Our exceptional team of veterinary professionals at Rice Creek Animal Hospital is here to care for your pets like their own.
Dr. Phillips joined our team in 2018 to round out your Rice Creek Animal Hospital doctor team. Dr. Phillips works full time so there is no doubt you will visit with him from time to time. He joins us with a ton of experience, lots of heart, and a gentle calm demeanor (with this quirky touch of humor). You will enjoy his easy atmosphere with obviously loving heart. Here is a little about him, so you all can get up to speed.
Dr. Phillips should really be called Dr. Phillips (doctor times two!). After earning his biology degree from Macalaster College, he continued his training to receive both a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Human Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of Michigan in the late eighties. You will have to ask him about all of his teaching experience as he taught anatomy and biology courses at all academic levels, many here close to home (who knows… maybe he was your professor?). Heck, you may have even benefitted from his biomedical research in muscle regeneration, wound healing and blood vessel growth. We are working on hearing all the crazy stories from that chapter of his life… human anatomists always have a good tale to tell at cocktail parties.
In those days, Dr. Phillips started adventuring with a Siberian Husky sled dog team. The bond that developed between him and the dogs while standing on the runners through Minnesota winters fostered an interest in veterinary medicine. And who wouldn’t go back to get another doctorate degree? After graduating from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004, Dr. Phillips has been enjoying veterinary medicine ever since. And to make him even cooler, Dr. Phillips used to be the head veterinarian for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon that runs from Duluth up the North Shore of Lake Superior and back.
Dr. Phillips lives in the suburbs with his wife. With his kids now grown, he enjoys the company of a spotted dog named Fredd while he enjoys a lazy afternoon reading or playing the guitar.
Please know, no matter what doctor you see here at Rice Creek, we hope you get the same sensation that we love what we do and are here, simply to keep you and your pet enjoying each other’s company for as long as life will allow.
After practicing in the twin cities for many years, Dr. Heidi Johnson finally landed at Rice Creek Animal Hospital earlier this year (2020). A native Minnesotan, she grew up in Dayton, MN and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from St. Cloud State University. Dr. Johnson received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota in 2007 and has been serving the north metro ever since.
Her professional interests include internal medicine, preventative, senior pet care and fear-free. She values strengthening the human-animal bond and is looking forward to building long-lasting relationships with the clients and patients at Rice Creek Animal Hospital.
While not practicing medicine, Dr. Johnson can be found spending her time with her husband and fur babies. She shares her home with a spoiled dog (June Bug) and four adorable cats (Chewy, Lakota, Ezmae, and Stevie). She enjoys traveling, hiking, boating, reading, hitting up the local breweries/wineries, and catching up with friends.
Dr. Katie Gilbertson grew up in Detroit Lakes, the heart of lake country in Minnesota. She was raised on a dairy farm, now turned beef farm. Amongst the cows, Katie was surrounded by a variety of animals including chickens, pigs, horses, pheasants, and of course cats and dogs. She achieved her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. After college, she started working at animal hospitals beginning as a receptionist and working her way up to a technician position. Eight years later, Katie could no longer ignore her dream of becoming a veterinarian and started veterinary school at Iowa State University. After graduating in 2017, she was excited to move back to Minnesota and started practicing as a mixed animal veterinarian, mostly working with dairy cattle. After a couple of years, Katie decided to switch to exclusively small animal practice and moved to the twin cities. She worked at a local veterinary clinic in the twin cities for the past 2.5 years and recently joined the team at Rice Creek Animal Hospital.
Her professional interests include preventative medicine, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, cardiology and ophthalmology.
In her free time, she enjoys walks with her dog, golfing, playing the piano, kayaking, BBQs, attempting to keep her house plants alive and checking out local restaurants and breweries. She shares her house with a terrier mix (Tucker), a Corgi (Phoebe), and three cats (Koby, Millie, and Milo).
Dr. Jesslynn Jarvi joined the team at Rice Creek Animal Hospital in March 2026. Originally from North Dakota, she has called Minnesota home since 2012. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022.
Dr. Jarvi’s professional interests include internal medicine and dentistry, and she especially enjoys building relationships with clients while providing compassionate care for their pets.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Jarvi shares her home with her two cats, Dilly and Frank, and her partner. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, photography, and playing both the piano and violin.
Jill started with our team in the summer of 2019 and fit right in with the rest of the team. Jill has been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2009. After spending 5 years on the corporate side of the veterinary world, she decided to follow her true passion and return to working in a clinic helping pets and their owners live their best life. She enjoys attending continuing education courses and keeping up on the newest developments in the veterinary field. Jill has also gone through Fear Free® training, which allows her to ensure that patients have the best possible experience when they visit the clinic, something all our team members strive to provide.
Jill took on the role of Practice Manager in January of 2023 and hopes to help Rice Creek continue to help the clinic, as well as people and pets in our community thrive. Jill shares her home with her husband, John, and their four-legged friends; two dogs, Parker and Jersey (both Staffordshire Terrier Mixes), two cats, Bunsen Honeydew and Sprite, and random little critters in terrariums/tanks. When she’s not at work, Jill enjoys hanging out at home with her pets, spending time with friends, and cooking/baking yummy things!
Amanda grew up in White Bear Lake. She was raised with/around animals and would bring home any stray she found. Over the years, she saw how the technicians cared for her animals and this made her want to pursue this career. Amanda attended Globe University for her Associates degree, and became a veterinary technician in 2013. Amanda has always enjoyed strengthening the bond between people and their pets. Her favorite aspect of veterinary medicine is the way medicine is always changing, and how it continues to learn ways to better serve our clients, patients, and community. Amanda resides with her fiancé, Jeremy. They currently have one horse, named Chloe, and are looking to add another after losing Amanda’s childhood horse, Wiley, this past winter. They also have a cat, Spartan, who came to them as a stray and decided he didn’t want to leave. Amanda’s hobbies include trail riding, gardening, attending plant sales, restoring old campers, updating old houses, and curling up with a good book.
Courtney graduated from Globe University in 2014 and obtained her Certification as a Veterinary Technician. She continued at Globe to obtain her Bachelors’s in Veterinary Technology Management. Her interests as a CVT include anesthesia, internal medicine & dental health. Courtney has also gone through Fear Free ® training; she is passionate about making the pet’s visit as stress-free as possible. Her interests outside of work include knitting, camping & relaxing at home with her husband (Steve), two children (William & Mackenzie) and two dogs; Leah (Yorkie) and Annie (Mini Schnauzer).
Amber started working with animals in 2014 when she began volunteering at an all cats shelter. She has also been working with dogs at a daycare/boarding facility for the past eight years. In 2021, she decided to go back to school to join the veterinarian technician program at Dakota County Technical College. Amber received her veterinarian technician certification in 2024.
Her favorite parts about working in the veterinary field include client education, preventative care and learning new things. Amber spends her time outside of the clinic hiking with her dogs, spending time with her family and friends or working with dogs at her part-time job.
Her pets include Sasha (Shepherd mix), Leo (Pittie mix), and Zelda (cat).
Shelby graduated from Argosy University with her Veterinary Technician Degree in 2014. After graduation, Shelby worked as a manager of a boarding facility. Shelby joined the Rice Creek Animal Hospital team in 2020. Shelby’s professional interests include dental care and client education. Outside of work, Shelby enjoys time on the lake and riding the motorcycle with her husband, Zach. Shelby and Zach also enjoy spending time with their two dogs, Mikko (a German Shepherd Mix), Dingo (a Chihuahua Mix), and their cat, Cleo.
Bio coming soon…
Rachel has been a veterinary assistant since 2020 and loves helping pets in her community. While she has a soft spot for all animals, pit bulls hold a special place in her heart. Her goal is to ensure every patient feels safe and comfortable during their visit. Rachel is also fluent in sign language, which helps her connect and communicate with a wider range of clients.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, four-wheeling, and spending time with her family. A music lover and proud Swiftie, Rachel is always ready to share her favorite songs.
Bio coming soon!
Kelsie grew up surrounded by animals in Forest Lake, Minnesota. She spent many years living in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she rescued and fostered many types of animals and showed horses. Kelsie recently moved back to Minnesota with her husband, two dogs (a Black Labrador and a Staffordshire Terrier Mix), and three cats.
Kelsie has a strong passion for promoting pet adoption and is a dedicated pit bull advocate. In her free time, she enjoys boating, golfing, and taking her dogs to breweries. Kelsie loves that her job allows her to help other pet parents in need and meet fellow animal lovers.
Her dedication to animal welfare and her extensive experience in fostering and rescuing animals make her an invaluable asset to the Rice Creek Animal Hospital team.
Randi has always been passionate about animals, bringing a wealth of experience to her role as a Client Service Representative at Rice Creek Animal Hospital. Before joining the team, Randi worked as a Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Assistant. After taking a 17-year break to focus on being a stay-at-home mom, she’s excited to return to the field she loves.
Randi’s life has been enriched by the many animals she has cared for over the years, ranging from an Arctic Fox and Rats to Sheep and a Horse. Currently, she shares her home with a playful Border Collie Mix and a majestic Maine Coon Cat.
When she’s not at the animal hospital, Randi enjoys quality time with family and friends. She also loves watching movies and playing video games.
Bio coming soon!
Phone: 651-483-6128
