Meet The Advanced Veterinary Care Team | Blaine, MN

Ross Elton

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Owner of AVC

I was not your typical “I want to be a veterinarian since I was 5 years old” and it was not until I was 25 years of age that I was aware that a career as a Veterinarian was one in which I could excel. This understanding stemmed from my experiences and the constant emphasis on education both from my parents at a young age and from myself as I grew older. 

I spent most of my childhood in Reno, Nevada where I learned to love and thrive in the mountains and the high desert (learned to ski at 4 years of age and was an Eagle Scout by 13 years of age). The continued search for high quality education brought me to high school in Connecticut, college at Tulane University in New Orleans, an additional degree at the University of Idaho and then finally to the Caribbean for Veterinary school. The University of Minnesota Veterinary school was chosen for my clinical year of Veterinary school based on the 35,000 small animal patients seen yearly which was significantly higher than any other Veterinary school in the United States. 

Two weeks prior to finishing Veterinary school in Minnesota, I met a girl who would turn out to be my wife. She forgot to tell me that even though I love the mountains, once you marry into the Midwest, you stay there.  I graduated Veterinary School in 2004 and soon after was placed into servitude to two Golden Retrievers.  

For the last 9 years, I have worked in a fast paced, high quality veterinary practice. While there as the managing partner, I oversaw 17 support staff and 4 doctors I trained 25 new doctors, set medical policies and ensured the practice of high quality empirically based medicine.  My experience while there has created a passion for general practice (I love the new puppies and kittens), dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and pain management/geriatric care.  The pace of the hospital made it difficult to create the connections and bonds that I desired with all of my clients and patients thus Advanced Veterinary Care was born.   I love what I do and try to show this to every client I meet. 

Kristen Barrett

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

As a native to California, the first thing someone usually asks me is, "How did you end up out here?"

I grew up with a strict schedule of classical dance training with my sights set on becoming a prima ballerina. My mom was in the medical field and my dad was a computer engineer so it was no surprise that I also loved and excelled in math and science classes. After realizing that dance was going to remain a hobby (I was too tall to be a ballerina), I decided to attend the University of California, Santa Cruz where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Towards the end of my undergraduate degree, I was not quite sure which career path really would be the best fit for me – physical therapy, infectious disease research, doctor, etc. I then realized that veterinary medicine encompassed all of those interests and more.

After graduation, I worked at a small animal general practice until I was accepted to the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine. Once I moved to Minnesota, I immediately fell in love with the seasons, the people, and my future husband (plus our dogs – German shepherd mix and a Vizsla) and knew that this was where I wanted to settle down. During veterinary school, I worked part time at an animal poison control center where my love for toxicology started/began.

I graduated from veterinary school in 2014, but in order to gain more knowledge and experience, I completed a year long small animal internship at an emergency and specialty hospital in Portland, OR. Even though I loved the excitement of emergency medicine, I missed being able to build long lasting relationships with clients. With the experience I gained from practicing emergency medicine, I returned to general practice when I moved back to Minnesota. I have special interests in toxicology, nutrition, dentistry, and preventative medicine. Becoming a veterinarian was a great way to combine my love for people, animals, and medicine and I hope to prove that with each and every client I work with.

Elizabeth Reed-Harris

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

I was your typical “I want to be a veterinarian since I was 5 years old” and, in fact, I have the preschool paperwork to prove it.

I was born and raised in Colorado but much of my childhood was spent in the Midwest. I spent my summers on my grandmother’s Wisconsin farm befriending pasture cows, raising litters of kittens, and caring for injured squirrels. As the years went by, I attended a canoe camp in Ely, Minnesota (Camp Widjiwagan) and fell in love with the state’s vast wilderness. I also played ice hockey which often brought me to Minnesota for tournaments – even one right here in Blaine.

With my sights set being a veterinarian, I went to undergraduate school at Smith College and majored in Chemistry with a minor in Biology. There, I joined the equestrian team and discovered my passion for riding and my love for horses. Although I loved horses, I have always wanted to work with small animals, and working in a small animal practice during my summer breaks solidified this belief.

When I was accepted to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, I was thrilled to return to Minnesota. During this time, I worked at several different small animal clinics and found a special interest in internal medicine and preventative dentistry. In my last two years of veterinary school, I adopted two wonderful rats, Pablo and Diablo, who helped me realized my passion of caring for pocket pets. I also excelled in my veterinary studies and was inducted into the Phi Zeta Kappa honor society my junior year

I am thrilled to now call Minnesota home, and I look forward exploring the Minnesota back country with my dogs, and partners in crime, Kodi (an adorable Cairn Terrier) & Maxine (a cute basset mix). I absolutely love veterinary medicine and being part of the special human-animal bond and I strive to reflect that with every client I meet.

Katie Harris 

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

I was born in the UK and my family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada when I was six years old. As a result I am a Canadian who drinks an alarming amount of English breakfast tea. I am grateful to have grown up in the beautiful city of Vancouver, BC as I was able to take advantage of the plethora of outdoor activities that are available including skiing, hiking, biking, skim boarding and horse riding. Many do not know but there is a secret little horse community by the name of Southlands in Vancouver, and this is where I lived and breathed when I wasn’t at school.

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia in Animal Biology and here I mostly studied topics associated with animal welfare. While completing my undergraduate degree I was working for a small animal clinic and spent a couple of weekends a month with an equine ambulatory veterinarian. Having decided I wanted to pursue a veterinary career, I applied to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and proceeded to move to the Caribbean in 2019. Spending two years in Saint Kitts was an experience I cherish as I was able to immerse myself in a completely different culture, so different from anything in North America. I then completed my clinical year at the University of Minnesota and graduated in January 2023.

Although far from home, Minnesota has a special charm that I have not felt in many parts of the US. I enjoy the people, the lakes and all the outdoors activities that come along with this beautiful state. Although I miss being near my family, the mountains and the ocean, I am excited to embrace my life in Minnesota with my partner, Jayson and our island mutt, Pacino.

I have a special appreciation for animal behavior and I enjoy working with the furry friends who need a little extra patience from us. I have learned so much in the past four years and I am so excited to put my fresh knowledge to practice, to learn from the amazing team at AVC and to develop long lasting relationships with my clients and patients.

Corinne

Practice Manager and Certified Veterinary Technician

Starting at a young age in Ramsey Minnesota, my parents showed us the importance of pets in family and to care for all types of creatures. From picking up turtles in the road to helping injured birds, my passion for animals was solidified early on.

This love of animals brought me to the Minnesota School of Business where I graduated with an Associates in Applied Science. After completing an externship at the University of Minnesota Veterinary School, I obtained my Certified Veterinary Technician degree, joined a small animal veterinary hospital and flourished. From there, I held a position at a premiere referral equine veterinary hospital, taught college courses to veterinary technicians, and most recently have been a practice manager of a high volume small animal practice in Maple Grove.

I currently reside north of Blaine on a hobby farm with my husband, Zach and our daughters, Maci and Brenna.

We are owned by two dogs, two cats, one guinea pig, a handful of chickens, one donkey and two horses!

I thrive on providing a great client experience coupled with high quality medicine. I not only love the bond with our patients but also their owners. I dream of making a difference on the reputations of bully breeds because I believe they make some of the best family pets!

Hannah

Lead Certified Veterinary Technician

Hannah grew up in Ham Lake with dogs, cats, rabbits and ducks always underfoot. She loved them all and always wanted to be involved with their care. Hannah earned an AAS degree in Office Administration in May of 2013.

She has wanted to be a vet tech for as long as she can remember so she went back to school and graduated from MSB in June of 2014 with an AAS degree in Veterinary Technology. Hannah soon passed national and state certification.

Hannah is thrilled to be working at Advanced Veterinary Care! She says, "I am learning so much every day, and am always endeavoring to improve my skill set. I love interacting with both animals and the people who care for them. I have a specific passion for shelter animals." Because of this, it led Hannah to adopt her Pomeranian named Oliver in March of 2014.

Hannah presently lives in Ramey with her husband, Ryan, their dog Oliver & their cats Matalida & Rigatoni.

Andrea

Certified Veterinary Technician

Andrea is a Certified Veterinary Technician and lifelong animal lover. I currently reside in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, where I was born and raised. My compassion for animals began at a very young age when I taught myself how to care for my family’s outdoor cats when they became ill or wounded. My awareness of animal behavior and overall concern for each animal’s well-being has been undeniable throughout the years.  Over time, my animal rescues became so frequent that I stopped asking my parents’ permission and just started bringing animals home. Once successfully rehabilitated, all were released or appropriately re-homed.

Currently, I have one spoiled cat named Blizzy!

I spend my summers exploring my passion for large animal medicine in the test barns at Running Aces Race Track. I have also volunteered much of my time supervising special needs students at an Animal Science program provided at Century College in White Bear Lake, MN, where I have also been previously employed as an Animal Care Attendant. My volunteer work has also extended to providing top-notch animal care at a large hobby farm in the northern suburbs of Minnesota, aimed at providing a safe-haven for animals in need.

Becky

Veterinary Technician 

I grew up on a hobby farm in Andover, so my love animals started young. After graduating from Blaine High School, I headed east to attend Syracuse University in New York. I graduated from SU with my Bachelor’s in Advertising and enjoyed a decade-long career in advertising, which brought me to agencies in Washington, DC, Boston, and back to Minneapolis.

In 2018, I left the advertising world and joined Advanced Vet Care, as I returned to school to complete the pre-requisites for vet school. Through the process, I launched my own animal rescue 501(c)(3) called Camp Kitten and realized vet school was not my calling. I have since returned to advertising full-time, but am staying on part-time at AVC, because I love this place and these people!

I am back living in Andover with my two small dogs (Ruthie and Morty) and four cats (Trygve, Viper, Mabel and Katydid) - all rescues!

Courtney

Veterinary Technician

Courtney’s career in veterinary medicine began 6 years ago (2018) when an opportunity was dropped into her lap. Courtney grew up in the suburbs of Andover, MN where she had a Doberman and two cats. Courtney was never the person who grew up thinking she would be a veterinary technician, but the signs of a deep love for animals were there all along. 6 years ago, she joined the veterinary community when she accepted a position as a client service representative. Over the years Courtney was able to advance her skills and became a veterinary technician 2 years ago, after realizing her true passion was caring for animals. Courtney has a background in overnight emergency and critical care and thoroughly enjoys working with scared and reactive patients.

In her free time, Courtney enjoys travelling with her husband and spending time with her pets; her male German Shepherd named Koda, her female Border Collie/Lab mix named Faith, and her two female cats named Finley and Opal." 

Dani

Veterinary Technician

I grew up in a small farming town in southern Minnesota. We always had pets in the house, and I had many friends who lived on farms, so I also was able to learn to love farm animals as well. 

I was the little girl who wanted to be a veterinarian and work in the animal industry. While in college at Iowa State University working to obtain a degree in animal science, I worked on a few different commercial hog farms in both Minnesota and Iowa where I grew to love pigs and learned that there is so much more to animal health than just being a vet. Since graduating from college, I have worked in a few different industries related to animal care such as at a doggy daycare/boarding facility and a research facility. While working at the research facility I was able to learn a different set of skills that gave me a different way to look at the world.

I am very excited to be working at AVC where I can continue to grow and learn new things every day.  I get the opportunity to meet different types of pets and people daily. I currently have two dogs at home; "Nova" is a schnauzer and "Grace" a petite pit bull mix.

Hailee

Veterinary Technician

Hailee is an experienced vet tech that has a wide range of knowledge! She is skilled in handling scared or naughty pets, which is a huge asset to have in a vet practice. She is also incredibly efficient and helps to keep appointments on time and ensures the clinic runs smoothly.

She is owned by two dogs; Mercy Mae and Abby Girl. 

Courtney

Veterinary Technician

I was born and raised in Minnesota, and I grew up surrounded by animals. My family has been involved with horses as long as I can remember, so I've had a love for animals since the beginning. Along with the horses, I also grew up with many dogs and cats. We expanded our home into a small hobby farm when I joined 4H in 2013 by adding goats to our list of pets.  I show my horses and goats across the state, and I love learning more along the way. Working with these animals has become one of my many passions due to my time with them and I knew I wanted to incorporate it into my life in some form, so I started working here at Advanced Veterinary Care to get more exposure to the veterinary field.

I am currently unsure of my career path, however I have learned through my time with animals that I love genetics, so I am interested in pursuing a career in genetic research. For now, I am enjoying my time working and with my many furry friends, which includes my dogs: Koda and Lou, my cats: Cinderella, Kitten, Kiwi, and Casper, my horses: Sunflower, Ivory, Juniper, and Iris, and my goats: Katniss, Texas, Melody, Primrose, and Neo

Chelsey

Veterinary Technician

I grew up in southern Minnesota, out in the middle of nowhere. I started college at MSU Mankato for social work but quickly learned that it was not the field for me.  While perusing my AA online, for 4 summers I worked on a commercial hog farm and loved every second of it. I quickly learned I loved working with animals.

I moved to New Brighton in 2019 with my husband and our dogs Ruby + Winston! I then got the opportunity to work at Advanced Veterinary Care. Providing positive experiences and excellent care for your furry children is something that I strive for. I love what I do and am very excited to provide your pet with the best care possible!

 Justine 

Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon! 

Amy

Veterinary Technician

I started out at 5 years old taking horseback riding lessons and began my true love for all animals. I had my own horses and dogs since I was 12 years old and have always worked with horses and small animals since. I love spending everyday around animals and enjoy the learning process of taking care of each pet's individual needs. My other passions in my life include competitive powerlifting, cooking, baking and working with equine athletes.

I currently have a sweet puppy, Vinny! He is a golden doodle.

Maeve

Veterinary Student

I grew up in New Jersey and was fortunate to get involved with many different animals early on in my life. I started riding horses when I was 9 and this quickly turned into an obsession that has followed me since. I was also involved with 4H throughout middle and high school showing both goats and horses. 

I am currently a second-year veterinary student at the University of Minnesota. I received my undergraduate degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences from Clemson University in South Carolina. Currently I am interested in pursuing a career as a veterinarian specializing in large animal internal medicine.

I share my life with my cat, Sitka and my horse, Carlotta. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, baking, reading and collecting houseplants. I have really enjoyed my time here at AVC so far and can’t wait to keep experiencing more and getting the opportunity to apply the knowledge I am learning in class! 

Sarah

Veterinary Student

I grew up on a hobby farm in Michigan where I developed my love for animals. My family brought home any and all animals they could find including a few goats, a singular sheep, and a retired circus pony.

I earned my BS in Operational Research and Computer Analysis from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2016 after which I completed my five-year commitment as an active duty, commissioned officer. During my time in the Coast Guard, I pursued the necessary prerequisites to accomplish my dream of becoming a veterinarian and now I’m working my way towards a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine degree at the University of Minnesota!

I am so excited to be a part of this team and apply what I am learning to help you and your pet receive the best care possible here at Advanced Veterinary Care! 

Cheyenne

Veterinary Technician

Hi, I’m Cheyenne! I’ve been with AVC just a little under 1 year and absolutely love all your little fur babies .