Boarding & Grooming Manager
Assistant Manager
Boarding Coordinator
Pet Care Provider
Pet Care Provider
Pet Care Provider
Pet Care Provider
Pet Care Provider
Technician Assistant & Pet Care Provider
Obedience Instructor
Certified Equine Assistant
Dr. Viren obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois in 1982. He and his wife Dr. Cindy Sellin started River Valley Veterinary Service in 1984. Dr. Viren is involved in the Equine and Small animal departments at River Valley. His special interests include dentistry, endoscopy, ultrasound and general surgery in both departments. He enjoys sport activities like basketball, volleyball, adventure racing, and loves to go camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Dr. Sellin earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering and Applied Physics from Cornell University in 1979. She graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois in 1983. She and her husband Dr. Bruce Viren started River Valley Veterinary Service in 1984. Her special interests are canine behavior, geriatrics, performance medicine and dermatology. Dr. Sellin enjoys her passion for horses by competing in combined training.
Dr. Miller obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota in 1992 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota in 1994. She is a native of Prior Lake and returned to work in the area at River Valley in 1997. In January of 2003 she became a partner. Her special interests are canine and feline internal medicine, ultrasound, and preventive care. She is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and helped RVVS become certified as a Cat Friendly Practice in 2014. Dr. Miller has a cat named Blaze and a Welsh Corgi dog named Dexter. Laurie has fun training Dexter and plans to be his agility partner. She also stays active by keeping up with her nieces and nephews, spending time at the family cabin, and enjoying the great outdoors all year long.
Dr. Stephanie Cotten received her Bachelors of Science Degree from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota in 1999. She then attended Iowa State University Veterinary School and graduated with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2003.
She has practiced medicine and surgery in the Twin Cities area since June of 2003. She resides in Shakopee with her husband and 3 boys, 2 cats and 1 dog.
Dr. Cotten has a deep sense of compassion for animals and enjoys educating her clients about their pets. Her professional areas of interest include dentistry, feline medicine and surgery, internal medicine and Fear-free veterinary experiences.
In her free time, when she is not at a sporting event with the boys, Stephanie likes to garden, bake specialty cakes for friends and family and work on furniture improvement projects.
Alexis Wangen is a southern girl and a 2008 graduate from Oklahoma State University. Since graduation, she has practiced in Florida, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Minnesota. Dr. Wangen joined the RVVS team during the summer of 2020. Her favorite part of veterinary medicine is nurturing the human-animal bond and partnering with the client to serve as an advocate for their pet. Her special interests include dentistry, surgery, ophthalmology and internal medicine. She currently resides in the Lonsdale area on a goat farm with her husband and three children. When she is not working, she enjoys working on the farm, cooking southern comfort food, gardening, homeschooling and quilting.
Dr. Jennifer Darchuk earned her Bachelors of Science in Education from Bemidji State University and was a teacher before attending Iowa State University, graduating with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. After graduation, she completed a one-year internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Colorado. Dr. Jennifer is excited to be back in Minnesota and to be a part of the River Valley Veterinary Team! Her favorite part of veterinary medicine is working with clients through every stage of their pet’s life. Her special interests include feline medicine, internal medicine, and geriatric patient care. She and her husband Robert have two cuddly cats, Junebug and Skyler, and a playful mixed breed dog, Dr. Wily. When not working Dr. Jennifer can be found taking long walks with her dog or cuddled up with a book and her cats.
Before joining RVVS, Dr. Amber Myhand O’Leary obtained her undergraduate degree in organismal biology with a minor in leadership studies from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. She then graduated from Saint Matthews School of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 and has practiced in the south metro since. Dr. Myhand loves serving her community through mentoring local students with a science or veterinary interest and enjoys building bonds and relationships with the community and their beloved pets. Her special interests in veterinary medicine include animal behavior, dentistry, preventative care, and small mammal medicine.
Dr. Myhand O’Leary has a toddler at home that keeps her busy at home with her husband. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors with their 5 small dogs, gardening, cooking/baking, and hunting to find the best thai and ramen in the Metro area.
Hello, my name is Jessica Jeurissen and I have worked with the wonderful team at River Valley Veterinary Service as a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2012. I graduated in 2007 from Ridgewater College in Willmar with an A.S. in veterinary technology and have been working as a technician ever since. I love my job and enjoy interacting with the pets and educating clients about them. I live in Prior Lake with my husband, Mark, and our daughter Mara. We have a Labrador Retriever named Benelli and a cat named Susie. In my free time I enjoy gardening, reading, fishing and kayaking. I look forward to working with you and your pets.
Hello, my name is Jenna Braun, I started working at River Valley Groom & Board in 2013 as a Pet Care Provider. During that time, I was going to school to be a Certified Veterinary Technician, graduating in 2016. Working with animals is my passion, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! My husband Derek and I have a beautiful daughter named Emma along with two dogs named Oliver and Chance, and two cats named Hobbes and Hubert. When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I look forward to working with you and your pets!
Hi, my name is Katelyn McDonough, I grew up in the mountains of North Central Pennsylvania and moved to Minnesota in 2013. I’ve always had a love for animals and knew that I wanted to be a part of helping pets live long and healthy lives with their families. I graduated with honors from Minnesota School of Business in 2016, then passed the national certification exam in December of 2016, fulfilling my goal to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. I was lucky enough to have been able to do my externship at River Valley Veterinary Service. That luck continued when RVVS had an opening and invited me to join the team! I live in Shakopee with my husband Brett. We have two rescue dogs; Alastair a Black Lab/Pit Bull mix and Mazikeen a Chocolate Lab/Akita/Border Collie mix. We also have two cats; a Tuxedo named Quigley and an Orange & White Tabby named Sherlock. In my free time I like to spend time with my pets, going to Target Field for Twins baseball games, hiking, cooking, reading and playing my many instruments. I look forward to meeting you and your pets!
My name is Caitlyn, I graduated from North Dakota State University with my B.S. in Veterinary Technology in 2020. I live in Faribault, MN with my boyfriend, Tyler and our two fur babies, Oakley a Lab/Shepherd mix, and Timber who is a Tabby. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, going to the lake, and traveling. I am happy to have joined the RVVS team!
Nicole graduated from Duluth Business University with an associates degree in Veterinary Technology and became a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2013. She worked at River Valley Veterinary Service from 2014-2016 as a Technician Assistant, and a Pet Care Provider at River Valley Groom & Board. After taking a short break, she returned to River Valley in 2020 because she knew it’s where she wanted to be. Ever since she was young, she felt a strong connection to animals, and feels proud to be an advocate for their health and well-being. Nicole is now working as a Technician Assistant at RVVS and a Boarding Coordinator at RVGB.
Nicole lives in Prior Lake, with the two loves of her life- her boyfriend John and her dog Beau, a 9 year old Bichon/Shih Tzu mix. He’s quite the character and makes her laugh everyday! During her free time she likes to watch true crime documentaries on Netflix with a big bowl of popcorn, spend time outside when the weather is nice, sit around bonfires, find new recipes to cook, lift weights at the gym, and spend time with her dog, friends and family.
Hello, my name is Taylor Chemberlin, I joined the team at RVVS in May of 2022. I graduated in 2021 from Dakota County Technical College with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology. I absolutely love working in veterinary medicine where no day is ever the same. I love being able to help educate clients on all sorts of topics and meet all the wonderful pets that come to see us. I live in Lakeville on a small hobby farm where I keep an assortment of animals. I have a German Shepherd named Enzo and a Black Labrador named Kody, two Quarter Horses named Rue & Texas, two Nigerian Dwarf goats named Sister & Marvel, one guinea pig named Spud and four cats named Tigger, Jack, Mr. Goob and Finnegan. Oh, and there are also 19 chickens! In my free time I enjoy going to barrel races, hiking, family time and watching my favorite TV shows.
Hello, my name is Neymi! I joined the River Valley Groom and Board team in October 2017 as a Pet Care Provider. I moved from Florida to Minnesota in December 2013. When I was living in Florida, I worked as a Veterinary Technician while I attended St. Petersburg College and earned my AAS Degree in Veterinary Technology. I currently live in Prior Lake with my husband, Johnny, our two kids, Alex and Emma, and our yellow Labrador, Belle. I love working with animals and I am excited to have joined the River Valley Veterinary Service team. In my free time, I enjoy being with my family, reading, watching TV, and baking.
Hi, my name is Tiana, and I’ve been a part of the RVVS team since 1995, starting as a Kennel Attendant and moving on to working as a Technician Assistant. I have a passion for dog obedience and have become a Certified Obedience Instructor where I teach Pups ‘R Us and Level I obedience classes at RVVS, which I really enjoy. My husband John and I have three daughters, along with two dogs, Rayne, an Australian Shepherd and Silus, a German Shepherd. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, scuba diving, fishing and other outdoor activities including training my dogs in obedience and agility.
Hello! My name is Lisa Kostik, I was a part of the River Valley Team from 1995 to 2005. I am very excited to return after 15 years! Veterinary medicine is in my heart, I have a love and passion for it. I have lived in the Prior Lake area my entire life, and am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing community. I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Flynn Rider; he is our fourth Corgi, the first three are pictured in exam room 3 on the wall. In my free time I like to spend time with my husband Chris and son Alex and of course Flynn. I also like to be out on our boat, put together puzzles, and travel to Disney! I am excited to meet you and your pets!
Hi, my name is Marina Lezer, I am an avid horse and dog lover, and wanted to find a career that involved my passion for animals while also helping pet owners. You will find me at the front desk ready and willing to help all clients who call or walk through the door. I have two Quarter Horses named Quincy & Tiny, plus a Labrador named Murphy. When I’m not working I enjoy working and training with my horses and dog, hunting, fishing and everything outdoors.!
Hi, my name is Lauryn and I live in Savage along with my toddler-behaved cat named Biscuit and a lot of guinea pigs, 7 of them to be exact. Most of them are named after different types of candy such as Reese’s Pieces, KitKat, and Snickers. I am going to school to become a CVT and want to continue my education in the animal and/or science field. In my free time, I like to go on spontaneous motorcycle rides, travel to different countries, and try new local cuisine.
Hello! My name is Jenny Sampica, I joined the River Valley team at the end of 2022. I have been working as a technician assistant since 2017 and am currently in school to become a CVT. When not at work I enjoy spending time with my husband and our four pets – two dogs named Mia and Bogart, a green cheek conure named Petri, and a ball python named Nessie. I am a huge fan of musicals and travelling. I am always looking for a new adventure!
Kathleen lives in Prior Lake with her husband, Dan, and four children, Emily, Allie, Mayme, and Daniel. Kathleen is a Minnesota native, grew up in Bloomington and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth where she received her degree in Communications and Psychology. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is passionate about her four dogs, Carly, Cody, Bella & Rosie.
My name is Stacey McKague, I have worked in the veterinary field since 1993 and have been a Client Services Representative at River Valley Veterinary Service since 1999. My favorite part of this job is witnessing and being a part of the special bond between clients and their pets. My family consists of my husband Brian, my son Nick (a graduate of The Ohio State University – Class of 2018) and my daughter Lindsey (a student at the University of South Dakota – Class of 2024). My furry kid is a Greyhound named Jaime, who was rescued out of the meat trade in Beijing, China and brought here for adoption by Candy Cane Rescue and MN Greyhound Rescue.
Angi graduated with a degree in Communications from St. Bens, and loves to help and guide people to what they need. She has lived in Prior Lake for 25 years with her husband Dave. They have a daughter, Sophie and one dog, Moose. She loves to watch Sophie play soccer. She stays busy entertaining family and friends, and loves to visit Sophie at UW Madison.
Hi, I’m Emily Koch and I’m from Lakeville, MN. My family always had yellow labs while I was growing up, including our current girl Sadie, aka “Smiley Sadie”, she is the sweetest dog! I have always loved animals, especially dogs. When I was younger, I always wanted a Corgi, I’m happy to say that dream came true! Penny is my Australian Shepard/Corgi mix that I adopted when she was 8 weeks old. I am thrilled to a part of the CSR team at River Valley Veterinary Service & River Valley Groom & Board and look forward to building relationships with our clients and their furry family members.
I’m Michaela! I’ve been grooming pets since 1993 and I’m excited to be a part of the River Valley Groom & Board team. I’ve also been showing Sheltie’s since 1985 so one of my passions is show grooms.
I currently have 2 Shelties (Takoda & Hawk), 1 cat (Friskers), and 2 horses (Cobar & Tucker). In my free time I enjoy straw bale gardening, cooking, sewing, trail riding, and going to dog events. I look forward to meeting you and your pet!
Hi, I’m Heather! I joined River Valley Veterinary Service and River Valley Groom & Board as a Professional Groomer in September of 2021. I attended the Animal Academy of Arts and graduated in 2004 and I’ve been grooming dogs ever since! I currently groom dogs under 30 lbs. but love all variety of breeds. I especially enjoy Chihuahuas and Frenchies! I live in Eagan with my daughter Taylor and my Long Haired Dachshund named Nina. In my free time I enjoy naps, fishing, traveling and coffee.
Hi, my name is Christina, I joined the RVVS team in 2011 working as a CSR. I became the River Valley Groom & Board Manager when the new addition opened in 2012. Celebrating the relationship between pets and their people is a passion of mine. I live in Burnsville with my boy friend Ben and our dog Ziggy. When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, riding my motorcycle, traveling, reading, and tending to my succulent collection. I look forward to meeting your pets!
Hello, my name is Lily! I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MN. I moved to Minneapolis in the fall of 2021. From a very young age I have loved spending time with animals. I always had dogs growing up including Black Labs and Cocker Spaniels. I recently got my very own dog, a Dachshund Mix named Prince Poncho, he’s the best! A few of my favorite things to do are petting dogs, spending time with family and friends, camping, hiking, traveling, trying new foods, reading, and collecting p0lants and propagating them. I’m excited to be a part of the team at River Valley Groom & Board and look forward to meeting you and your pets!
Hi! My name is Lindsey and I’ve been with River Valley Groom and Board since July of 2018. I have lived in Prior Lake since I was 3 years old and I’ve always had a passion for animals. I have 2 dogs myself, Abner and Zoe. They are my furbabies! I graduated from Prior Lake High School in 2015 and since then I have been working and attending school at Normandale Community College. In my free time I love to snuggle up with my puppies, read, hike, and spend time with friends and family.
Nice to meet you, my name is Samantha! I’ve lived in Prior Lake my whole life and have always dreamed of working at River Valley Veterinary Service. I currently have an adorable Poodle puppy named Terry. Taking care of animals has been my pride and joy for as far back as I can remember. During my free time I enjoy cuddling with and training my puppy, creating art, and socializing with family and friends. Giving your fur babies not only the best care, but also the most love and fun time possible during their visits is what I always strive for every day!
Hello! My name is Emma. I grew up in the country surrounded by animals and have never known life without them. And though I have had animal friends come and go throughout my life that I continue to love dearly, I currently have two little dog fluffs, a German Shepherd mix and a miniature Dachshund. Despite my passion for animals, I actually have a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in History and a focus in Latin, all in pursuit to become a librarian. Working at River Valley allows me to incorporate all of my passions into one as I get to be surrounded by animals while I continue to pursue my future as a librarian.
Hello, my name is Danielle Paulson! I’m a life-long resident of Prior Lake, MN. I went to college at Minnesota State University Mankato graduating in December of 2017 with a degree in Child Development and Family Studies. I have a beautiful dog named Sunny. She is almost 16 years old and holds a very special place in my heart. My very first job was as a swim instructor at Foss Swim School. Swimming has always and will forever be a passion of mine. I consider myself a mermaid as I love being in the water so much. Next, I was a preschool teacher for a few years at a couple different centers. As much as I love working with kids, I feel my true calling is with animals especially dogs and cats. I love the love that they give, it truly warms my heart. I’m the type of person that loves to try new things. I’m always on the go exploring and being a part of a new adventure. I love to travel, my favorite place that I’ve ever been to would be Italy. I went in high school for a band trip and immediately fell in love. Another passion of mine is baseball. I love the Minnesota Twins. Finally, I love anything Disney. I look forward to working with your furry family members!
Hi, my name is Lauryn and I live in Savage along with my toddler-behaved cat named Biscuit and a lot of guinea pigs, 7 of them to be exact. Most of them are named after different types of candy such as Reese’s Pieces, KitKat, and Snickers. I am going to school to become a CVT and want to continue my education in the animal and/or science field. In my free time, I like to go on spontaneous motorcycle rides, travel to different countries, and try new local cuisine.
I started as an equine client at RVVS some 30 years ago and added canines (and barn felines!) to the mix soon after that. In that time RVVS has helped us care for four horses, nine dogs and at least six barn cats (all strays).
We took our first two dogs to RVVS for puppy and beginner obedience classes; our first two Rottweilers (Perry Mason & Della Street) got a great start with Dan Lively who was the instructor at that time. Our next dogs were breeder rehomes and then I switched breeds and have had six Pembroke Welsh Corgis over the past 20 years.
Currently I have three Corgis; DDare, who will be 13 years old in April, PPitch, who just turned seven; and her puppy Grammy, who is 2 ½ years old. We compete in agility, herding, FastCAT and tracking and have also (with previous dogs) competed in Rally & Obedience. PPitch just finished classes in Therapy Dog work, and we hope to be certified this spring.
I have been teaching agility lessons and classes for several years and am excited to add my new adventure teaching Pups ‘R Us and Level I Obedience at RVVS. I have had many instructors and mentors in dog sports and am looking forward to sharing my experience and skills with more people and their canine companions!
Michelle joined the RVVS team in 2001 as an Equine Assistant and Client Service Representative. Her outgoing personality and horse skills made her a prime candidate for the job. Michelle works mainly as an Equine Assistant these days but is always willing to wear different hats and help where it is needed. Michelle lives in Prior Lake along with her cat Jasper and cute dog Ivy. Michelle enjoys riding her horses Jesse and Cricket, outdoor activities and dancing when the opportunity arises.
Hi there! I am excited to be back with the River Valley Veterinary Service family as the Inventory Manager. I am still a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) given the opportunity to expand my skills in managing the daily operations of inventory. I have been a CVT and in the field for 21 years. I live in Apple Valley with my husband Andy and our blue-eyed white cat named Luna Mae, and our Doberman Mix Jasper. We enjoy spending much of our time with family and friends in cabins, camping, and taking motorcycle trips. I also enjoy spending time with just my pets of course!
Hi, I’m Haley. I have been a Veterinary Technician since I was 18 but became officially certified in 2012 while working at River Valley Veterinary Service. I have been with RVVS since 2008, but did relocate out of state and took a parental hiatus for a few years. I returned in January of 2023 and loved reuniting with old friends, as well as making new ones. I live in Montgomery with my husband Jake and 3 daughters, Evy, Rowan and Olive. I also have 2 dogs, a goofy Golden Retriever named Ruxin and a sweet Cavalier named Yoyo, a rescued Quarter Horse named Zen, our cat Fetti, and several chickens. I love being outside, horseback riding, playing with kids, reading, and listening to true crime podcasts. I hope to meet you and your four-legged family soon!
