Dr. Mike Sasse
Veterinarian/Owner
Dr. Mike Sasse is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. Most recently Dr. Mike has worked as a locum or relief veterinarian servicing Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa where his duties including filling in for other practice veterinarians while they were away on vacation, maternity or sick leave. This experience has given him the opportunity to collect best practices from successful hospitals all over the region. In recent years Dr. Mike also worked for Banfield Pet Hospital and Cascade Animal Medical Center in Rochester. Dr. Mike’s interests include dentistry and surgery. He is passionate about creating a caring environment for pets and providing top quality care for pet family members. Dr. Mike and Dr. Sara married in 2013 and have two chidlren of their own, Henry and Stella, who keep them on their toes everyday. Dr. Mike also has two children, Anna and Will , from a previous marriage where he enjoys spending time with them while not at work.
Dr. Alex Holten
Veterinarian
I’m a Minnesota native having grown up in southern Minnesota. I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2020. After graduation, I spent time working at a small animal private practice in the cities and worked as a relief veterinarian in southern Minnesota. I joined Willow Pet Hospital full time in the summer of 2022. My professional interests include behavior and caring for senior/geriatric pets. I will never pass up an opportunity to discuss behavior and am passionate about improving how we communicate with our pets. My favorite part of being a veterinarian is forming a bond and partnership with my patients and their parents.
I share my home with two Belgian Malinois named Stella and Sonic. Stella lives with me full time while I share custody of Sonic with my parents. When not at work I can be found spending time with my dogs, hiking, cooking/baking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Dr. Anna Arndt
Veterinarian
Dr. Anna Arndt is a graduate from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, she worked in Fairmont with the previous owner and then in Mankato for the last 2.5 years. She is excited to be back in the community where she grew up and is happy to be a part of the Willow Pet Hospital team. Dr. Arndt’s interests include dermatology and internal medicine and meeting clients and patients. When she is not working at the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Tedd who is an electrician and farmer, and three children. The Arndt household also includes two spunky dogs and one cat.
Dr. Christy Stone
Veterinarian
Dr. Christy Stone grew up in western Nebraska and is a 2004 graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she practiced in a mixed animal practice for 3 years prior to moving to Fairmont in 2007. Since she and her husband moved to Fairmont, she has practiced exclusively small animal medicine where she enjoys surgery, dentistry, internal medicine, and connecting with clients and their four-legged families. Prior to Willow Pet Hospital, she was commuting as a part time practitioner to Mapleton, MN. Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys traveling with her family, gardening, reading, and spectating at her children’s events. Her four-legged family includes two dogs (Jeter and Goose), 2 and ¾ cats (Apollo, Oakley, and Murray-the 3 legged), and Merkel, a box turtle hatched in 1981. She is excited to be part of Willow Pet Hospital and looks forward to meeting many new faces here.
Kayley
Practice Manager
Hello! I am Kayley, the practice manager for Willow Pet Hospital. I grew up in Truman, Minnesota on my family’s dairy farm. I graduated from Wartburg College in 2019 with a biology major. After graduation, I worked in various leadership positions that has then led me to Willow Pet Hospital. I am very excited to be in the veterinarian field and helping all our clients and patients along the way!
My husband and I have a couple fur babies of our own. We have two Great Danes, Remi and Ruger, along with two quarter horses, Boss and Flicka. In my free time I enjoy being outside and working on the farm with my dad, horseback riding, spending time with my dogs, and crafting.
Nicole
VT - Veterinary Technician
Hello! My name is Nicole. I started my vet tech career here in Fairmont after graduating from Iowa Lakes Community College in 2017. Growing up I had always wanted to be a vet or do something that involved animals. I finally decided being a vet tech was the career path I wanted to take after changing my mind several times beforehand. I love being able to assist in surgeries and dentals, aid in helping care for both healthy and sick patients and interacting with our clients and their pets. I’m very happy that I’m able to work in the area I grew up in and get to see so many familiar faces along the way.
My husband and I share our farmhouse with our labs, Fella and Gunner, and our kitty Roscoe. We also have four horses – Sugar, Stormy, Honey, and Jaya. We love being outdoors and spend most of our free time hunting, riding horse, and camping. I also enjoy doing CrossFit, crafting, and spending time with my family.
Alyssa
VT - Veterinary Technician
Hey everyone! My name is Alyssa. I was born and raised in Fairmont, MN and was fortunate to have dogs and cats while growing up. I have worked in the veterinary field since 2019 and have enjoyed every minute of it! Working with pets has always been a passion of mine. I currently have a yellow lab named Petey and a cat named Posey. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my two beautiful girls, Harper and Charley, while also going golfing, and fishing. I am excited to be apart of Willow Pet Hospital and to give your pets the care and love they need.
Kaylee
VT - Veterinary Technician
Hi, my name is Kaylee. I began my career as a vet tech in January of 2021 right after graduation from Fairmont High School in 2020.
I was born and raised in Fairmont. I’ve had animals my whole life and have always loved working with them. At the moment, I have two dogs, a German Shepherd named Dozer and a Pitbull mix named Daisy. I also have a cat named Cash. Along with my dogs and cat I have a quarter horse, Quincy, and a mouse, Boba.
I’ve wanted to have a career involving animals ever since I was little, even outside of work I spend most of my time with animals including horseback riding, walking the dogs, having puppy play dates, etc. apart from that I enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Autumn
VT - Veterinary Technician
Hello! My name is Autumn Smart, and I am from Welcome, MN. I began working at Willow Pet Hospital at the end of August 2022. I graduated from the vet tech program at Iowa Lakes Community College in May 2022. While I was in college, I did my summer internship here when it was formally Chain of Lakes Pet Hospital. Growing up, I always had a love for animals and lived in a home surrounded by different pets which included dogs, rabbits, and birds. I soon became interested in a career that would involve working with animals. I more recently had a beloved rat for over two years who I acquired during my time in the vet tech program at Iowa Lakes. I am happy to be in a position where I can help ensure that pets are cared for, happy, and healthy. In my spare time I like to sing, read, write, go to the movies, and spend time outside.
Angie
VT - Veterinary Technician
Hi! My name is Angie. I was born and raised in Inver Grove Heights in the cities and moved down here to Southern Minnesota in 2022. I attended the University of St. Thomas for Biology while volunteering and doing treatments/daily medications at the local animal shelter. I went on to be a Triage Technician at the Animal Emergency and Referral Center of MN in the cities. The commute became too much and I started at Willow Pet Hospital in June of 2023! Animals have always been my passion and I strive to create a positive environment not only for the pet, but also their owner.
My boyfriend and I have 3 dogs: Reba (Golden Retriever), Angel (Pitbull Mix), and Luna (Shepherd/Pit Mix). We also have 6 cats: Freya, Franky, Wrenchy, Colonel Mustard, Clove, and Kitty Boy. In my free time, I like to go on ATV rides, volunteer at the local animal shelter, spend time with our friends in town, or just hang out at home with the animals.
Kristylin Olson
Veterinarian Assistant
Hello, my name is Kristylin. I was born and raised here in Fairmont, MN. I am married to my amazing husband. He and I have been blessed with 9 children and 1 grandchild between the two of us. We live on a farm over by Welcome, MN. Growing up, I had several cats as family pets! And now we have chickens, guineas, ducks, and a dog named Molly, or Miss Molly as I like to call her. In my spare time I enjoy baking, gardening, canning, going for walks and fishing. I love going fishing!! I love spending hours outside even if it's just sitting on the mower, going down to the lake for a swim, or sitting in the boat waiting for the fish to bite. I love animals and getting to know their unique personalities. I'm so excited to be a part of the Willow Pet Hospital family and helping assist with the care of your pets!
Deborrah
CSP - Client Services Professional
Hello, my name is Deborrah. My husband and I moved to Fairmont in 2013 and I started working here in 2019. Before moving to the area, we lived north of Minneapolis where I worked at a veterinary clinic for 12 years. I grew up in Ely, Minnesota and am enjoying living in a small town again. After showing St Bernard’s in confirmation for 20 years, we currently only have one dog at home. And she is enjoying all the special attention and she loves being totally spoiled.
TaLeah
CSP - Client Services Professional
Hello! I live in Truman with my husband, 3 kids, yellow lab, and turtle. I enjoy my time with my familiy, especially fishing or being outdoors. I look forward to learn more about house pets and helping our clients and patients at Willow Pet Hospital!