.
Kristi A. — Veterinary Technician
Kristi has always had a love and passion for animals growing up and volunteering at her family's rescue. Kristi graduated college with her Veterinary Technician degree in 2007. Kristi joined the North Paws Team as a Veterinary Technician in January 2021.
Kristi grew up in Monticello, MN and she currently resided in Clearwater, MN. Kristi enjoys spending her time outside going hiking, swimming, or walking. Her animals are her children and they consist of 4 rescued lab mixes and a french bulldog.
Malia O. — Veterinary Technician
Malia started her career in veterinary medicine by graduating from the Minnesota School of Business with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology in 2010. She has been a part of the North Paws team since March 2016. Malia enjoys veterinary medicine because it is an ever-changing and challenging profession. Her career choice also fuels her passion for animals by providing pets with a positive medical experience every day. With her warm welcoming smile, and positive energy, Malia raises the bar for patient care at North Paws. She balances the individual needs of each patient seamlessly all while ensuring each family member leaves with a better understanding of how to take the absolute best care of their fur babies.
Malia is married to her high school sweetheart, Chris. Together they have 2 children (Kale & Isaac), along with a growing fur family that currently include 2 Dalmatians, a Chihuahua, barn cats, and Nigerian Dwarf goats. When not practicing her life-long passion in veterinary medicine, she enjoys spending time with her family and being active outdoors, such as: horseback riding, boating, and golfing. She also keeps busy with her pet sitting and health & wellness side gigs.
Malia looks forward to meeting you and your pets and developing lifelong relationships!
Michelle B. — Veterinary Technician
Michelle grew up an animal and science lover, so she always knew a job in veterinary medicine is where she wanted to be. Her interests in veterinary medicine are not limited to just dogs and cats, as she also enjoys working with horses, cows, goats, and dolphins. Over the years, she has worked in several clinics across the Twin Cities. Michelle graduated in 2011 with a B.S. Degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and in 2019 she graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Michelle joined our team in November 2022 and will be working with us as a Veterinary Technician as she prepares for her exam to become a licensed DVM.
Michelle is a native Minnesotan who loves the sun and sand and is not a fan of the snow. In her free time she likes to cook, bake, kayak, swim, read, hang-out with friends, and travel. While she doesn’t have any pets of her own, she can often be found pet-sitting for others.
Kayla W. — Veterinary Technician
Kayla has been working in veterinary medicine for over a decade, bringing a lifelong passion for animal care to every patient interaction. After attending college in Moorhead, Minnesota, she returned to the Twin Cities to continue building her career. Kayla joined the North Paws Team in October 2025.
Kayla has an equal love for both dogs and cats and truly enjoys working with each species in every capacity. For her, animal care extends well beyond the clinic—it's a lifelong passion that shapes both her professional and personal life.
Kayla is married and has a young child who keeps life joyful and busy. At home, she shares her life with one dog and two cats, all named after fun, nerdy references. In the little free time available, Kayla enjoys movies, video games, hiking, running, crafting, and exploring art in all its forms.
Veterinary Assistants
Jane L. — Veterinary Assistant
Jane joined the North Paws Team as a Veterinary Assistant in August 2020. She has been working in the Veterinary field since 1997, when she graduated from West Coast College of Health Care as a Certified Veterinary Assistant. Jane loves Veterinary medicine because it provides a stimulating work environment and combines her two favorite things: people and animals!
Originally from British Columbia, Canada, she moved to Minnesota in 2011 when she married her husband Mark. Together they have two grown step children, Austin and Marina. Their furry family consists of 2 sibling brother cats named Milo (flame point Siamese) and Gonzo (solid black short hair). Together, Jane and her husband enjoy camping, fishing, boating and Vikings football. SKOL!