Meet Our Team
Providing Services Since 1975 | MVMA Member | Emergency Care Available
Providing Services Since 1975
MVMA Member
Emergency Care Available
Meet Our Friendly Staff Today
Dr. Ryan Dutton, DVM
Dr. Dutton has been a proud owner of Brainerd Animal Hospital since 2018.
Dr. Dutton graduated from Iowa State University in 2015. He spent 3 years in Grand Rapids, MN before taking over Brainerd Animal Hospital from Dr. Gary Lippo.
His professional interests include preventative medicine, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, and internal medicine. Most of all he enjoys building a strong veterinary/client/patient relationship and providing high-quality, compassionate care to all his patients.
When not attending to his patients, Dr. Dutton enjoys spending his free time on the lake or in the woods with his wife, Kelly, and 4 year old son, Rhett. He is also a big Minnesota sports fan and enjoys playing in the local softball and volleyball leagues.
Dr. Stacy Melzer, DVM
Dr. Melzer is a Minnesotan through and through - Growing up on a farm in New Ulm, Minnesota, then graduating from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. Her special interests include fear-free veterinary visits, preventative medicine, internal medicine, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery.
Outside of the clinic, you may find Dr. Melzer spending time with her husband, Bryan, and 4 dogs (Scout- Weimaraner, Maple, and Dot - 2 French Bulldogs, and Ash- Slovakian Roughed Coated Pointer), on the lake, in the woods, reading, or at CrossFit.
Kristy Crocker
Lead Certified Veterinary Technician, Fear Free Certified Professional
Kristy has been with Brainerd Animal Hospital since 2011 when she graduated with honors from Minnesota School of Business. She has a passion for continuing her education in veterinary medicine and sharing that education with her coworkers and clients to help them better care for their pets. She has a particular interest in preventative medicine and nutrition. Kristy is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology and a certificate in practice management from St. Petersburg College.
Kristy and her husband currently have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 5 goats, 1 rabbit, and 13 birds. Kristy loves spending time training with her dogs in nose work and agility. In her down time, she enjoys spending time with her husband while being outside in the summer gardening, hiking, and mountain biking, then cooking and reading for the wintertime.

Sasha Flink
Veterinary Technician
Sasha joined our team in October 2024. She recently graduated from Ridgewater College with a degree in veterinary technology. She is currently living in Brainerd with her two cats, Pablo and S’mores. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends. She is looking forward to learning and growing with our team.
Kaitlyn Boser
Veterinary Assistant
Kaitlyn started working for Brainerd Animal Hospital in April 2024. She grew up in the Pierz area and is currently living on a hobby farm with her husband, Tyler. They have 4 dogs, 3 parakeets, 4 horses, 17 chickens and 8 cats. When Kaitlyn's not working, she loves going horseback riding, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends. She has always had a passion for working with people and animals. Kaitlyn is grateful and excited to be a part of the Brainerd Animal Hospital team!
Rosina Colombini
Veterinary Assistant
Rosina (Ro) moved here from California in 2014 to be closer to family before the birth of her son in 2015. While in CA, she worked at a veterinary clinic for 7 years. After coming to Minnesota, she worked at one of the local shelters over 3 years before joining our team January of 2022. She and her son share a home with Tito, a Great Pyrenees mix, and 3 cats. Free time is enjoyed by reading, swimming or spending time with family.
April Wolkenhauer
Receptionist
April grew up in Glenwood MN and moved to Pequot Lakes in 2021. Due to her love of animals, she joined the Brainerd Animal Hospital in May of 2024. She shares her home with her husband Brady and their two labs (Emma and River) and 2 horses (Blue and Cisco). April likes to spend her free time doing anything outside! A few of her hobbies are hunting, fishing, horse riding, and reading.
George
Office Manager
George has been a proud co-owner of Brainerd Animal Hospital since 2019. George came to us as a stray in 2019 and has been our clinic cat ever since. He occasionally finds himself in trouble, but his love for treats and attention makes him a favorite among our staff and clients! A few of his hobbies include napping, doing tricks, and assisting our staff during their lunch breaks.
Share On: