Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon in Green Bay, WI! We’re pleased to provide exceptional veterinary care for your pets!
Please call us at (920) 499-0805 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!
Dr. Michele LaFond-Owner, Veterinarian
Dr. Michele LaFond received her love of animals from her mother, who had dogs, cats, tropical fish, a cockatiel and a Bobwhite quail around the house. Dr. LaFond knew at that point she was determined to become a veterinarian so she could help pets.
She was born and raised in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Dr. LaFond moved to Manitowoc with her family in the third grade. After high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin in River Falls to earn her Bachelor’s degree. From there, she pursued her Master’s degree in Veterinary Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and then applied to the university’s School of Veterinary Medicine. She graduated with her Doctorate in 1989.
Dr. LaFond practiced in her hometown of Manitowoc. In the summer of 1997, the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon (known at the time as Roningen-Nyren Animal Hospital) approached her with a job opportunity. She accepted and she became a part-owner in 1999.
When she has time between her duties as a full-time veterinarian and practice owner, Dr. LaFond enjoys gardening, camping, reading, cooking, quilting, and spending time with her many pets. She shares her home with Donzi, a yellow Lab; Maggie a black Lab who has a bad habit of eating rocks; Eddie a Havenese; two cats Sammy and Ramsey; and eight koi fish in the backyard pond.
Dr. Michael Gass-Owner, Veterinarian
Dr. Michael Gass grew up in Wisconsin Rapids with dogs and cats. He has wanted to be a veterinarian since he was in grade school! Dr. Gass is now a full-time veterinarian and part-owner of the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon.
Dr. Gass earned his undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls before attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison to receive his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Gass started at the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon after graduating in 1997 and has worked here ever since. He has a special interest in internal medicine and loves that every day’s workload brings something different. He enjoys building long-term relationships with the clinic’s clients and their pets.
In his spare time, Dr. Gass enjoys fishing, camping and golfing. He lives with his wife, Becky, their two daughters, Katelyn and Kyah, and several pets. The furry family members include Cashew, a King Charles Cavalier; Charlie; a Golden Retriever, three cats named Kahlua, Bogey, and Wynter; two rabbits; a pair of guinea pigs; and a chinchilla.
Dr. Jessie Waldvogel (Hermes), Veterinarian
Dr. Jessie Waldvogel grew up in Green Bay and had everything from dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, cockatiels, and a green iguana. She developed a passion for animal medicine early in life. Dr. Waldvogel gets to work hands-on with the creatures she loves every day. She helps the pets of her hometown as a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon!
Dr. Waldvogel attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to earn her Bachelors’s degree in biology with a biomedical science concentration, working as an Animal Caretaker on campus and as a Veterinary Assistant at a local animal hospital during her studies. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison to receive her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2015, even authoring peer-reviewed publications after performing research in chronic pain management and veterinary ophthalmology.
Dr. Waldvogel returned to her hometown of Green Bay and joined the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon in July of 2018. She likes chatting with clientele about wellness care and behavior, and she also has an interest in internal medicine and diagnostic work. Dr. Hermes likes to say that veterinary medicine is like a box of chocolates. She never knows quite what she’s going to get!
At home, Dr. Waldvogel lives with two cats: Javier, a mischievous black cat who likes pulling open cabinets and drawers to spill out their contents, Jemma, a calico who she rescued from a previous place of employment. When she isn’t doting on her feline companions or tending to pets’ needs at the clinic, Dr. Hermes enjoys playing volleyball and tennis, going for hikes in Baird’s Creek, cheering on the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers.
Debbie-Office Manager
Debbie grew up on a farm where she developed a love for animals, especially cats. She always wanted to work in the animal field and when the opportunity came to work at a veterinary clinic she took it.
Debbie started at the clinic in August of 1989 after finding out from a friend that the hospital was hiring. She began as a receptionist and then worked her way up to the assistant office manager, then office manager. She loves working with her compassionate and skilled coworkers and adores seeing all the pets who visit the clinic daily.
Outside work, Debbie enjoys reading, walking, bicycling, playing computer games, and spending time with her family and pets. She lives with four cats: Turbo, who is very energetic and into everything, Nosey, who enjoys opening closed cupboards and drawers, Cruiser, who is able to master treat puzzles within a few hours; and Dandelion, who is a mischievous little girl who must be watched at all times to prevent her getting into things she shouldn’t.
Kris-Client/Patient Care Manager, Certified Veterinary Technician
Even though Kris couldn’t have pets as a child because of allergies, she had a passion for animals that she couldn’t shake. She promised herself early in life that she would care for animals when she got older. Now, Kris gets to better the lives of pets daily as a Certified Veterinary Technician and the Client/Patient Care Manager at the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon.
Kris attended the University of Minnesota-Waseca and holds an Associate’s degree in veterinary technology. She moved back to Wisconsin after graduation and worked at two other veterinary clinics before joining the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon in 1992.
Kris’s favorite part of her work day is interacting with the clinic’s clients and their beloved pets. She has a special interest in canine behavior and has been teaching puppy classes here at the hospital for almost 17 years.
Kris and her husband, Brian, live with their two sons, Dalton and Drew. The family shares their home with Dillon, a rescued black and white cat and Spike, a kind and lazy German shorthaired pointer. When she can find time between work and her kids, Kris enjoys baking, reading, volunteering for Boy Scouts and other various organizations.
Alison-Certified Veterinary Technician
Alison grew up in the Shawano County area, and always loved being around animals when she was young. Her neighbors had a small farm where she would take care of the calves, kittens, and dogs in her free time. She always knew that she wanted to take care of animals.
In her free time, Alison enjoys going for walks with her two dogs, spending time with family and friends, and reading. During the wintertime, Alison enjoys downhill skiing and ice skating. Alison graduated from the Veterinary Technician program at Fox Valley Technical College in May and joined the team in June of 2021.
Lila-Client Services Representative
Lila was a longtime client of the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon before she joined our team. She has been a member of the clinic since the fall of 2003.
In her spare time, Lila enjoys time with her grandson and trips to Door County.
CariAnne-Client Services Representative
CariAnne began her veterinary journey in northern Wisconsin after being offered a position in a small animal clinic. She fell in love with the animal-care profession.
CariAnne has been a member of the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon family since the summer of 1998 as a Client Services Representative at the clinic and loves working alongside her fellow staff members to best serve the pets and clients.
At home, CariAnne lives with her Maltese/Shih-Tzu, Annabelle. In her free time, she enjoys taking her furry friend for walks, gardening, and heading north to visit her family.
Stacie-Client Services Representative
Stacie spent much of her childhood growing up in the countryside of Seymour. Along with her parents and brothers, she spent time with the family’s horses, dogs, cats, and ducks. She developed a love for animals early on in life! Stacie always knew that she wanted to work hands-on with pets, and she is thrilled to be able to do that as a member of the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon.
Stacie’s worked at a local pet store, where she became a specialist in small-animal, reptile, aquatic, and bird care. Next, she entered the world of dog grooming and would help pets look and feel their best for the next 10 years. She then took some time off to raise her youngest child. She is now a member of our Client Service Representative team since February of 2019 and couldn’t be happier with her choice.
When she is not at work, Stacie likes crocheting and selling her creations at craft shows, reading books, camping, fishing, hiking, and serving as a Girl Scout Leader and soccer coach. She and her husband have three wonderful children. Stacie’s oldest daughter is studying veterinary medicine in college. They share their lives with a menagerie of pets: a dog named Lucy, 3 kitties- Hermione, Midas and Casper, and several foster kittens and puppies at any given time.
Amanda-Client Services Representative
In her spare time she enjoys being with her two children, Emalyne and Wyatt. They take great care of their kitty, Moana and gecko lizard, Handsome. Activities Amanda enjoys are yoga, winery tasting, and traveling.
Lisa-Veterinary Assistant
Growing up, Lisa rescued a wide variety of wildlife and had plenty of domesticated pets. She has wanted to work in the animal field since she was a little girl! Lisa followed her dream and became a Veterinary Assistant at the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon.
Lisa started here at the clinic in June of 2007. She loves talking with clients about their pets and sharing stories about her own pets. For Lisa, being able to educate a pet owner and help their furry friend is the ultimate reward!
In her time away from the hospital, Lisa enjoys riding her motorcycles, going on road trips, bicycling, hiking, camping, and spending time with her pets. She shares her life with four dogs named Yatzee, Jenga, Scrabble, and Twister.
Katie-Veterinary Assistant
Katie has loved animals ever since she was young. She worked with the National FFA Organization during her high school years, which inspired her to pursue a career in agriculture and veterinary medicine. Now, she feels fortunate and proud to care for the pets at the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon as a veterinary assistant.
Katie is originally from Freedom, Wisconsin and attended college to earn her degree in veterinary science. After her schooling, she started a job on a dairy farm as the assistant dairy farm manager where she got to work hands-on with her favorite animals, cows! Next Katie decided to transition into companion animal pets. She was hired on with the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon team in July of 2016; and now serves pets on a daily basis as a veterinary assistant.
Away from the hospital, Katie is an avid hunter and outdoors woman and also enjoys playing cards with her family. She loves spending quality time with her husband, family and pets at home. Katie shares her life with her two cats named Angel and Luke, a goofy pit-bull mix named Elwood, and her 7 chickens! She hopes to soon be able to add some livestock to her resume of pets!
Alexa-Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon…
Keith-Certified Veterinary Technician
Keith grew up in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He has quite an appreciation for nature and an intense love for animals. Now, he gets to care for the pets as a Certified Veterinary Technician!
Keith graduated from Madison Area Technical College in 1990, becoming a certified Veterinary Technician. It was through his internships, working with both small and large animals, that he found he enjoyed the interaction with pets and their families. Keith worked in Manitowoc as a Technician before serving at a red deer farm in Denmark, then built a house north of Green Bay and signed up at the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon in 1996!
Keith particularly likes working in the laboratory and being able to discover things through the microscope to help the veterinarians. He’s also interested in surgery and loves using his skills to their fullest potential to better the lives of pets in need.
In his spare time, Keith enjoys walking, fishing, hunting, and practicing meditation and yoga. He lives with his wife Jeanna and their many pets. Vinny is a Border collie who is very skilled at catching a Frisbee; Jed, also a Border collie, likes to steal all of the toys and bones; Keith’s four cats’ personalities change by the week, but they all enjoy turning their noses up at new foods.
Jennifer-Certified Veterinary Technician
Jennifer has wanted to work in the veterinary field for as long as she can remember. She has fostered many animals, and the joy she receives from seeing them find loving homes is very fulfilling!
Jennifer grew up in the Fox Valley area, where she signed on at a local boarding and grooming kennel while still in high school. When she learned about the Veterinary Technician profession, she knew she’d found her true calling. Jennifer attended Madison Area Technician College to become a Certified Veterinary Technician.
Jennifer took a position at the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon in August of 2012. She’s fond of wellness care, client education, weight management, and senior pet care. In addition to her duties as a Technician, Jennifer loves jumping in to help out her fellow staff members as a Veterinary Assistant or Client Services Representative when needed.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys fishing, crocheting, gardening, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Kevin, live with their three sons, and a Doberman named Shaye.
Diana-Certified Veterinary Technician
Diana grew up with a dog in her family’s southern Milwaukee home. It wasn’t until she started volunteering at the Wisconsin Humane Society as a dog walker and foster mom that she fell in love with pets. She knew ever since that she wanted to spend her days helping animals live the happiest, healthiest lives they could. Diana decided to become a Veterinary Technician!
Diana knew that she wanted to become a Veterinary Technician just like the Techs that had taught her so much. She enrolled in the veterinary technology program at Madison Area Technical College and graduated in 2004. She has been a Certified Veterinary Technician ever since! Diana joined the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon in September of 2019 and is excited to continue caring for the pets and animal owners of this area.
When she’s not at work, Diana likes fishing, camping, and relaxing at her family’s cabin. She and her husband have a daughter and also share their lives with a loveable Husky/Malamute mix named Brutus.
