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the Doctors

Erick Sorenson

ASSOCIATE DVM

I was raised in Birchwood, a small community on a lake about 20 miles from St. Paul, MN, where dogs, chickens, guinea pigs, a pet pig, and a pet crow were a big part of my life. 

I've always had an intuitive understanding of and love for animals.  I spent two years after high school working various jobs and while ranch handing I discovered great satisfaction in calving work and doctoring sick calves from horseback.  This led me to start pre-vet classes in college and to work for veterinarians.

I graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota in 1984.  I landed a job working for Dr Rhyneer in Townsend and four years later I owned the practice and soon moved it to the current location at the edge of Townsend.  I can't imagine doing anything else for a living.

I offer complete large and small animal general medicine and surgery.  This includes diagnostic exams and tests, routine preventative medicine such as vaccination and deworming, surgeries from spays and neuters to orthopedic repairs, reproduction services for horses and fertility exams of bulls and laser treatment for many conditions and injuries as well as for postoperative pain control.

I've been married to my lovely bride Jackie for 41 years and we have two grown children.  Amanda lives in Virginia with her husband Tim and our only grandchild Rosemary.  Nik lives in Salt Lake City and both are engineers.  We have seven horses, three barn cats named Muffin, Sly, and Adele. We have two house cats. Lilly is a gray tabby we obtained when no one claimed her after she was brought to the clinic with a crushed pelvis.  She is missing a hip but has no trouble jumping to the counter top.  Solig (Norwegian for sunny and pronounced Sooly) was rescued as the only one of a litter in a barn to survive predators.  He is a long haired orange tabby that doesn't care much for grooming himself.  We also have a Golden Retriever named Patti, Benny the Large Munsterlander was obtained when my nephew was deployed and couldn't keep him, and Frankie the blue eyed Mini Aussie Jackie brought home from a horse show and informed me that, "we can take him back if we don't like him!"  :)

I have many personal interests including participation in the MT Veterinary Medical Association of which I had the honor of being president.  Our young grand daughter is now our #1 personal interest.  I've also been an avid hunter, reached a 6 golf handicap and sang in a men's quartet for nearly 20 years.  I'm active in my church and have been council president several times, I'm a 4.0 rated tennis player, I play the banjo, I enjoy the occasional reining horse show I can attend with Jackie and compete on her beautiful horses.  I also ski 50k cross country marathons as a hobby.

I have sold the practice to Dr. Zimmerman and now enjoy working as an employee. I plan to spend more time with family and friends in the next few years.

Kimberly Zimmerman

CLINIC OWNER, DVM

I grew up in Oak, Harbor, WA.  My parents, brother and sister still live in Oak Harbor.  From a very young age I felt a certain personal connection with animals and knew that I wanted to have animals involved in my career in some way.  After doing a research project at the age of 12 I discovered veterinary medicine and decided it was the career for me.

After graduating high school I attended Washington State University in Pullman, WA where I received a Bachelor's degree in animal science.  While attending WSU I started working with cattle and swine and knew that I wanted to work in a rural community.  After taking a couple of years off from school I attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and received my D.V.M. in 2010.

I started working at Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic in 2012. Since I cannot see myself practicing anywhere else, I bought E.V.C. in April of 2018. As a veterinarian I feel that I am advocate for the animals.  They cannot speak for themselves so it is up to me to figure out what the pet needs and how to communicate that to their family.  I have a strong passion for preventative medicine because I want our pets to live long, healthy, happy lives.

My husband, Lee Zimmerman, works here for the broadwater Sheriff Dept as a deputy.  We have 2 dogs and 3 cats.  Kootenai our older Border Collie cross is a happy go lucky gal who just loves to cuddle and go for hikes.  Our younger Husky/Pitbull Cross, Tre,  has only three legs but you would never guess that because he never lets it slow him down.  He is quite the talker as well and will talk back to you if given the chance.  He loves to play with his toys and wrestle with his sister Kootenai.  Then there's Butch our kitty who was adopted from Tufts University when he was 6 weeks old.  He loves living in Montana, especially Townsend, because he has all the mice he can eat.  Next is Munster who is always making trouble.  He loves to cuddle and he loves to be outside.  He is very vocal and isn't afraid to tell you what's on his mind.  Lastly there is Tiger who is a rescue.  He was brought in for aggression issues to be euthanized.  I decided to take him home and give him a chance.  He ended up making a great addition to the family.  He is very outgoing and if he was allowed to run around the clinic he would be in everyone's face saying hello as if he owned the place.

When I am not working I am enjoying the great outdoors of Montana with Lee where you will find us hiking, fishing, hunting, shooting bows, participating in defensive pistol shoots or snowboarding.  When we can't be outdoors you'll find us cuddled up with our animals watching a movie, reading a book or playing games.

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Lane Brush

ASSOCIATE DVM

I was blessed to grow up as part of the sixth generation of a family ranch in Norris, MT. This is where I developed a love for animals and rural communities. I always wanted to become a veterinarian. I worked and shadowed at different clinics, obtained my bachelor’s degree in animal science from Montana State University, and graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University. My wonderful wife Cassidi and I were childhood friends. We welcomed our sweet little Lucy to the world during my fourth year of veterinary school. During veterinary school, we also rescued a Chihuahua-Maltese-Yorkie cross named Gretchen. Gretchen loves the outdoors and is a great travel buddy. She and Lucy are now the best of friends. In my free time, I enjoy church activities, spending time with family, hunting, fishing, long range shooting, looking for antlers, and woodworking.

the Staff

CLINIC MANAGER

Suzie Beck

I was born and raised in Montana and all of its splendor.  I love the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, and boating.

I am Married and two adult Children.

Besides my love of animals, my passion is my family, especially my 4 Grandkids Morgan, Rosalie, Quinn, and Kason.

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Millie

CLINIC KITTY

Hi there! I am the clinic kitty. I came to Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic in October of 2017 as a stray when I was only five weeks old. I had an injured forearm which was later removed because it was causing me a lot of trouble. I decided it would be okay if they kept me here at the clinic - as long as no one bothered me and they gave me my required amount of daily kibble. In my free time I like to catch mice, taste test as many incoming bags of kibble as I can, watch kitty YouTube, and play hide and seek in the warm afternoon sun (especially when the clinic is closing - everyone comes out to try and find me). Occasionally I do enjoy riding around on the staffs' shoulders but mostly you'll find me napping on the warm dryer or on my tower of power in the lobby.

Veterinary Assistant

Kay Charles

Hi!  I was raised in Townsend.  We had several dogs when I was growing up.  We raised our kids here.

Several aspects of the vet profession are very interesting to me.

 I have been a Veterinary Assistant for 21 years and am very familiar with how the clinic is run. 

My husband Alan Charles and I have two children.  Becky who lives in Washington and Brad who lives in Townsend.  I do not have any pets at this time.  I had an adopted cat, Blacken, for 7 years.

Spending time with my family is very important.  We go camping and ride our ATVs.  I also like to watch football and go visit our daughter.

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Client Relations

Chelsey Cazier

I've happily lived in Townsend since 2003. My amazing husband Zach and I live a fun and exciting life with our two girls Kimber and Oakley our newst addition, our son Levi Cash and our fur-babies Waylon Jennings & Peyton. I'm excited to be working a job I enjoy and getting to spend my day caring for and loving on animals.

Hiking, camping, and spending time with my family and watching my kiddos enjoy life is what I love to do when I'm not working. I'm looking forward to working with you and your pets!

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Veterinary Assistant

Miranda Garote

I'm from southern Oregon, I moved to Montana six years ago. I love spending time with my family and just being outside enjoying the beautiful Montana nature. Animals have always been a big part of my life. Being able to work with them every day and learn something new has always been a goal for me. I'm so excited to be able to grow my knowledge of them with the wonderful people I have met here at Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic. 

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Client Relations

Keegan Mayes  

I have lived in Montana my whole life and I moved from Helena to Bozeman and now to Townsend where I have fallen in love with the people and the town. I moved here with my two horses, Beyonce(pictured), Roper and my dog Yodee. In my free time I train and ride my horses and silver smith turquoise and western jewelry. I cannot wait to meet you and your pets.

Client Relations

Keegan Mayes

I was born in Helena, Montana and then moved to Bozeman where I furthered my love and knowledge for horses. I then moved to Townsend to settle down with my 2 horses, Beyonce, Roper and corgi Yodee. I spend my free time training horses, traveling and silversmithing turquoise and western jewelry. 

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Certified Veterinary Technician

Cecelya Stoltz

I moved from Oregon in January of 2020 and with me I brought my mini-zoo of critters; two dogs, four cats, a lizard, snake, and a bunny. While I love all animals, I have to say that goats and alpacas are my favorite patients to see. I graduated as a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2019 and have been in practice for a year now. I joined the Elkhorn team when I moved here in January and I am looking forward to getting to know the community and the pets!

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Veterinary Assistant

Melissa Kraft

Hey! I'm Melissa and I'm a born and raised Montanan who grew up on a large ranch in Eastern Montana. My family of 5 live on our own homestead where we have a milk cow and a few calves to start raising our own herd of beef cattle. Along with those we enjoy our three horses, 3 dogs, two cats, and a handful of chickens! Oh, and let's not forget my bees!

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Veterinary Assistant

Kira Kyung

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Kelsey Blatter
 

Veterinary Assistant
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Ami Stejskal

Client Services Rep 
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Jennie Hoff

Client Services Rep 
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Client Services Rep 

Chloe      

Kennel Attendant
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Christina

Kennel Attendant
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