Our Veterinarians
The veterinarians at Westgate Pet Clinic are progressive, knowledgeable and compassionate. With 10 veterinarians, we have combined over 200 years of experience in veterinary medicine! We share these experiences and our expertise with each other daily. From simply consulting on a case, to formal journal clubs and continuing education meetings, the doctors at Westgate Pet Clinic strive to keep abreast of the constantly changing world of veterinary medicine. Besides being able to consult with each other, the other nice thing about having a large group of doctors for our clients to choose from is that you likely will find one or two of us that you develop a special bond with. That relationship is what makes our jobs as veterinarians the most satisfying. Being there for our clients and their pets through all of their life stages is the best part of our jobs.
Pictured above: (Back Row) Dr. Hageman, Dr. Mirodone, Dr. Melin, and Dr Hershey. (Front row) Dr. Aliano, Dr. Bury, and Dr. Norton-Bower. Not pictured above, Dr. Perry, Dr. Karlin, Dr. Downie, ad Dr. Reed
Catherine Hageman, MS, DVM, CvMA

Degrees
1992 – BS in Industrial Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison
1993 – MS in Industrial Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison
2002 – DVM from Colorado State University
2004 – Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, Medical Acupuncture Program, Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist (CvMA)
Areas of Interest
Special Interests in Veterinary Medicine: I truly enjoy nurturing long-term relationships and all aspects of preventative care, including weight management, as well as the diagnosis of challenging gastrointestinal and dermatologic problems. I also feel strongly that cats are an under-served part of our pet population and have a special focus on making cat visits as “low stress” as possible. Finally, I love to see the positive results of incorporating acupuncture in the management of painful or debilitating medical conditions.
Professional Affiliations:
American Veterinary Medical Association
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
American Association of Feline Practitioners
International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management
Pets
I currently share my home with a cantankerous elderly rescue cat Sanchi-San who delights in torturing the rescue dogs (Franklin, a German Shepherd mix and Herm, a dachshund-schnauzer mix).
News Articles
Teresa Hershey, DVM, CCRT, CvMA

Degrees
Cotter High School, Winona, MN 1991
University of Minnesota- Duluth, BS in Animal Science 1994
University of Minnesota- College of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 1998
Canine Rehabilitation Institute, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) 2010
Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, Medical Acupuncture Program, Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist (CvMA) 2012
Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT) 2020
Areas of Interest
Special Interests in Veterinary Medicine: I have a special interest in geriatric pets and using all of the tools available to veterinary medicine, including rehabilitation therapy and acupuncture, to enhance animals' overall quality of life. I also love dermatology and allergy management.
Hobbies: I love to spend time with my family and friends. My favorite thing to do is travel with my husband and 2 children, Jackson (19) and Julia (17). I also enjoy reading, cooking, camping and hiking. I am currently section hiking the Superior Hiking Trail.
Professional Affiliations:
American Veterinary Medical Association- Delegate
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association- President 2008
Fear Free Certified Practitioner- 2018
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
Pets
I am the proud mother of a 12 year old yellow lab named "Buckey". He has the most expressive ears and the sweetest temperament.
News Articles
Erik Melin, DVM

Degrees
I grew up in Rochester, MN and attended John Marshall High School. I graduated from St. Olaf College with a BA in Chemistry in 1996, and from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. I have undergone additional training in veterinary endoscopy and laparoscopy.
Areas of Interest
Special Interests in Veterinary Medicine: I have special interests in endoscopy, laparoscopic surgery and ophthalmology.
Hobbies: I enjoy running, Golden Gopher Basketball, trivia, and most of all spending time outdoors with my wife and 3 sons.
Professional Affiliations:
American Veterinary Medical Association
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
American Animal Hospital Association
Pets
I currently enjoy living with a 15 year old diabetic Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle), Tom, a 10 year old Schnauzer, Rikki, and a 16 year old domestic shorthair cat Ollie. We also have 3 chickens.
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Deb Reed, DVM

Degrees
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota 1982
Areas of Interest
Special Interests in Veterinary Medicine: Dr. Reed is especially interested in heart disease and treatment, internal medicine, and geriatric diseases such as kidney disease of dogs and cats. She also likes helping guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and hamsters live healthy lives, as these are often the first animals that kids have as pets.
Pets
Dr. Reed, her husband and two sons have enjoyed the company of many animals and currently have 1 dog (Mickey), 1 cat (Tweetie); a rabbit (Poppy), and 5 horses (Solas, Hannah, Billy, Howdy and King).
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Brek Perry, DVM

Degrees
1990 - BS in Bacteriology from University of Wisconsin-Madison;
1994 - DVM from University of Wisconsin-Madison;
Areas of Interest
Special Interests in Veterinary Medicine: Professionally I enjoy surgery, dentistry and ophthalmology. I truly enjoy the relationships developed with clients as we strive to maintain the best quality of life for our patients.
Hobbies: During my free time I enjoy gardening, woodworking, a variety of sports (hockey and Alpine skiing are my favorites) and most importantly Family Time with my wife Tara, son Liam (6 yrs), my daughter Hazel (3 yrs), my son Kelton (1.5years) and looking forward to our newest additioin due in April 2015.
Professional Affiliations:
American Animal Hospital Association
American Veterinary Medical Association
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
American Veterinary Dental Society
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps
Pets
Penny - 12 yr. old Black Lab; Syd 16 yr old - DSH; Tigger - 11 yr old DSH; Adams - 12 yr old Burmese. All are from a humane society or rescue group with their individual stories as to how they became a part of our family.
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Rhonda Downie, DVM

Degrees
Mankato State University B.A.
University of Minnesota, D.V.M.
Areas of Interest
Special Interests in Veterinary Medicine: I enjoy working with clients to keep their pets healthy. I love all aspects of veterinary medicine including surgery, dentistry, dermatology, and feline medicine. I am one of the instructors for our kitten class.
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time and traveling with my two adult sons. I also enjoy reading and gardening.
Pets
I have two cats: Biggs is a 14 year old tuxedo cat with extra toes, and Loki is a 2 year old orange tabby.
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Carolyn Karlin, DVM

Degrees
Rice University, BA
University of Arizona, MA, Ph.D
University of Minnesota, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Areas of Interest
I have a special interest in animal nutrition, animal behavior, dental endodontics, and feline kidney disease.
Pets
Dr. Karlin shares her tiny bungalow with her husband, Travis, and the four laziest pets in the world. Her rescue dog, Tippilina, and three formerly-homeless cats, Mookie Wilson, Peeps (Peepimeister Smith), and Tima spend their time competing for prime real estate on the couch or in front of the heaters during the winter.
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Olivia Mirodone, DVM

Degrees
High school : C.D. Loga - Timisoara, Romania
Veterinary school: Timisoara 1991 and Iowa State 1997
I graduated from Veterinary School in Romania in 1991, and then I completed my accreditation studies
at Iowa State, where I graduated in 1997.
Areas of Interest
Special interests in Veterinary Medicine: I love every aspect of medicine, and mostly Internal medicine, gastroenterology, and dermatology. I take great joy from seeing healthy pets for their annual exam visits, and getting to see them grow from puppies and kittens into adults, and then to help them age gracefully and comfortably. Also I find it very rewarding to get to know my patients' human families.
Hobbies: international travel, rock climbing, stained glass, SCUBA diving, good food, most of which I share with my husband Joe.
Professional affiliations:
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
American Veterinary Medical Association
American Animal Hospital Association
Minnesota Public Radio
Pets
News Articles
Valerie Aliano, DVM

Degrees
BS 1980' DVM 1983, PennHIP Certification 1993
Areas of Interest
Soft tissue surgery, laser surgery, internal medicine - especially geriatric medicine, and emergency medicine and critical care.
I am owned by 6 four legged individuals: Saige, Puck and Rogue (dogs) and Kobi, Fig and Goose for the cats.
Pets
Saige, Puck and Rogue (dogs) and Kobi, Fig and Goose (cats)
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Dr. Mary Matzek

Degrees
Emory University, Anthropology, BA 1993
Areas of Interest
Pets
We share our home with one very lazy Lab-mix, one sweet & sassy brown tabby and one very naughty & noisy orange tabby
Lauren Bury, DVM CVA

Degrees
Winona State University, BS
University of Minnesota, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Areas of Interest
I have a special interest in complicated internal medicine, including liver disease and gastroenterology.
I enjoy preventative medicine, and love building collaborative relationships with owners to help keep their pets happy and healthy.
I have also delighted in using traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture to better understand and manage a variety of orthopedic and internal medicine conditions.
Hobbies:
I spend my free time hiking, birding, seeing live music, reading and perfecting vegetarian home cooking.
Pets
Patrick, a sweet domestic longhaired senior cat. Fizzy, a Chihuahua that excels in snuggling and napping. Surly, an exuberant and goofy young English Springer Spaniel. Hubert, a precocious orange tabby from the mean street of Hasting.
News Articles
Dr. Seth Cohen

Degrees
Council Rock High School, Newtown, PA, 1996
B.S. Biology, Tulane University, 2000
DVM, University of Minnesota, 2006
Michigan Veterinary Specialists, rotating small animal internship, 2007
Hobbies:
I have a strong love of all Philly sports (and happy to support Minnesota teams secondly!). I am also an avid fantasy football “player”, and a supporter of Tottenham Hotspurs soccer. I enjoy reading and movie watching when at home, and love eating great food together with my wife.
Areas of Interest
I have special interests in internal medicine. I truly enjoy diagnosing and managing challenging cases, with particular focus on GI and renal disease. I have advanced training in ultrasonography and GI endoscopy. Currently, I am directing more attention to my geriatric patients’ pain management and cognitive abilities. I feel strongly that education and communication, and early interventions are the cornerstone of keeping pets heathy and happy.
Pets
Dr. Cohen and his wife sadly lost their 2 geriatric feline sons (Gus and Eli) in the fall of 2018. They now constantly dote on their senior fur baby, Ruby (11), the cutest Boston Terrier you’ll meet.