Doctors
Dr. Ragon
Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is where Dr. Ragon received his degree. He began working at Kern Road Veterinary Clinic in November of 1992. Since joining the team, his primary responsibilities have been working with horses.
Dr. Ragon has three children, two dogs and two cats. When not helping animals, he enjoys all outdoor activities and is very active in youth sports.
Dr. Ragon’s overall desire to help animals and people makes being a veterinarian one of the most enjoyable and rewarding professions available.
Dr. Esterline
Dr. Esterline graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992 and specializes in equine medicine.
While attending MSU he was a member of the MSU Equestrian Team and was the recipient of the Large Animal Surgery Award from the college of veterinary medicine.
Dr. Esterline enjoys spending his free time fishing and relaxing in the outdoors.
Dr. Shrader
In addition to being a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Shrader is also a wife and mother. Her husband Bret, is a high school mathematics teacher and coach here in the community, and her sons, Jack, Will and Sam are all avid sports fans. Dr. Shrader’s family is not complete without mention of her pets. She has two dogs, Norm and Huxley, as well as all the other family horses.
Dr. Gnagey
Dr. Gnagey was born in Mobile, Alabama and moved to a number of places as a child, including Lansing, Michigan. She eventually ended up back in Alabama where she graduated from high school. Dr. Gnagey first became interested in veterinary medicine after attending Vet-A-Visit at Michigan State University in eighth grade. She loves science, solving problems and animals so it was a natural career choice.
Dr. Gnagey attended Michigan State University where she earned a BS in Animal Science with an emphasis in Equine Nutrition and continued to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Dr. Gnagey spends her spare time with her husband, 2 children, cats Noodles & Thomas and long-haired dachshund, Dottie. She also enjoys art, needlework, playing the violin and MSU basketball! GO STATE!
Dr. Foote
Dr. Foote graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. During her time at Michigan State, she obtained her certification in veterinary acupuncture at The Chi Institute of Veterinary Acupuncture with a focus in horses. Since graduation Dr. Foote has expanded her acupuncture skills to dogs as well as a few cats. Dr. Foote was born in Traverse City and raised in the Greater Lansing area. She instigated her family’s interest in horses and was finally able to own a horse of her own when her family moved to the Okemos area. She helps to manage the family’s donkey and horses as well as the family cats. In her free time, Dr. Foote rides and competes her KWPN Gelding dressage. She also enjoys reading historical novels and watching English mini-series. She is thrilled to be part of the Kern Road team so she may remain close to her family and friends.
Dr. Murphy
Dr. Murphy graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She also holds a degree in Animal Science from Michigan State University. Dr. Murphy grew up in Northern Michigan where her passion for veterinary medicine started at a young age.
Dr. Murphy enjoys spending time with her family, horseback riding, reading, gardening and trying new baking recipes.
Dr. Pfeifer
Dr. Pfeifer is an Indiana native that graduated from Purdue University with both her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry (2014) and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (2019). During veterinary school Dr. Pfeifer took a very active leadership role within multiple student organizations and is currently a member of the AVMA, AAEP, and MVMA. Her senior year she was awarded the Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners Award for Exceptional Proficiency and Professionalism in Equine Practice. Dr. Pfeifer has had extensive experience with equine and small animals, working in various animal hospitals throughout undergrad and veterinary school. Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Pfeifer spent six months living and working on a large Quarter Horse breeding ranch in Texas where her love for horses blossomed. During her senior year of veterinary school, she completed a month-long externship with Kern Road and gained valuable experience prior to starting full time in July 2019. Dr. Pfeifer shares her home with her high school sweetheart and husband, Aaron, and her beloved rough collie, Henry and collie mix Sherman, and her cat, Bulleit. In her free-time she enjoys hiking, baking, spending time with her horse and exploring her new home in Michigan!
Dr. Schleusener
Dr. Schleusener graduated from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Her first five years in practice were spent in Chesaning as a large and small animal veterinarian, and she joined the Kern Road team in 2020. She grew up in Midland Michigan and attended MSU for undergrad as well. Dr. Schleusener and her husband have two daughters. In her free time she enjoys playing with her daughters, photography, reading, baking and cheering on the Spartans. Go Green!
Dr. Falk
Dr. Falk grew up in Wisconsin showing Arabians and Quarter Horses. She attended the University of Kentucky, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences. Dr. Falk graduated a semester early in order to complete an undergraduate internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, KY. At Hagyard, Dr. Falk discovered her passion for internal medicine and enjoyed working alongside some of the greatest internists in the country. Dr. Falk received her veterinary degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where she received the Dechra Excellence in Equine Sports Medicine Award. Dr. Falk has a passion for outreach and while in veterinary school enjoyed working with Equitarian Initiative to provide veterinary care to working equids on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Dr. Falk also enjoyed providing veterinary care to a local equine rescue while in veterinary school. Dr. Falk’s interests include preventative medicine, internal medicine, and ophthalmology. In Dr. Falk’s free time, you can find her hiking, camping, or paddleboarding with her dog, Bleu, and exploring local coffee shops.
Office Staff
Amy
Amy has lived in the Fowlerville area all of her life which allowed her to attend Davenport University where she obtained an associate degree in accounting. Shortly after graduating, she joined the team at Kern Road.
She has 3 corgis Peyton, Curtis and Zach, and one cat, Chuck. Away from work favorite pass times are drag racing, running, gardening and cooking.
Jennifer
Jennifer started working at Kern Road Veterinary Clinic in September of 1992. She has always enjoyed working with people and has always loved animals. Jennifer has been very fortunate being able to combine these two on a daily basis.
With her husband Jim, they have three children: 1 daughter, and twin sons. They also have one horses, two dogs and several cats.
Outside of work, Jen enjoys horseback riding, gardening, hiking, photography, dancing and the great outdoors.
Kelley
Kelley has been a client of Kern Road Vet since 2002 when she moved to Fowlerville. She started working for Kern Road in 2010. She has loved animals her whole life and there has never been a time in her home without a pet. She has two beautiful daughters - Jessica & Sarah-Kate. The family isn't complete without mention of their four legged pets - Diesel the chocolate lab, Shooter the Poodle mix, and cats Right Turn Ronnie, Rollback & Mowgli. Outside on the farm they entertain 4 goats- Ginger, Mark, Tony, & Sammy, 2 pigs- Lucy & Mike, as well as 2 horses- Cue & Mak. In her free time reading is her passion as well as camping with her family.
Emily
Emily has been with Kern Road Vet since 2017. She has lived in Fowlerville her whole life and still resides in Fowlerville with her boyfriend, Rob, his two daughters, and their dog, Morgan. In her free time she enjoys spending the colder months in Florida, camping, riding their side by sides, photography and cooking.
Kate
Hi! I 'm Kate and I love cats, coffee and books! My husband Tim and I live in Fowlerville with our fur children - Stuart and Pepper. Prior to working here at the clinic I was a client. In my spare time I enjoy reading, going to the bookstore and spending time at home with Tim and our cats. We enjoy decorating our house with Christmas lights and planting flowers in our yard. Summertime is spent outside as much as possible, relaxing on our patio.
Amanda
I’m Amanda! Working at KRVC is a dream come true, I have the best of both worlds working with animals as well as people. I’m a bulldog enthusiast who has dreams to one day have a yard full of them! In my down time I do dog shows with my daughter and our bulldog Poppy. I love summer so anytime I can be outside making memories with the family or up north makes my heart happy.
Leah
Leah joined the Kern Road team in 2020. She has a dog named Koda and a cat named Po. When she was younger, her mother was an LVT, so she naturally loves animals. Leah was raised in Mason and graduated in 2009. She and her family have lived in Dansville since 2019. In her free time, she loves to travel, kayak and spend time in the sun.
Technical Staff
Jenni, LVT
Jenni graduated from Baker College in 2008 with an Associate’s degree in Applied Science/Veterinarian Technician. After graduating, she moved to North Carolina and worked as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Jenni and her husband have two beautiful daughters. After moving back to Michigan, Jenni worked in a Veterinary Emergency Room for a year before joining the Kern Road Team in 2014.
Jenni’s family lives in Fowlerville with their cat Ms. Bing Bong, dog Opie and donkey Donald. When she has free time she likes to go to the beach and spend time with family and friends.
Natalie, LVT
Natalie joined the KRVC team in July of 2017. She graduated from Baker College of Jackson in 2017 with an Associates Degree in Applied Science and soon after passed her board certification to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She has always had a love for animals of all kinds, so she is excited to be working in a clinic that sees such a wide variety of patients. Natalie was raised in Dexter, Michigan. She and her Husband Evan live in Chelsea with their 2 dogs and 1 cat. When Natalie is not at the clinic, she enjoys traveling up north, cooking and spending as much time as she can with her friends and family!
Hillary, Small Animal and Equine Technician
Hillary began her career in veterinary medicine in 2003. She Started out as an assistant and receptionist and throughout the years has worked her way up to technician status. Hillary has a big interest in emergency medicine, equine medicine and management. In her free time, Hillary loves to ride her Dutch Warmblood, Louie, in dressage. She also loves to watch her son play baseball. Hillary lives in the Fowlerville area with her husband and one son, 3 cats, 2 horses and her Great Pyrenees, Kevin.
Kelly, LVT
Kelly joined our team in August 2020 after working in emergency for 4 years. Kelly graduated from MSU's LVT program in 2016 with an interest in exotic and wildlife medicine, and more recently developed an interest in proper health testing and performance medicine. She owns a hobby farm, a sheltie and a german shorthaired pointer. In her free time she enjoys hunting, hiking and going to dog shows.
Kelsey, Assistant
Kelsey joined the Kern Road team in 2014 and is working on becoming a licensed technician. Kelsey has two cats, Mr. Bill and Chunky, and a dog named Reggie. In her free time she loves heading Up North to spend time with family and friends.
Mindy, Assistant
Mindy joined the Kern Road team in January 2020. She has a bachelors degree in Animal Science from MSU. Mindy is currently working on becoming a licensed technician. Mindy lives on a 60 head beef farm in Howell. She has 2 dogs Waylon and Peyton. She likes to spend her spare time traveling and be with her friends and family.