Meet Our Team
Dr. Sara and our entire team are here to serve you and your special pet
Dr. Sara Hooge, DVM, CVA, CVH
Dr. Sara Hooge received her B.S. degree in 1999 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 2004. After graduation, she received a position as a mixed animal practitioner in Worthington, MN, where she practiced for over 15 years. During that time she developed into the lead small animal veterinarian, performing surgery, routine health exams, and being a patient advocate for her clients. Dr. Hooge also practiced veterinary medicine in dairy health and production, swine and beef management, large animal surgery, general equine medicine, poultry medicine and small ruminant medicine.
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For many years, Dr. Hooge has practiced integrative and complementary medicine to improve veterinary care for her patients. Her passion is to integrate western and eastern medicine to provide optimal and individualized care to meet client and patient needs. She has been educated by the Chi institute in acupuncture and herbal treatments.
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Jesse Hooge, Practice Manager
It is truly a blessing to work alongside this awesome team serving Pillager and the Brainerd Lakes community. It is exciting to work within our family business and put the last 25 years of business experience to the test. I have held various management positions in retail, agricultural sales, business development and manufacturing sales. I hold a bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Sioux Falls along with training in Lean Manufacturing and various other business disciplines.
My passion is to help others reach their potential in whatever they do and to find a greater meaning in life. I know God is preparing me daily for the next opportunity to introduce others to his love and amazing saving grace.
Leisure time activities I enjoy are watching sports, boating on our lake and most importantly spending time with my family. To walk alongside my four boys as they grow into men is such a blessing along with supporting my amazing wife.
Kim Knutson, Certified Veterinary Technician, Practice Asst Manager
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Jenny Seltun, Receptionist
Tia Knosalla, Receptionist
Claire Eppelsheimer, Certified Veterinary Technician
I graduated from Ridgewater in 2017 and passed my VTNE that winter. I did my internship and worked at Animal Care Center for 4 years as a Certified Veterinary Technician prior to joining Northern Hope Veterinary Care.
In her free time she enjoy's fishing, hunting, camping and horse back riding. Currently she takes part in a Axe throwing league at Roundhouse during the spring and fall. She loves spending time with her dog Apollo who she adopted in 2018.
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I love seeing pets go from being sick back to being happy and healthy. I enjoy client education and helping them find the best way to care for their pet. I am blessed that I get to work with an amazing group of people who are so supportive and caring.
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Kristen Dehne, Certified Veterinary Technician
Amber Poppenberg, Veterinary Assistant
Shailie Shanks, Veterinary Assistant
Jacelyn Bridge, Veterinary Assistant
Megan Lewis, Veterinary Assistant