Meet Our Small Animal Team

Dr. Mark Stavros, Dr. Ashley Skarda and Dr. Christopher Tate in white coats outside the hospital

Meet

Christopher S. Tate, DVM, MPH

Small Animal Veterinarian

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.

Meet

Mark Stavros, DVM

Small Animal Veterinarian

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!

Meet

Ashley Skarda, DVM

Small Animal & Equine Intern Veterinarian

Dr. Skarda is originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and grew up just a few blocks from Lambeau Field. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2020 and completed veterinary school there in 2024. Dr. Skarda is excited to intern in equine and small animal medicine with Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital. Her interests include preventative medicine, dentistry, urgent care, and small animal surgery. In her free time, she plays co-ed soccer, rock climbing/bouldering, weight lifting, hiking, or anything outdoors. She has two cats named Chowder and Noodle.