Dr. Gene Webster, DVM

Owner & Veterinarian

Hi! I am Dr. Webster and I purchased the Pine City Animal Hospital from Dr. Russ Troolin in August 2006. I am from Beavercreek, Ohio, and graduated from The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, in 1997. Immediately after graduation, I was commissioned as an Army Captain in the Veterinary Corp with an initial assignment at Ft. Lewis in Tacoma Washington. I was the base veterinarian at Ft. Lewis for 2 years at which time I also trained Special Forces soldiers on foreign animal diseases and worked in the human hospital anesthetizing ferrets for the pediatric airway life support class. I was then stationed in Okinawa, Japan, for 4 years and loved it! Not only was it an excellent clinical experience but the scuba diving was breath taking and there is no better place for sushi. When we left Okinawa, I got out of the Army as a Major and went to Detroit, Michigan, to work at the Animal Emergency Center. I really enjoyed the challenge of the cases but found emergency life to be tough on the family and sleep patterns. After a couple of years of searching for a practice to buy, we settled here in Pine City.

Pine City has been a great move for myself, wife and 4 kids. We have been very pleased with the education the kids are receiving and their opportunity to participate in sports, music, and drama. My wife is an artist. I also enjoy sports photography. Our family loves the outdoors–hiking, camping, rock climbing, skiing, etc. I look forward to meeting you in the clinic.

Dr. Shayla Mihelich, DVM

Veterinarian

I’m Dr. Shayla Mihelich, and I joined the Pine City Animal Hospital team in March 2019. I am a 2011 graduate of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, I practiced small animal medicine in Willmar, MN and then Denver, CO. As much as I enjoy the mountains, I am a Minnesota native, and lake country culture is in my blood. A move to Pine City just made sense!

I share my home with my husband, Mike, 1-year-old daughter, Adele, a Schnauzer mix named Ducky and a Boxer named June Carter Cash. When not working at the clinic you can usually find me knitting, baking, on the lake, or watching football (SKOL VIKINGS!).

My favorite thing about being a veterinarian is building relationships and being invited into the beautiful experience that is the human-animal bond. It’s such a privilege to help people and their four-legged family members. I am so looking forward to meeting you all and making Pine City my home!

Sarah Pederson

Practice Manager

I have been working at Pine City Animal Hospital since July of 2011 and love what I do! I graduated from Pine City High School in 2005 and attended the University of Wisconsin – River Falls where I studied social work and also studied nursing at Chippewa Valley Technical College. My husband graduated from UWRF with an accounting degree and accepted a position back here in our hometown. Currently, my husband Luke and I reside in Rush City with our two favorite little people in the world, our sons, Quentin & Owen.  We currently have two spoiled cats, Dasha & Rocky. My hobbies include my kiddos, fishing, karaoke, softball and watching movies. I was truly blessed to fall into this job and enjoy spending my day assisting others in the care of their pets.

Jade Zastera

Certified Veterinary Technician

I graduated from Ridgewater College in 2012 with a degree in Veterinary Technology and became a Certified Veterinary Technician. I was very excited to begin working at the Pine City Animal Hospital in April 2013. I was born and raised in Pine City and currently live here with my husband Jason and daughter Zoe. We have a cat named Flame, a Mini Australian Shepherd named Tulip and also own a farm where we raise pigs. I enjoy the outdoors, swimming, reading, playing board games and spending time with family. I look forward to meeting and working with new clients and their pets.

Lorah Mattson

Veterinary Technician

I graduated from Braham High School in 2010 and Minnesota School of Business in 2013 for veterinary technology.  I have 3 fur babies, Remi, a Shih Tzu Cross, Brooklyn, a Pomeranian and a cat named Marge.  In my spare time I like to hang out with family and friends and spoil my 3 nephews and my amazing niece.  I also enjoy hunting and playing team sports; volleyball and softball.

Brittanie Pearson

Veterinary Technician

I graduated from Pine City High School in 2012 and then attended the University of Minnesota, where I received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with Companion Animal Emphasis and a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife in 2016. I rescued my first dog, Rasha, in 2009 and it peaked my desire to help all animals and led me to a career as a veterinary technician. I started at Suburban Animal Hospital in Roseville, worked at Twin Pines in Askov and then worked my way back to my home town here at Pine City Animal Hospital.

My high school sweetheart fiance and I live here in Pine City with our “4 girls.” Rasha, our 11 year old Pomeranian, Ava, our 5 year old Labrador Retriever, and our two cats, Opal and Iridessa. When I am not at work or wrangling the herd at home, I enjoy riding our RZR, dabbling in photography, hunting and fishing, crafting and starting new home projects.

Denise Wirtz

Certified Veterinary Technician

I started working at Pine City Animal Hospital in August 2018. I graduated from Minnesota School of Business with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology. In 2011 I became a Certified Veterinary Technician. I reside in Rush City with my two kids, Aimee & Daniel. I’ve had all sorts of animals throughout my life and currently have four cats; Dime, Midgey, Smeegle & Gus. In our spare time, my family enjoys the outdoors.

Deborah Skalicky

Veterinary Technician & Client Service Representative

Having loved animals my whole childhood, I went to school at the U of M – Waseca in the Veterinary Technician program and graduated in 1988. I worked at a zoo in La Crosse, WI and at a Primate Foundation with chimpanzees in Arizona prior to moving to Pine City in the spring of 1990. I began at Twin Pines Veterinary Clinic and worked there for a year before starting here at the clinic in 1991 with Dr. Russ Troolin. I continued on with Dr. Gene Webster when he bought the practice in 2006. As of May 2019, I have been employed here for 29 years. Working with all of our clients and their pets over the years is something that I have truly loved. My husband and I reside here in Pine City and have 3 adult sons and one beautiful granddaughter.  I enjoy reading, cooking, and the outdoors; camping, hiking, biking, and skiing.

Cindy Thiebault

Client Service Representative

I brought home various strays while growing up, so it just seemed natural (or just pure luck!) that I would end up working at an animal hospital. It has been a joy working here for 14 years now. I grew up in Richfield, MN until my family moved to Blaine in my freshman year of High School. After I was married, we moved into my grandparent’s home in Rock Creek and have been here since 1986. My husband and I have 3 wonderful boys, Brandon, Chris and Andrew, one beautiful granddaughter and a pet collection that includes my female Toy Poodle named Stevie and our son Brandon’s dog, a Lab/German Shorthair Pointer named Missy who often comes to stay and visit. My little one Stevie rules the house and all dogs that enter!

Molly Ouverson

Client Service Representative

I joined the team here at Pine City Animal Hospital in February of 2019. I’ve lived in Pine City all of my life and graduated from Pine City High School in 2014, so you can say that I am very familiar with the community! I have an adorable 2-year-old son named Rylan, who keeps me on my toes, to say the least! I have always had a love for animals and couldn’t be happier to start serving the area and helping you all with your veterinary reception needs!