Our Veterinarians in St. Joseph, MN

Serving Pets in St. Joseph, Cold Spring, and Paynesville

At Cold Spring, St. Joseph, Paynesville Veterinary Clinic, our veterinarians and support staff are committed to providing compassionate, dependable care for pets throughout Central Minnesota. We believe strong relationships, clear communication, and personalized treatment are the foundation of quality veterinary medicine.

Our team proudly serves pets and families in Cold Spring, St. Joseph, and Paynesville with a calm, caring approach focused on long-term health and well-being.

Meet Our Veterinary Team

Our veterinarians bring years of experience, advanced training, and a shared commitment to high-quality care. Each doctor offers unique interests and expertise while working together to support every patient’s individual needs.

Our Doctors

Dr. Marta Powers.

Dr. Marta Powers

Managing Veterinarian

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Dr. Marta Powers grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Her professional interests include preventative care, internal medicine, and one of the most challenging aspects of veterinary medicine—assessing a pet’s health and quality of life and helping families navigate end-of-life decisions with compassion and understanding.

Outside of work, Dr. Powers enjoys cooking, reading, gardening, birdwatching, and spending time with her husband, Chris, and their two children.

Dr Tom

Dr. Thomas Carlson

Veterinarian

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Dr. Tom grew up on a farm in Chokio, Minnesota. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota in 1989. Since then, he has been caring for animals at the Cold Spring/St. Joseph/Paynesville Veterinary Clinics.

Throughout his career, Dr. Tom has worked with animals of all kinds, from large livestock to beloved household pets. His passion for animal care extends beyond the clinic—he lives on a hobby farm with horses, sheep, cats, chickens, and a variety of other animals.

When he’s not caring for patients, Dr. Tom enjoys producing pure maple syrup with his family each spring. He also spends much of Minnesota’s short growing season tending his garden and, by his own admission, goes fishing far less often than he should.

Traci Diggs

Dr. Traci Diggs

Veterinarian

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Dr. Traci grew up in Virginia and Nebraska before earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She joined the Cold Spring, St. Joseph, and Paynesville Veterinary Clinics in June 2002 and has been providing compassionate care to pets and their families ever since.

Dr. Traci primarily works with small animals and has a special interest in soft tissue surgery. She enjoys building lasting relationships with her patients and helping them live healthy, happy lives.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Traci lives in the countryside with her dog, Doug, and a small herd of cats. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking.

Dr. Erica Ramthun

Dr. Erica Ramthun

Veterinarian

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Dr. Erica grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota, and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Her professional interests include dentistry, internal medicine, and end-of-life care.

She currently resides in St. Joseph with her husband, Mike, and their two Chihuahuas, Taz and Peanut. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Erica enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, spending time with family and friends, reading, and playing board games.

Dr. Becky Ripple.

Dr. Becky Ripple

Veterinarian

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Dr. Becky Ripple is an experienced and enthusiastic veterinarian with a special interest in preventative wellness care, dentistry, and geriatric medicine. She graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 and has practiced in a variety of settings, including a small private two-doctor hospital, a multi-location mixed-animal practice, and a corporate-owned veterinary hospital.

These diverse experiences have provided her with a broad foundation in medical, surgical, and practice management approaches, while also deepening her appreciation for the importance of strong client-veterinarian relationships. Dr. Becky is passionate about creating a collaborative environment where she can build lasting connections with clients and their pets, support lifelong health and well-being, and continue her commitment to delivering high-quality veterinary care.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Becky enjoys spending time with her family, exploring state and national parks, caring for her beehives, birdwatching, reading, and making soap.

Dr. Mel Buettner.

Dr. Mel Buettner

Veterinarian

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Dr. Mel grew up in the St. Cloud area. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2024 and is proud to be back home in Central Minnesota, where she was raised.

Dr. Mel’s professional interests include small animal preventative medicine, soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and internal medicine. She is passionate about providing high-quality, compassionate care and helping pets thrive throughout every stage of life.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Mel enjoys spending time with her dogs, Gracie and Tater, as well as with family and friends. Her hobbies include traveling, exploring national parks, running, reading, and crafting.

Dr. Katelyn

Dr. Katelyn Mertes

Veterinarian

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Bio coming soon.

Our Veterinary Technicians and Assistants

Jolene

Jolene

Head Licensed Veterinary Technician

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Jolene joined the Cold Spring/St. Joseph Veterinary Clinic in June 1996 as a Veterinary Assistant. After earning her A.A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology from Ridgewater College in 1998, she began working as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).

In 2004, Jolene became Head Technician and has taken on many leadership roles throughout her career at the clinic. Early in her career, her passions were laboratory work and surgery. Today, she continues to enjoy laboratory work and client education, while also finding great satisfaction in helping her coworkers grow and develop in their careers.

Outside of work, Jolene enjoys spending time with her family and their two dogs, six cats, and three goats. She also loves taking walks in the woods and relaxing with a good book.

Ashlynn

Ashlynn

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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kayla

Kayla

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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Kayla joined our team in 2023 after graduating from Ridgewater College and successfully passing the VTNE. She has a special interest in working with anxious and fearful cats and enjoys helping make their veterinary visits as calm, comfortable, and stress-free as possible.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and riding her motorcycle. She is also a proud cat mom to six cats: Tater Tots, Mr. Squishy, Beetlebug, Waffles, Cricket, and Crouton.

Tonie

Tonie

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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Courtney

Courtney

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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Sara

Sara

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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Nikki

Nikki

Licensed Veterinary Technician

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Karlina

Karlina

Veterinary Assistant

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Bonnie

Bonnie

Veterinary Assistant

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Riley

Riley

Veterinary Assistant

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Jamie

Jamie

Veterinary Assistant

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Ashley, Veterinary Assistant

Ashley

Veterinary Assistant

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Our Client Service Representatives

Nicole, CSR

Nicole

Client Service Representative

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Leandra

Leandra

Client Service Representative

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Vicki

Vicki

Client Service Representative

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Hailey

Hailey

Client Service Representative

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Kara

Kara

Client Service Representative

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Denise

Denise

Client Service Representative

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Kara

Lois

Client Service Representative

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Other Staff Members

Janice

Janice

Practice Manager

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Janice is a dedicated employee with many years of experience in office administration. She joined the clinic in 2018. Raised on a local dairy farm, she still enjoys living in the country with her husband and small flock of chickens. Outside work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and swimming. Family is an important part of Janice’s life; she has three children and seven grandchildren.

Jodi

Jodi

Office Assistant

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Jodi has been a valued member of our veterinary clinic team since 2010. As our Office Assistant, she helps keep things running smoothly and has had the opportunity to work in and assist with many different departments throughout the years. Her experience in various areas of the clinic has given her a well-rounded understanding of both our team and the clients and pets we care for.

Outside of work, Jodi enjoys spending time with her husband, their children, and their grandchild. She loves the great outdoors, sewing, and, of course, spending time with her dog, Fred. Jodi feels fortunate to be part of a team that cares so deeply for pets and the families who love them.

Lisa

Lisa

Inventory Specialist

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Lisa is an Inventory Specialist and is proud to have been part of the team for 30 years. Throughout her years with the clinic, she has gained a great deal of experience and knowledge and truly enjoys being part of a team that helps keep everything running smoothly.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and their pet, Wren. She is happiest when she is outdoors, especially while fishing, hunting, or camping. She loves being in nature and making memories with the people and pets she cares about most.

Emma, Cleaning Specialist

Emma

Cleaning Specialist

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Bio coming soon.

Compassionate Veterinary Care in Central Minnesota

Our team is proud to provide veterinary care built on trust, experience, and strong relationships. Whether your pet needs preventative care, diagnostics, surgery, or ongoing treatment, we are here to help support their health at every stage of life.

We are honored to serve pet owners throughout St. Joseph, Cold Spring, and Paynesville, MN.