Dr. Lord; DVM & Practice Owner
Dr. Stacy Lord is a Grand Forks native and graduated from Grand Forks Central in 1999. She went on to college, where she received a B.S. Degree in Biology from Bemidji State University in 2003 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in 2007 from Iowa State University. Dr. Lord is a member of the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
After working at small animal practices in Minot, ND and Ames, IA, she finally made her way back home to be near family and friends in June of 2011. She has a strong interest in small animal internal medicine and dermatology. She has background in large animal medicine (swine in particular), but has enjoyed the indoor comforts of working in a small animal practice and focusing on the human/animal bond.
She lives in Grand Forks with her husband, Nathan, and their 2 children, Nicholas and Nora Jo. They have 2 Golden Retrievers, “Pike” and “Minnow”. She enjoys spending precious time with her family, listening to music, dancing, spending time outdoors, and reading. Dr. Lord purchased Petcetera Animal Clinic in January of 2018.
Dr. Hagen, DVM
Dr. Hagen grew up with two brothers and two sisters on a farm north of Bismarck, ND. She always wanted to be a veterinarian, and remembers the time when her father knew she was going to become one. It was early one morning, in early spring, and Dr. Hagen was up to her elbows in mess helping her father work on one of their cows with a uterine prolapse. With that desire and dedication, he knew she would enter veterinary medicine. She joined the U.S. Army out of high school and then attended North Dakota State University. She received her Bachelor of Science at NDSU in 1983, and graduated with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1987. During her years at KSU, she joined the Kansas Air National Guard. Dr. Hagen returned to North Dakota to work at a private practice in Bismarck for three years, where she also transferred to the North Dakota Army National Guard. She then returned to active duty for four years as a Captain in the Army. During this time, she was a veterinarian for two years at the Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD and another two years at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in Grand Forks, ND. In 1994, Dr. Hagen bought Riverside Animal Clinic in Grand Forks and changed its name to Petcetera Animal Clinic. Since the flood of ’97 destroyed the building on S 3rd St., Petcetera was temporarily moved to Dr. Hagen’s garage. A new building was constructed at 40th Ave. S., and in July 1998, Dr. Hagen and her staff returned to a veterinary setting in the new building. Dr. Hagen is licensed in the state of North Dakota and is a member of the AVMA and NDVMA. She currently has three dogs, three cats and three fish. When a spare moment exists, enjoys taking care of children, golf, and other outdoor activities – if the weather permits!
Dr. Gigstad, DVM
Dr. Gigstad had always wanted to be a doctor, although it was late in high school that he decided that being an animal doctor was the way to go. Dr. Gigstad worked at Rugby Veterinary Clinic every afternoon his senior year in high school through a Vocational Agriculture program. Dr. John Molesworth was his mentor at Rugby Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Gigstad owes him a debt of gratitude for showing him that although being a veterinarian can be hard work, if done with the right attitude, can be really fun and fulfilling. Dr. Gigstad joined the U.S. Army for four years right out of high school, and during his 4 years of active duty in the infantry, he decided that he had better work really hard to get into veterinary school. He started college at NDSU and was accepted after 3 years to Kansas State University where he graduated in 1985. He then worked at Kindness Animal Hospital for 14 years doing mixed animal practice before coming to Petcetera Animal Clinic to work with his wife, Dr. Hagen. He is licensed in North Dakota and is a member of the AVMA and NDVMA. Dr. Gigstad has an interest in veterinary dentistry, behavior and more exotic animals like pocket pets, reptiles and birds.
Dr. Pearson, DVM
Dr. Ashley Pearson is a Grand Forks native who always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. She graduated from Red River High School and later received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology from the University of North Dakota in 2012. She then went on to Oregon State University, where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in 2016.
In her free time she enjoys reading, running, biking, being outdoors with her husband and dogs, and spending time with her family.
She lives in Grand Forks with her husband, Bobby, their two cats Biscuit and Gravy, and their two chocolate Labs, Rylee and Murphy.
Dr. Haage, DVM
Dr. Kerry Haage grew up and went to school in eastern Iowa. During high school he began working at his hometown veterinary clinic and fell in love with the diversity of challenges offered by veterinary medicine. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in biology at Wartburg College prior to attending the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. Shortly after graduation, he moved away from the midwest and spent five years working and living in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Dr. Haage loves the variety that comes with working in a small animal clinic, knowing that each day may be completely different than the last. He enjoys the opportunity to form important, lasting relationships with his patients and their owners.
Dr. Haage and his wife currently reside in Grand Forks with their two dogs; Lucy, a black lab mix, and Sherlock, a border collie mix. Their home also contains a shadow-lurking ankle hunter (AKA cat) named Ramirez.
Judy, Veterinary Technician (VT)
Judy grew up in Grand Forks, ND. She attended school in Minneapolis, which was then called the Medical Institute of Minnesota (the name has since changed). Since graduating in 1981, she has been working in Grand Forks, first at Forks Vet Clinic, then Riverside Animal Clinic which became Petcetera Animal Clinic in 1994. Judy does most of the ordering and keeping track of inventory in the clinic.
Judy and her husband farm North of Grand Forks; they have two grown children.
Lindsey G., Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Lindsey is from Minot, ND and has been a Vet Tech at Petcetera Animal Clinic since May 2010. She graduated from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology. She enjoys spending time with animals of all sorts and seeing them be healthy and happy. Lindsey was not always interested in Veterinary Medicine, but one fateful day while watching Animal Planet (Emergency Vets to be exact), she noticed the people in the background performing certain tasks and began wondering who/what/where/how/etc. It was that day that she learned about Veterinary Technology and from that point on, the rest is history. She enjoys living in Grand Forks with her son and cat, Butters. She fondly remembers Charlie, a cat she gave a home to after he was surrendered to the clinic. Lindsey also enjoys interacting with both the clients and their pets and seeing the bond that exists between them. Working at Petcetera Animal Clinic has been an experience of a lifetime for Lindsey and she has learned that “Pets are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.”
LaRhea, Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
LaRhea is a native of Grand Forks, ND. After graduating from the University of North Dakota with her BA in Sociology, LaRhea moved to Fort Collins, CO. There, she discovered the Veterinary Technician program at Front Range Community College. She decided to purse this field as supporting animals, both spiritually and medically, has always been a strong pillar of interest. After completing her internship at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, LaRhea received a managerial job opportunity in Plymouth, Massachusetts. There, she spent two years as Director of PetNursing, Office Manager, and CVT in a small animal practice. LaRhea moved back to her home state in 2010. She is a LVT, a member of NDVTA, and is certified as a Companion Therapy Laser and ultrasound practitioner. She is pleased to have become a lead team member at Petcetera Animal Clinic.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains un-awakened.” ~Anatole Franc
Lindsey B., Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Lindsey, a graduate of North Dakota State University’s Veterinary Technologist Program, was born and raised in Chanhassen, MN. She started her career at Petcetera Animal Clinic in June 2014 and became licensed shortly after.
In her free time she enjoys riding dirt bike, hunting, camping, and fishing at her family farm in Lancaster, MN. She owns a small, mixed breed dog named “Penny” and two cats named “Roxi” and “Cici”.
Heather, Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Heather grew up in the Minneapolis area and has always had a passion for helping animals. Her dad was constantly bringing animals home. Growing up she had hamsters, gerbils, dogs, anoles, turtles, bearded dragons, ferrets, mice, leopard geckos, scorpions, a love bird, a rabbit, tarantulas and several tanks of fish. Occasionally a critter that got into trouble in their yard came in for a bit to recover before being released again. Heather moved to Crookston, MN in 2006 and got her Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science/pre-vet in 2009. After that she stayed in the area working retail until she decided to go back to school in 2013. She graduated with an Associate’s in Veterinary Technology from Globe University in Moorhead, MN. After 2 years of crazy hours commuting to Fargo for school while living and working in Grand Forks with her husband, their cats; Pounce, Toboe, and their Siberian Husky Kiba.
Kaori, Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Kaori is originally from Japan and spent her childhood in Malaysia. She moved to the United States in 2006 to attend NDSU for Veterinary Technology. Kaori graduated from NDSU with a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology in 2009. After receiving her degree, she moved back to Malaysia for a few years until she moved back to the states. She started her career at Petcetera Animal Clinic in April 2022.
In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, camping, diving and gardening, just to name a few. Kaori has a handsome Border Collie mix named Chip and 2 cats named “Dora” who loves to scream for food and “Koyuki” who knows how to catch treats in the air and play fetch.
Joelle, Veterinary Assistant
Joelle grew up in a small town- Alvarado, Minnesota. She has always had a passion for animals. After working at an animal shelter she knew she loved helping animals and their wellbeing. She went to University of Minnesota-Crookston for Animal Science with an emphasis in Pre-Vet for a semester and half, but then learned that this school wasn’t for her. Joelle then got certified for dog grooming and started her own little business. She loved the experience but wanted to find a job at a vet clinic. She started at Petcetera at the end of April in 2021 as a vet assistant. She moved from the farm to the city of Grand Forks in Spring of 2022. She spends her free-time traveling and spending time with her animals and family. She is currently taking classes through the online Veterinary Technician program through Dallas College in Texas. Joelle is excited to become a licensed technician!
Joelle has an English Springer Spaniel named Fleetwood and a cat named Herb that live with her. She has 3 cats that live on the farm: Penelope, Simba, and Keanu. Joelle is excited to build a future in the veterinary medicine world!
Sydney, DVM Student/Vet Assistant
Sydney is a Grand Forks native who has always been passionate about animals. She grew up with family cats and always wanted to be the one bringing them to their vet visits. After graduating from Red River High School, she moved to Fargo, ND where she studied at North Dakota State University and graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences.
After her graduation from NDSU, she moved to St. Paul, MN to pursue her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Minnesota and is on track to graduate in 2025. During school, she enjoys her medicine and surgery courses and loves coming back to the clinic to apply the things she’s learned during school breaks.
Sydney has a Maine Coon cat, Nala, who travels between Grand Forks and the cities with her. In her free time she enjoys going to the lake, knitting, and playing video games.
Heidi, Office Manager
Heidi has been working at Petcetera Animal Clinic as a Client Relations Specialist from 2004 until 2017. In 2018, she accepted the position of Office Manager. The Petcetera Animal Clinic Staff & Clients are her second family (since she spends most of her time here at the clinic). She enjoys getting to play with the patients, visiting with the clients, and laughing with her co-workers.
Outside of Petcetera Animal Clinic, her husband and she share a home with three children and two cats. Her kids love to hear the daily stories about her clinic life and her daughter is already practicing to become the next generation of Client Relations Specialists at Petcetera Animal Clinic. Her two fur babies are not as excited to hear the clinic stories, however, they enjoy sniffing the many new smells she comes home with!
Along with having three kiddos, Heidi welcomed a new cat “MeMe” who was surrendered to the clinic. Her older kitty, “Honey”, is a free spirit who doesn’t answer to anyone and runs the house (literally)!
Kassie, Client Relations Specialist
Born and raised in Grand Forks, Kassie always had a passion for animals, growing up she had a cat named “Rufus” and a rabbit named “Hopper”.
Kassie and her husband started a family in 2008 when they purchased a Beagle, “Riley”. They had a baby in Feb of 2015 as well as got married in August of 2015. They added another baby in March of 2017 as well as a kitten in December 2017. Recently they added another wonderful dog to their home. They are enjoying their family of 7. In her free time Kassie enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and shopping.
Kassie has been a Client Relations Specialist at Petcetera since August of 2012.
