Meet Our Staff

Dr. Jennifer Yip – Veterinarian and Owner

Dr. Yip graduated from the U of MN in 2002. She’s been working at Pilot Knob Animal Hospital (PKAH) since 2006 and took over ownership in May 2011. She enjoys dentistry, behavior, and educating new puppy and kitten owners.

Away from the clinic, she spends her time with her husband, daughter, son, and 5 fuzzy children (4 cats and a dog.) She also enjoys scrapbooking and doing Japanese logic puzzles (still a high school nerd at heart!)

 Dr. Heather Handley – Veterinarian

Dr. Handley emigrated from Ohio to Minnesota for veterinary school in 2003. Having fallen in love with MN, she decided to stay after earning her doctorate in 2007. She has worked at the Pet Poison Helpline for the past 6 years. Before finding her home at PKAH, she also worked at a Minneapolis clinic for 4 years. She particularly enjoys preventative medicine, toxicology, behavior, and surgery.

At home, Dr. Handley enjoys spending time with her husband, son, dog, and 4 cats. When time permits, she likes to dabble in cake decorating and photography.

Kelly – Office Manager and Technician

Kelly graduated from the U of MN in 2006 with a B.S. in Animal Science. She’s been working at PKAH for over 11 years. She enjoys working here because of its fun and understanding work environment – where individual needs are considered and the job is always rewarding.

She enjoys spending her free time with her family and cats. When she’s not chasing after her daughters, she catches up on her soaps.

Tarek – Certified Veterinary Technician

Tarek graduated from MN School of Business in 2006. She’s been working at PKAH for over 5 years. Don’t be fooled by her quiet demeanor and delicate build, she is a very strong and talented technician. And she can keep us all in line with her infamous eyeroll!She enjoys spending her free time with her 2 dogs and 2 cats, and baking and cooking extravagant dishes (which we rarely get to taste, only hear about!)

Stacy – Technician

Stacy graduated from Globe University in 2003. She’s been working at PKAH for 15 years. One of her favorite parts of the job is talking with our clients. She has a gift for remembering people and their pets and enjoys interacting with them.

In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and friends. After caring for her 2 daughters, she catches up on her favorite TV shows including Hoarder’s, Grey’s Anatomy, and Private Practice.

Ally – Certified Veterinary Technician

Ally graduate from Argosy University in 2011.  She started working at PKAH in December 2012.  Ally enjoys getting to know the pets and their people, and especially loves meeting new puppies and kittens.

Ally has 3 dogs, 1 cat, and 3 rats.  Most of her free time is devoted to them, but she also enjoys baking, reading, and photography.

Mellie – Clinic Cat

Mellie came to live at PKAH in 2010.  Her previous owner was going to a nursing home that did not allow pets. And unfortunately, her owner did not have any family or friends able to take Melissa.  Through the networking of Facebook, Melissa found a new home at PKAH.  Renamed Mellie, she received the preventative medication and surgery she needed and has made herself at home in the clinic.

Cheyenne – Clinic Cat

Cheyenne originally came to PKAH as a stray through impound.  She was adopted, but came back to PKAH after having issues with inappropriate urination because of crystals.  On a special diet, she healed  from her urinary issues, but was not finding a new home.  After several months of being an unofficial clinic cat, she formally joined the ranks at PKAH in Nov 2012.