Our Team
The team at Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital is comprised of highly trained and experienced animal health professionals who have a genuine love for working with pets. Our staff treats every patient with the highest quality of medical care as well as a gentle touch.
Small Animal Veterinarians
Christopher S. Tate D.V.M., M.P.H.
Dr. Tate grew up on a hobby farm in Prior Lake, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 2006, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a Concentration in Biomedical Sciences. He went on to earn a Master of Public Health degree in infectious disease epidemiology from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in 2009. Prior to attending veterinary school, he worked at the Iowa Department of Public Health as an infectious disease epidemiologist. He graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015 and joined the small animal team at Cleary Lake in 2016. In Fall 2016, Dr. Tate became PennHIP certified. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Tate enjoys spending time with his wife and family, cooking, and is an avid sports fan.
Patty Keyes, D.V.M.
Dr. Patty Keyes is a 1990 graduate of the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, and has practiced small animal medicine and management in the Twin Cities since. As a general practitioner, Dr. Keyes has a special interest in feline care, small mammal care, and most importantly meeting her client and pet patient needs in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner. She lives in Excelsior with her special Shih Tzu/Poodle (Frank), and her two cats (Kitten and Nuggett). Her current needs focus on helping other veterinarians as needed and finding more time to visit her two daughters and her special places (Arizona and MN lake cabin) in her semi-retirement. Dr. Keyes is originally from Nebraska and is a huge Cornhuskers fan.
Mark Stavros, D.V.M.
Dr. Stavros earned a degree in business from the University of Minnesota before changing gears to become a veterinarian. That change stemmed from his first dog, Pasha. He graduated with a veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota in 1996. After 22 years of running a successful veterinary hospital, he decided to focus on the medical side. He sold his business in 2021 and feels that Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital is the best fit to continue exercising good medicine, integrity, and an understanding of the extent of the human/animal bond. People and their animals are all unique. Over the years, he and his wife have had many breeds of dogs and cats. He currently has a Labrador/Doberman mix, a Doberman, and a cat. He loves them all, and they are all unique! Dr. Stavros loves family travel, good eating, and a love for sports!
Carrie Rodman, Relief D.V.M.
Dr. Carrie Rodman received her B.S. in Kinesiology and Minor in Coaching from the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development. She later returned to her alma mater and graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. Dr. Rodman has worked as a relief veterinarian throughout the Twin Cities since 2015 (including with us numerous times over the years).
Dr. Rodman enjoys the variety each and every day in veterinary medicine brings along with the ability the field provides for continued growth and learning.
Support Professionals
Barb
Barb has been the Practice Manager at Cleary Lake since 2005. She has a Human Resource Management Certificate and loves meeting clients and their pets. She has an exuberant mixed-breed dog, Jazzy, an English Springer Spaniel named Louie, and two cats, Ellis and Hunter. Before working in the veterinary industry, she used to own, race, and train thoroughbreds. She has two children, Holden and Joey. In her spare time, she enjoys fishing, golf, cooking, and working in her yard.
Michelle, Receptionist
Michelle started part time at Cleary in May 1997. She now works full time as a client care specialist at the equine desk. When she’s not working, she expends time with her menagerie of animals, showing her horse, and hiking. Michelle share her home with her husband, her terrier mix Shrimpie, a barn cat April, & her horses Cal, and China.
Tammy
Tammy has been with Cleary Lake since 1990. Tammy’s favorite part of working in veterinary medicine is that every day is different and she is always learning something new. Tammy lives with her husband Ben in Webster at their Combined Horsepower Farm. They enjoy drag racing, 4×4 trucks, and caring for their many animals – cats, dogs, miniature horses, chickens, goats and sheep. Tammy is also an avid quilter and makes beautiful quilts and keepsakes for her friends and family.
Alexia, Receptionist
Alexia joined the Cleary Lake team in June of 2021. She worked full time at Wagging Tails Pet Resort where she found her passion in wanting to work with and care for animals. She enjoys getting to know the clients and patients that come to CLVH! In her free time, she volunteers at The Wildcat Sanctuary where she has gotten to meet a variety of exotic felines who are still wild at heart. Her hobbies include pet photography, outdoor activities and loves spending time with her dog DJ and her cat Jack.
Veterinary Technicians
Christine, C.V.T.
Christine joined the Cleary Lake team in June 2008. She graduated from Argosy University in 2005. Her special interests include anesthesia, client care, and veterinary technician education. She lives in Elko with her husband, daughter, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. She is a member of MAVT, NAVTA, and Pride VMA.
Dani, V.T.
Dani graduated from her Veterinary Technician school at Argosy in 2015 and was hired right out of her internship with us. Dani is mainly an equine veterinary technician and will occasionally help out in small animal. When not working she likes to spend her free time with her husband (Mike) and son Sawyer. Dani likes to be outdoors camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time in the garden. She has 2 dogs- Nelli (Springer), Cyder (Lab), 2 Goats- Frankie and George, a horse- Macie, Pig- Betty Lou.
Deb, V.T.
Deb Chellsen is a veterinary technician who does overnight patient care and hospital maintenance at Cleary Lake. Deb is a lover of all animals but especially dogs, cats and horses. She grew up in Lakeville and has lived in the Elko area on a small hobby farm with her husband, Keith, for the past 28 years. They share their home with a whole pack of pets and a small herd of horses. Deb has been employed in the animal care business for the past 24 years, with 22 of those in the veterinary field. In Deb’s free time she likes to be with family, friends and pets; especially her dogs. Deb’s hobbies include reading about animals, flower gardening, animal art and photography and anything outdoors.
Debbie, C.V.T.
I graduated from Argosy University in 2013 as a certified vet tech. My special interests include anything equine, small animal dentistry, and lab work. I live in Northfield with my husband, two sons, a mini dachshund named Tugboat, and a lab/hound mix named Moose. Outside of work I enjoy spending time riding and showing my Irish Draught horse Roary in eventing and dressage. I also enjoy hiking, skiing, and camping with my family.
Jessica, C.V.T.
Jessica joined the Cleary Lake team initially in 2007, then again in 2020 after a few years off. She graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in 2006 with her Arts in Associates Veterinary Technology degree. She enjoys a variety within the veterinary field. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, family, and her furry-bred ones.
Kelsi, V.T.
Kelsi joined the Cleary Lake team in 2011 as a small animal and equine veterinary technician. Kelsi now is primarily an equine technician and does ordering and inventory management. Kelsi enjoys equine anesthesia, phlebotomy, and being efficient. She lives in Faribault with her husband, 3 kids, and dogs. She enjoys running around to kids' sporting events, volleyball, cabin life, and being home with family.
Mary, V.T.
Mary joined our team in March 2013, after graduating from Argosy University. Mary is excited to start her career as a veterinary technician and is still deciding what her favorite parts of veterinary medicine are. Mary moved home to Minnesota after living in the Vail Valley of Colorado for 8 years, to pursue her education as a veterinary technician. Outside of work, she enjoys volleyball, bowling, yoga, camping, and spending time with family. Mary lives in Hampton with her three dogs and two cats.
Molly, C.V.T.
Molly is our newest veterinary technician joining us August of this year after her internship. She graduated from Ridgewater College with an Associate’s degree in veterinary technology in May. Molly enjoys seeing patients during their annual appointments, and venipuncture. When not working she enjoys spending time at her family cabin with friends, family, and her Springer Spaniel, Mabel.
Sydney
Sydney joined the Cleary Lake team in 2022. She completed two years at the University of St. Thomas studying biomedical science before transferring to the University of Minnesota. There she graduated with a bachelors in Animal science on a pre Veterinary track. Outside of work she enjoys teaching tricks to her cat Jack Jack and sheltie Tonttu, the outdoors, horseback riding, and painting.
