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 Friesian Fred in low level 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 in 2017. She also holds a degree in Animal Science from Michigan State University. Dr. Murphy grew up in Indian River, Michigan where her passion for veterinary medicine and horses started at a young age.

While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Murphy spent a year in Ireland working on a Thoroughbred stud farm with broodmares, foals and yearlings. Dr. Murphy received the Moxley Award for Excellence in Equine Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Murphy and her husband have a son, but their home is not complete without mention of their Labrador retriever (Nora), beagle (Charlie), cat (Murph) and guinea pig (Fanta). In her spare time, Dr. Murphy enjoys spending time with her family, horseback riding, reading, gardening and trying new baking recipes. She is absolutely thrilled to join the Kern Road team.

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. In her free-time she enjoys hiking, baking, 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 is excited to join the Kern Road Team! 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!