Meet Our Team
Dr. Michele LaFond
Veterinarian
Dr. Michele LaFond received her love of animals from her mother while growing up in Manitowoc Wisconsin. There were always multiple animals around the house, from dogs and cats to tropical birds and fish. Dr. LaFond knew at that point she wanted to become Veterinarian.
Dr. LaFond 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.
After graduation she practiced in her hometown of Manitowoc before accepting a position at the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon in 1997.
In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, reading and spending time with her own dogs and cats. She shares her home with two Havanese, Eddie and Emmit, two cats, Sammy and Ramsey (aka Chubbers) and seven large Koi fish in her backyard pond.
Dr. Michael Gass
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, Abbey, a Sheltie, 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. Waldvogel 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. Waldvogel 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
Hospital Manager, CVT
Kris has been a Certified Veterinary Technician for 35 years now. She joined the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon in 1992. Kris attended the University of Minnesota-Waseca and holds an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology.
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 taught puppy classes for almost 20 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.
Cari 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, Cari lives with her Maltese/Shih-Tzu, Annabelle. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, hiking with Annabelle and managing her instagram account, sweet_annabelle 1111.
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, reading books, camping, fishing, hiking, and was previously a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter and soccer coach for her son. 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: dogs named Lucy and Shiloh, 4 kitties- Hermione, Midas, Casper and Groot, and several foster kittens and puppies at any given time.
Amanda
Client Services Representative
Amanda is a native of the Green Bay area. As a young girl she always loved animals. Her first pet dog Laddie enjoyed coming to this very vet clinic for pet care, so joining the team at the Animal Hospital of Ashwaubenon in August of 2020 was an easy choice.
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. A few 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 Jenga, Scrabble, Rummy 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 in Wausau, Wisconsin where she obtained 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 by 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 deer hunter and outdoors woman who enjoys her time with her family. She enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughter on their hobby farm. Katie shares her life with her 2 house pets, a goofy pit-bull mix named Elwood and her spunky cat, Luke. Out in the barn you can find her many chicken friends and 2 pygmy goats, Cindy, and Tina. Katie hopes to soon be adding some bovine friends to her barn!
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. Jed, a Border collie, likes to steal all the toys and bones; Keith’s four cats’ personalities change by the week, but they all enjoy turning their noses up at new foods.
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 share their lives with a German Shorthaired Pointer named Kit.