Meet Our Veterinary Team

Dr. Mark Christenson is originally from Mahnomen, MN. He attended North Dakota State University for his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees and attended the University of Minnesota for his DVM degree. Married to Mishelle Christenson, they have three children. His interests include traveling, golfing, fishing, skiing and hunting.

Dr. Kent Nelson is originally from Evansville, MN. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Morris and the University College of Veterinary Medicine. His interests include sports and the outdoors.

Dr. Hannah Smith is originally from Mankato, MN. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Findlay in Ohio and continued with veterinary school at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Her special veterinary interests include small animal dentistry. In her spare time she enjoys reading and solving puzzles.

Dr. Mackenzie Westby grew up in Dawson, Minnesota. She earned her Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science degrees from South Dakota State University. She attended Iowa State University for her DVM degree. Mackenzie is married to Nathan Petersen. They have 2 girls, Cora and Vivienne, along with a golden retriever, Maisy. She enjoys working with both companion and production animal.

Dr. Calvin Kobluk attended the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan, Canada where he graduated in 1978. He then went on to do a residency in surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College from 1984 to 1986. Upon completion of his residency, he moved to the twin cities area and signed on as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota. He worked primarily in the enquine department from 1986 to 1995. While there he received his board certification in both large and small animal surgery. In 1995 he and his family moved to California where, until 2001, he was a part of the Administration at Cal Poly – Pomona. He worked as a full professor as well as helping to develop the veterinary school there where he also worked a few years as a full professor. In 2001, Dr Kobluk elected to leave the academic evironment and pursue other professional opportunities. he began to practice at All Care Animal Refferal Center, the nations largest privately owned referral practice, where he worked until his family moved back to Minnesota in 2003. Since moving back to Minnesota he has continued to build upon his professional interests and knowledge. He became TPLO certified in 2003, joined the affiliated Emergency Veterinary Service in 2004, and has had 2 articles published in JAVMA (on article on hip dysplasia and one on femoral neck fractures) with 3 more articles pending publication.

Dr. Amy Haarstad visits us from the McKeever Dermatology Clinics in Eden Prairie MN where she started a residency program with McKeever Dermatology Clinics in the summer of 2011. Her previous education includes earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1997 from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2001 from North Carolina State University. Following graduation, Dr. Haarstad was chosen for a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Purdue University, where she successfully completed a year of intense clinical practice. She then worked for 9 years at a private practice in the Twin Cities area. Dr. Haarstad grew up in Maple Grove, and currently lives there with her husband, three daughters, and pets.
Click here to visit the McKeever Dermatology Clinics homepage.

Dr. Nate Rose is a Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon. He grew up in Plymouth, MN and attended St. Johns University (MN) receiving a BA in biochemistry in 2003. After graduating from of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007, he completed his internship training at Tufts University (Massachusetts) in 2008. He came back to the University of Minnesota to complete residency training in small animal surgery with publications in liver and gall bladder surgery, bone healing and biomechanics of surgical implants. He became a Board-Certified Surgeon in January 2012.

In October 2012, AERC opened the Sport & Strength Department, which is headed by Dr. Rose and his surgical and rehabilitation technician, John Nielsen, CVT, VTS (ECC), CVPP. Nate’s professional interests also include canine sports medicine, arthroscopy, neurological surgery and minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Rose has his own business, Minnesota Mobile Veterinary Surgery, with his brother, Dr. Brian Rose, DVM, DACVS, who began working for AERC in July 2013.
Nate and his wife Tarin love spending time with family, including their rescue dog Pixie and their big gray cat Tommee. They enjoy camping, hiking and visiting Tarin’s family farm in South Dakota where pheasant hunting is more than just a hobby.

Dr. Brian Rose is a Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Prior to his DVM, he received a degree in biology from St. John’s University. He completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006. He then undertook a residency in veterinary orthopedic, soft tissue and neurologic surgery at the University of Minnesota, in conjunction with Masters work in fracture biomechanics.

Dr. Rose has authored publications for Veterinary Surgery and the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Rose became board certified through the American College of Veterinary Surgery (Small Animal) in 2010.

He joined the team at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota in July of 2013. Prior to joining AERC, he was the head of surgery at a 22-doctor referral practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His professional interests include orthopedics and fracture repair, minimally invasive, oncologic and reconstructive surgery.

On a personal note, Dr. Rose, his wife, Dr. Michelle Rose, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), and young son are excited to be back in Minnesota. His pursuits outside of work and family include hiking, fishing, skiing, and camping. Dr. Rose grew up locally in Plymouth, and he loves all that Minnesota has to offer. Dr. Rose has a herd of animals ranging from an overly confident Chihuahua from the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico to a three-legged cat from Minnesota and a few geriatric Corgis in between! Dr. Rose has joined AERC to work with his brother, Dr. Nate Rose, who is also a veterinary surgeon. Dr. Nate Rose and Dr. Brian Rose own their own business, called Minnesota Mobile Veterinary Surgery, as well.