Team Members
Managers
Sophia H. — Practice Manager, BA, CVT
Sophia joined the North Paws Team in July of 2018 as our Practice Manager. Sophia has many years of experience in the veterinary field. Sophia graduated with her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology in March 2008. She became a Certified Veterinary Technician in July 2008. Sophia has worked at 2 other small animal clinics, as well as spent a year in animal research, before finally finding her home at North Paws. During her veterinary career, Sophia has worked in many positions, including Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Technician, Lead Veterinary Technician, Office Manager, and now Practice Manager. Sophia also received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources in December 2013, so she has a lot of good experience working with animals, people, and business.
Sophia is married to her husband Tyrel and they have 3 children together (Rayne, Damon, and Gwenivere). Sophia enjoys reading romance novels, going out to movies/dinner with friends, and crocheting. Sophia likes rescuing older animals, as they deserve love and a good home as well. She currently has a 16-year old dog named Shiro, a 14-year old cat named Fabio, and a 15-year old cat named Farrah.
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 Technicianss
Kristi A. — Lead 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.
Michelle H. — Lead Urgent Care CVT, BS, VTS (ECC)
Michelle joined the North Paws Urgent Care team in January of 2021. This was after 15 years of working in an academic emergency/urgent care setting. In 2013, she achieved Veterinary Technician Specialist certification in Emergency and Critical Care medicine. With this, Michelle brings a deep knowledge of these specialities to the group. But, she is no stranger to primary care, as this is where her career began in the year 2000, which makes North Paws feel like the perfect fit!
Michelle and her husband Nate are pet parents to two spunky Shar-Pei dogs, named Javelina and Hildegarde. Michelle's favorite hobbies are cuddling with her pooches, and embarking on family road trips to find new hiking adventures- with views to sip her beloved coffee too.
Veterinary Technicians
Adrianne A. — Certified Veterinary Technician
Adrianne has always had an immense love for all animals for as long as she can remember. She graduated with her Associate in Applied Science in 2015. Shortly after that, she became a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). She has been in the veterinary field for over 7 years. She has worked in an all cat clinic, mixed practice clinic, and a small animal hospital. Adrianne joined the North Paws Team as an Urgent Care CVT in July 2023.
She was born and raised in Minnesota and now lives in Osseo. She has 3 fur babies at home; one dog and two cats. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hanging out with family and friends, and swimming.
Aline F. — Veterinary Technician
Aline participated in exchange programs and internships in the US studying animal science. In 2017 she graduated from Veterinary School and worked as a General Practitioner in Brazil. When she moved back to Minnesota in 2018, she shadowed Veterinarians in another animal hospital, and became a Veterinary Technician in 2019. She is currently working on getting her veterinary license validated in the US. Aline joined our team in May 2022.
Aline lives in Maple Plain with her husband Andrew, her 4-year-old domestic shorthair Myk, and her 2-year-old pitbull Apollo. Her passions include traveling, biking, spending time with her human and furry family, visiting breweries, and indoor activities, such as visiting museums and other popular tourist destinations. During the summer, she loves to be outside. She will always find time to go boating and be surrounded by the beautiful lakes of Minnesota.
Jade F. — Certified Veterinary Technician
Bio coming soon!
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.
Kali Y. — Veterinary Technician
Kali originally started in the veterinary field working as a receptionist at a small animal clinic. Within a month she had requested to transition from a receptionist to a Veterinary Assistant, and she enrolled at Penn Foster to become a Veterinary Technician. Kali joined the North Paws team as a Veterinary Technician in January 2024.
When she's not at work, she enjoys painting, gaming, and spending time with her girlfriend Kaiti and their two cats, Opal and Minerva.
Karen J. — Certified Veterinary Technician
Karen knew when the time came to choose a career, it would involve working with animals. She has been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 1986. She has spent time during her career working with small animals in different clinical settings. She has a soft spot in her heart for rescue and geriatric pets. Her newest adventure is with North Paws Urgent Care team. She enjoys all aspects of working in the veterinary field and is excited to see the variety of cases that urgent care brings.
Karen is a Minnesota native who enjoys the heat in the summer and manages to survive every winter. In her free time she likes to garden, camp, work on home improvement projects, go on outings with her family, and hang out with her pets, which include her cat Joe Meower and two dogs, Ada and Margo.
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!
Mandi L. — Veterinary Technician
Mandi has known she wanted to work with animals since she was in kindergarten. Mandi's family used to breed German Shepherds and since then she has always had a love for them and dogs in general. Mandi graduated from Argosy University with her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology in January of 2015. She has been in the veterinary field for 11 years and joined the North Paws Team as a Veterinary Technician in January of 2021.
In Mandi’s free time, she likes to go hiking on the North Shore and stay at her friend's inn. She loves to spend time with her family at her cabin and take road trips/travel in her free time as well. Mandi also cleans houses for her friend when she is not working at North Paws. Mandi has 4 animals: 2 Pit bulls, a miniature yorkie, and a black cat.
Mandi just had a baby in November 2022. Her name is Oakleigh (Pronounced Oakley). Mandi is enjoying being a new mama, She loves to just look at Oakleigh and watch her smile and laugh, and she can not wait to watch her grow.
Marissa R. — Veterinary Technician
Marissa has had a love for animals since a young age. Marisaa adopted her first cat in 2012 and then her cat became very ill. This caused Marissa to pursue veterinary medicine. Marissa started going to Veterinary Technician school in 2017, however, that school closed. She is currently in the process of finding alternative schooling to finish her degree. Marissa has several years of experience working at veterinary clinics as a Veterinary Technician. Marissa joined North Paws Veterinary Clinic in May 2022.
Marissa loves spending time with her beagle mix at dog parks. She also loves curling up with her 2 rescue cats.
Michael V. — Certified Veterinary Technician
Michael graduated in 2015 from Ridgewater College, earning his Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. Since then, he has worked in a mixed animal practice and another small animal hospital before joining our team in November 2020. Michael has a strong passion for surgery and is currently pursuing his VTS speciality in Anesthesia and Analgesia.
Michael has a love for running and likes to stay active. He also enjoys playing video games, listening to music, and playing with his cockapoo named Cece.
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.
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!
Jenny Z. — Veterinary Assistant
Jenny started her career in veterinary medicine by graduating from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a Bachelor's in Animal Science. Jenny loves working with animals and fuels this passion at work, as unfortunately she does not own any pets. Jenny joined the North Paws Team in July 2020.
A Minnesota-native, Jenny grew up in Richfield, MN and enjoys traveling, hiking, and binge-watching comedies. Jenny is also an avid nap taker and excited to spend quality time with her new baby brother!
Ravenlynn R. — Veterinary Assistant
Raven has worked in different career fields, but has always been drawn to working with and being around animals. Raven has previously worked with two veterinary practices, gaining lots of experience helping your furry friends in need. She also volunteers with a rescue in her spare time, and is planning to go to school in the near future to become a CVT!
In her spare time, Raven is passionate about all sorts of activities, such as hiking, swimming, kayaking, going on road trips, mini golfing, traveling, trying out new restaurants with her friends, binge watching new tv shows, playing video games, baking, and spending lots of time with her kitty Bella Ruby!