HISTORY OF MARSHALL ANIMAL CLINIC

The Marshall Animal Clinic opened its facility at its current location in July, 1980. Dr. Bill Maher and Dr. Elmer Reich envisioned a modern clinic office that could accommodate treatment for both small animals and large animals on site.  It was the first in the region to have facilities at a clinic to haul in the large animals for exam and treatment.  At the same time the Parkview Clinic in Marshall, owned by Dr. Mike Healy and Dr. Dennis Somers, merged with the Marshall Animal Clinic to become a regional center of expertise in farm livestock and pets.  Bette Abel, who had been with the Marshall Animal Clinic, was joined by Carol Williams and Sandy Walker from Parkview as staff for the merged operation. Dr. Scott Kuecker, a U of Minnesota graduate, joined the clinic as an associate veterinarian in 1992 and became a partner in 1996.  A Wisconsin graduate, Dr. Pat Bauman, completed a small animal internship at Oklahoma State and worked at Southwest Veterinary services before joining the group as an associate in 1994. Dr. Somers, accepting another position in Sioux Falls, SD left the practice in 1995. Dr. Tracey Westegaard-Gunlogson, an Iowa State graduate, was hired in 2002 and is with us still today. Following long and distinguished careers, Dr. Bill Maher and Dr. Elmer Reich both retired at the end of 1996. This brought significant change to the Marshall Animal Clinic with the addition of new associate veterinarians, additional support staff, and new partnerships and programs.  Minneota Veterinary Clinic was opened in partnership with Dr. Lynn Buysse in 1997 and later became a separate business in 1999. Animal Health Center was opened in July of 1998 as a retail store selling large animal products and equipment and more pet supplies for the clinic.  In 2006 the store and clinic became separate entities with Dr. Healy owning the Animal Health Center and Dr. Kuecker owning the Marshall Animal Clinic. In 2006, many technological advancements were made to the clinic including the expansion of the surgery suite and adding digital radiology.

 Several other associate veterinarians who got their start at the Marshall Animal Clinic brought with them their ideas and outlook which shapes us still. Dr. Scott Lang and his wife Kipling worked here from 1997 to 1999 but left for Waseca, MN in 2000.  Dr. Elizabeth Minion worked at the Marshall Animal Clinic from 2000 until 2002 and then accepted a position in Sioux Falls in 2002. Dr. Karly Ruppert joined our team after graduating from the U of M and a long internship at Dakota Large Animal in the summer of 2017. This brought us back once again to a four doctor practice. In the summer of 2021 Dr. Adam Josephson joined our team after graduating at the U of M. He has a special interest in bovine reproduction and also works at the Tri-County Vet Clinic with his father Dr. Scott Josephson. Dr. Jessica Fox graduated from the U of M and specialized in aquatic animals for a long time. She joined our team in June 2022,  bringing together a diverse set of knowledge, skills and expertise . Needless to say, the last 25 years have been one of evolution and change for the Marshall Animal Clinic. We continue to serve the communities and regions needs with recent improvements to our facility and frequent updates in technology and new equipment.