Welcome, Dr. Megan Schommer
We are excited to announce the addition of our new doctor, Dr. Megan Schommer, on Monday, March 16. Dr. Megan Schommer is a 2010 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Megan completed her internship in exotic companion animal medicine, general practice, emergency medicine, and zoo medicine at Valley Animal Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. Following her internship, she returned home to Minnesota and became an associate veterinarian at Lake Harriet Veterinary in April 2011. We are so honored to have her join our St Francis Animal Hospital team this year.
Megan’s professional interests include general surgery, dentistry, critical care, and exotic companion mammal medicine and surgery with an emphasis in rabbit medicine. She is a member of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV). Megan is also active in the Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services (SIRVS), providing volunteer surgical training to veterinary students at the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota.
Megan lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two young daughters, and a small menagerie including Winnie the Corgi, Taiko the cat, Daffodil the rabbit, Tormund the chinchilla, and Alder, Nokomis, and Caribou, the pampered urban backyard chickens. Outside of the clinic, Megan enjoys camping in the Boundary Waters, running, baking, and playing the oboe with the City of Lakes Community Band.
Why did you choose to enter the veterinary profession? Why do you love being a veterinarian?
My family remembers that I declared at the age of three that I wanted to be an “animal doctor”, and growing up, I put a lot of energy into raising rabbits, training our dogs, and building ever-larger aquariums. After exploring other avenues such as public health, zoonotic disease research, and field research on small mammals, I ultimately came back to veterinary medicine as the best combination of my love for animals, biology, ecology, and medicine. I love observing and improving the relationship between people and their pets, as well as helping to promote animal and public health on a larger scale through preventative medicine. Every day in clinical practice is different and I embrace the challenges that come along which such variety.
What makes St Francis special? Why are you excited to work at St Francis?
St Francis Animal Hospital has a long-standing reputation for excellent client and patient care, high quality medicine, and community engagement. I am excited to join a team that emphasizes compassionate patient care, encompassing everything patients need from their first puppy or kitten visits through their geriatric years. St Francis also has a decades-long history of offering specialized care for exotic companion mammals, and I am eager to continue to provide these unique species with the individualized medical expertise that they require.
“We have known Megan for many years. She is a well-respected veterinarian in the community. She is known for her compassionate care of patients throughout all life stages; the excellent education that she provides to her clients, both in the exam room and via lectures and articles; her specialized expertise in small mammal medicine and surgery; her volunteerism within the veterinary community; and the active role she takes in teaching students, pet owners, and her veterinary team. We are honored to have Dr. Schommer at St Francis. She rounds out our group of exceptional doctors.” Dr. Jennifer Blair
Thank you to everyone who has expressed support throughout our recent changes at St Francis. We are so excited to be able to continue to offer such an array of services at St Francis and to always be at the forefront of providing the very best care for all of our patients. If you have any feedback for us during this transition, please reach out to us at (651) 645-2808 or group@stfrancisabh.com.
Employee Spotlight: Angie Richie, CVT
Each month, we will spotlight one of our team members in order of years of service at St Francis Animal Hospital.
Angie joined St Francis Animal Hospital in September of 2015. She has been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2003 after graduating with her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology from Argosy University.
Angie’s professional interests include working in the laboratory, providing care for our hospitalized patients, providing laser therapy at St Francis Integrative Services, and supporting families throughout their pet’s life, from puppyhood or kittenhood to hospice care and end of life.
Angie lives in St. Paul with her husband Joe; their 2 dogs, Tabby and Chunk; and their 3 cats, Indy, Lola and Munchkin. In her free time, she loves reading, spending time at Como Lake, and hanging out with her friends and family. Angie and her husband are looking forward to adding to their family in April 2020. They are expecting a baby girl.
Why do you love being a veterinary technician?
I love being a veterinary technician because I love helping people to keep their furry family members healthy or care for them when they are sick.
Knowing that I am there to help that special pet get better or continue to maintain health warms my heart. I love being there for families when they need us the most.
Why do you love working at St Francis Animal & Bird Hospital?
I love working at St Francis because of the exceptional care that all of the veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary assistants show the pet owners and all of the pets. Their passion shows through their care; this in turn really helps to comfort the families. I also love that we all work together as a team and are supportive of each other.
Thank you, Angie, for all of your years of service at St Francis!
Happy 20th Anniversary: Dr. Jennifer Blair
This year, we celebrate Dr. Jennifer Blair’s 20th Anniversary at St Francis Animal Hospital. Jennifer began working at St Francis in December 1999 as a Veterinary Assistant. After receiving her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2002, she was hired as an Associate Veterinarian and went on to purchase the practice in December 2006. In 2015, she expanded St Francis’ services to include Integrative Services and Hospice & Palliative Care Services.
Jennifer’s professional interests include geriatrics, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), hospice/palliative care, and pain management, as well as internal medicine, preventative care, and cardiology. She is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA), a Certified Veterinary Food Therapist (CVFT), and a Certified TCVM Palliative and End-Of-Life Practitioner (CTPEP). She is continuing her studies at the Chi Institute of Chinese Medicine in Reddick FL to earn her Certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist (CVCH) certification.
With the addition of Dr. Schommer to the team, Dr. Jennifer Blair will continue to offer care primarily at St Francis Integrative Services. We are able to schedule acupuncture appointments as well as consultations for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) (i.e. herbal therapy, Tui-na), hospice/palliative care, pain management, and chronic medical cases or second opinions at this location. In addition, she will continue to see a limited number of appointments in the general practice on Fridays by request only. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Dr. Blair at either facility, please call us at (651) 645-2808.
Jennifer shares her home with her partner, Matt, and her three cats, Neve, Whitney, and Raven. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys traveling, dancing, music, reading, writing, and spending time with family and friends.
“I have watched St Francis grow and change throughout the past 20 years. Throughout that time, we have held true to our core values of excellence, compassion, dedication, respect, and integrity. We have an exceptional team of veterinarians, technicians, and assistants who work together to provide the very best care for our patients and our clients. Everyone is always striving to learn more and to be on the cutting edge of patient care, allowing us to offer unique services such as massage therapy, acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, laser therapy, behavioral training, hospice/palliative care, and small mammal medicine and surgery.
Every day, I have the honor to work with dedicated, knowledgeable, caring and compassionate individuals who share my goal of providing excellent veterinary care to the pets in our community.
I love this practice, our clients, our patients and our team with all of my heart. Thank you to all of you who have been a part of my life over the past 20 years. I am so grateful to all of you.” Dr. Jennifer Blair
News Briefs
Vote By Jan 31st
Please take a moment to vote for us as your Favorite Animal Hospital or Veterinarian in the 2020 Minnesota Women’s Press Readers Recommend poll.
Voting ends on January 31. Click here to be redirected to the ballot. We so appreciate your support!
PetDesk
We have had overwhelming feedback that you love the new PetDesk system. If you are interested in downloading the app, please click here for iOS devices or here for Android devices. PetDesk allows you to schedule and confirm appointments, order medication refills, and access your pets’ vaccine records and laboratory results.
Schedule
We will be closed on Saturday February 22 for the annual Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) conference. If your pet requires emergency care on this day, please contact the Animal Emergency & Referral Center in St Paul (651-293-1800) or Oakdale (651-501-3766).