Dr. Carolyn Apker received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame, and in 1982, received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota. She realized at the age of seven that veterinary medicine was her avocation and never considered any other career. A member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Hospitals Association, Academy of Veterinary Medicine, American Animal Hospital Association, American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Phi Zeta honor society, Dr. Apker’s special interests include senior pet care, internal medicine, endoscopy and surgery.

Dr. Cassie Engmann received a Bachelor of Science degree from North Dakota State University in 1997 and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2002 from Iowa State University. After graduation Dr. Engmann elected to pursue further training and was chosen for an internship at a large emergency and referral hospital in western Massachusetts. Following that year of intense surgical and clinical practice, she elected to stay in Massachusetts and took a position in the Boston area as an Emergency Clinician at one of the premier Referral/Specialty hospitals in New England, Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital. In 2007 Dr. Engmann relocated to Minnesota and joined Animal Wellness Center in the fall of 2008. Outside the clinic Dr. Engmann is very active training and competing with her Australian Shepherds in conformation, obedience, and agility. Her special interests in veterinary medicine include surgery, canine reproduction, and treating the canine athlete.

Dr. Malia Ireland is a 2004 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine, at the University of Minnesota. During school she was awarded a Friends of the CVM Scholarship and membership in the Society of Phi Zeta. Dr. Ireland grew up in Montana, with aspirations towards marine biology and journalism. She moved to Minnesota to attend Carleton College, and graduated in 1997 with a degree in biology. Dr. Ireland spent several years working as a molecular biologist before deciding to become a veterinarian. Dr. Ireland’s interests include small animal nutrition and dermatology. She is a member of both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Kathryn Ambrose received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University in 2006.  She then continued on to receive a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from MSU in 2010. During her time at MSU Kathryn enjoyed performing research in several areas including aquatic animal diseases of the Great Lakes and veterinary ophthalmology. Dr. Ambrose was then selected for a competitive internship at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where she spent a year practicing in the emergency/critical care, internal medicine, and surgery departments. She is now a proud member of the Animal Wellness Center where she has special interests in internal medicine, dentistry, and advanced imaging with endoscopy and ultrasound. Outside of the hospital, she can be found camping, fishing, gardening, making sushi, or reading a good book!