Doctors

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 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.