2013 Veterinary Team

Dr Jeanie Wilcox is a ’94 graduate of Michigan State University. She has a practice in Gwinn, MI. She has been involved in the UP sled dog races as a vet since 1995…she really likes the green parka! Her interests beyond vet work include her biking, beading, horses, bird hunting with her spectacular dogs and wilderness trips to canoe and camp with her husband, Burt and appropriate critters when allowed.

Jeff Ladd DVM is a 1987 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. He is the owner of Keweenaw Veterinary Clinic in Michigan’s UP. He has participated in Sleddog Medicine/Races since 1990, to include the Beargrease, Up-200, Empire, Iditarod and Copperdog 150. He is a member of the ISDVMA. Dr. Ladd looks forward to returning to the UP200.

Kathy Topham, DVM, CCRT, VSMT, CVMA is a graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine but did not meet her husband in vet school like everyone thinks. Her career in recent years has focused on Canine Rehabilitation Medicine (physical therapy for dogs) and she currently works part time in OH in this capacity, and part time in VA. All those letters after her name just prove she can’t stay out of school, and has gotten certified in Canine Rehab, Spinal Manipulation and Acupuncture. And don’t bother asking, she only works on our four footed friends. No humans.

Phillip Topham, MS, DVM, VSMT is originally from OH, and after living all over the Midwest and Mid Atlantic Region is back in OH. He graduated from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine a long time ago. For the last 14 years he has been working as a relief veterinarian in numerous practices. His special interests in veterinary medicine includes Canine Sports Medicine and loves coming to the UP for sled dogs. Phillip has worked the UP200 and Midnight Run numerous times, and yet is still excited to be returning again this year.

Barb Korte DVM As a graduate of the charter class at University of Wisconsin Madison School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. I’ve enjoyed a long career as a small animal veterinarian. I’ve worked as a relief veterinarian for the past 13 years and travel to clinics from my home base in Sparta, Wisconsin, in the south western part of the state near LaCrosse. Having had the privilege of helping my fellow veterinarians with the 2002 through 2005 and 2008 UP 200 races, I’m happy to be returning this year.

Jeff LaHuis DVM Dr. Jeff LaHuis graduated from Michigan State University in 1995 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a B.S. in Animal Science. Since graduation, he has practiced medicine around the state. Dr. LaHuis is the current owner of Sault Animal Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie. Before purchasing the clinic, he was employeed at a large, 9 vet hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. There he honed his skills at surgery and diagnostic ultrasound. Dr. LaHuis has a special focus on the problems associated with working dogs, from strains and sprains to behavioral problems. Personally he has trained several dogs through schutzhund, inculding titling two of his own dogs.

Thomas D. Gustafson, DVM Since 1994, Dr. Tom has served as a trail vet and chief vet on various sled dog races in the UP and Midwest, including the UP 200 and Midnight Run, Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race, Seney 300, John Beargrease, The G-M Classic, and The Great Trail Sled Dog Race. Dr. Tom practices in Manistique, MI where he co-owns the Thompson Veterinary Clinic(www.thompsonvetclinic.com). He and his wife, Cory, and four children share their hobby farm with animals too numerous to mention individually.

Dr. Nick Vukich has been involved with sled dog sports since obtaining his first husky in the early 1970′s. His interest in the sport and , more importantly, the dogs, carried through to veterinary college where he was given the opportunity to work on a research project during the 1995 Iditarod. He has been an ISDVMA member and active trail veterinarian ever since. Besides working several Iditarods, Dr. Vukich has also participated in many races in The United States and Canada, including: The John Beargrease, UP200, Can-Am Crown, Copper Basin 300, Percy DeWolfe, Seeny 300, Tachquamenon Country Sled Dog Race, The Apostle Islands and others that aren’t even around anymore! Dr. Vukich graduated from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine and currently owns a small animal practice in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dr. Vukich is a past recipient of the ISDVMA Roland “Doc” Lombard Student Research award and the Iditarod Official Finishers Club ” Golden Stethoscope Award”. Dr Vukich is currently a board member with the ISDVMA.

David Gagnon is a 2012 graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison. David has participated with us in the past, but now he FINALLY graduated and is truly a veterinarian. He works at a small animal practice in Kaukauna, WI and stays active through running, biking, canoeing, fishing, and camping. David decided he likes the sled dog world enough to stick it out with us and he enjoys the long days and nights in the cold with the dogs and their mushers.

The Rest of the veterinary team:

Pauline Schroeder

Karen Mallum

Vet Techs

Virginia Crossett, RVT – I am a 1976 graduate of the Veterinary Technology Program at Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky. After 5 years in small animal practice in Louisville, Kentucky I have been a veterinary technician and eventually the hospital supervisor at the Louisville Zoo since 1983. I am an avid hiker and have a husband, a teenager, and one dog. My only experience with sled dogs was a wheeled ride behind a team of Mitch Seavey’s (2004 Iditarod Winner) dogs at his training facility in Seward, Alaska. I was incredibly impressed with these dogs and how they appeared to absolutely love what they do. I am honored and excited to be part of the 2011 UP200/Midnight Run veterinary team.

Beckie Kilvington, CVT Beckie Kilvington has been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 1996. She has been involved with the John Beargrease Dog Sled Race since 2003, AISDR (2009) and the UP200 (2010). Beckie loves the amazing canine athletes that are the basis for the sled dog events and the people that are involved. She is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist and is working on her canine certification in massage therapy as well. In her spare time she enjoys traveling with her husband and step-daughter as well as camping, horseback endurance/trail riding and volunteering for as many sled dog events as possible!

Meghan Marks CVT back yet again for the BEST RACE EVER !!! Feel like most of you guys are long lost friends every year when we meet to look over the pups. Life is pretty much the same as years past. Two sassy Terriers and two cats lay around the house. Need anything just Holler and will be there to help HUGS !

Kris Ausland-Saari, CVT Kris has been involved with sled dog racing since 2009, and this will be her 2^nd year as a member of the UP200/Midnight run Veterinary Team. She holds an Associate of Veterinary Technology degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree from theUniversity ofMinnesota,Duluth. Kris is an Iraqi Freedom Veteran and retired from the Minnesota Air National Guard after serving for 21 years. Her Veterinary experience includes shelter medicine, working on a mobile surgical unit, emergency medicine, small animal practice, as well as rural area veterinary trips to help the less fortunate. She has worked the UP200/Midnight run and Gichigami Express sled dog races. Kris lives inEsko,Minnesota with her husband, two teen-age daughters, 3 horses, 4 dogs, 4 cats and a ferret. In her spare time, she loves to compete in endurance/competitive riding with her horses, camping, trap shooting, golf and watching her daughters compete in hockey and soccer.