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Our Doctors

Knowledge    Dedication     Skill

Our clinic is fortunate to have three experienced doctors on staff who are

well-equipped to support your animals' needs - large, small, and select exotics.

Kim Zimmerman, DVM

Veterinarian, Practice Owner

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 an 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 for the VA as a dispatcher. We have one dog and two cats. Bakana, our Mini Aussie, is a great advocate for joy. He loves playing with his toys, scent work, fetching arrows, and demanding you do/give him what he wants. Our cats are 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. And 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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Erick Sorenson, DVM

Veterinarian

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.

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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 moved it to the current location at the edge of Townsend.  I can't imagine doing anything else for a living. After more than 35 years, I decided it was time to reduce my role to part time and sold the business to Dr. Zimmerman. We 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 46 years and we have two grown children.  Amanda lives in Virginia, Nik lives in Belgrade and both are engineers.  We have one 16-year-old granddaughter. We have seven horses, two barn cats named Sly and Adele, and 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, Uschi the Large Munsterlander, and Bonnie the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

 

I have many personal interests including participation in the MT Veterinary Medical Association of which I had the honor of being president.  Our granddaughter 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 the beautiful horses that we raise and train. I also ski 50k cross country marathons as a hobby.

 

It has been a privilege to serve the community for so long and I plan on continuing doing so as long as my health and energy allow.

Lane Brush, DVM

Veterinarian

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.

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Our Staff

Expertise     Compassion     Fun

We are lucky and grateful to have a highly devoted team of Managers, Vet Techs, Vet Assistants, Customer Service Representatives, and Kennel Technicians to support our patients and Doctors. 

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Cecelya Stoltz, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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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Melissa Kraft

Veterinary Assistant

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 five 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, three dogs, two cats, and a handful of chickens! Oh, and let's not forget my bees!

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Kelsey Blatter

Veterinary Assistant

My name is Kelsey.  I grew up in Livingston and am from a ranching family. I have worked with animals my whole life and attended Vet Tech school in 2016 before joining the team here at Elkhorn.

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I have two horses, Tye and Buddy, along with my sidekick corgi, Newt and my border collie, Angel.  I am engaged to a wonderful Guy named Drew, and am gaining two wonderful kids, Jesse and Colt.  

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Miranda Garote

Veterinary Assistant

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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Kira Kyung

Veterinary Assistant

Hi, I'm Kira and I’m one of the veterinary assistants here at Elkhorn. I grew up with a plethora of animals and I’ve always had a deep love for them. It has shaped my career path as I began my journey as a kennel tech in '22; developing essential skills and a strong bond with the animals I cared for. In Aug '24, I proudly advanced to the role of veterinary assistant. My passion for animals expands to my personal life as well; I have two dogs, Daisy and Ripley, and three cats, Poppy, Bella, and Nala. Originally from CO, I moved to Montana in '20 but have cherished Townsend as a second home, visiting almost every summer since childhood. 

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Georgia Wilde

Veterinary Assistant

Hi! My name is Georgia and I grew up in Texas and Kansas before moving to Montana after graduating college. Animals have always been a passion of mine as I started volunteering and cleaning kennels in vet clinics at a young age. 

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My partner and I currently have six dogs, three aquariums, two vivariums of dart frogs, a ball python, and a flock of chickens. My free time is typically filled with hiking, dog training, crafting, and binging my favorite sitcoms. 

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Ami Stejskal

Client Relations

My husband Josh and I moved to Montana several years ago.  I have owned cattle and horses all my life and have always had pets.  Currently I have 7 dogs, 2 horses, 24 chickens, a house pig and 3 ferrets.  I have worked in the veterinary field for 10 years, starting as a Kennel Tech, then a Veterinary Assistant, and now to the receptionist for Elkhorn.

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Jenni Hoff

Client Relations

I was born in Kansas and moved to Montana when I was 3 years old.  I grew up in Butte and moved to Townsend in March of 2020. I have always had dogs, cats, and goldfish growing up.  My husband Shane & I currently have a sweet cat named Dexter.
 

I love yoga & have just recently started teaching for a few friends and family at my home before heading to the clinic. I love sunflowers and the Kansas City Chiefs and I am excited to be part of the Elkhorn team & I look forward to getting to know all of our clients and their fur-babies.

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William Kessel

Kennel Technician

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BIO COMING SOON

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Darian Fields

Client Relations

BIO COMING SOON

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Kay Charles

Veterinary Assistant

Hi!  I was raised in Townsend.  We had several dogs when I was growing up.  We raised our kids here. I have been a Veterinary Assistant for 30 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 17 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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Christina Pavao

Kennel Technician

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BIO COMING SOON

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Our Volunteers

You may see our volunteers trotting about during your pet's visit. Rest assured, your pet will receive the personal space they require. Our volunteers fill vital roles in our clinic and complete complicated tasks such as reconnaissance, purring parties, reviewing food orders, and more!

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Millie

Chief of Security

Binter

Socialization Coordinator

Patti & Uschi

Consierge Co-Managers

Bakana

Taste-Testing & Morale

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