Veterinarians

Dr. Christopher Hall, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Chris Hall is a graduate of Kansas State University. It was here he began a PhD. in anatomy and physiology with specific research regarding large animal respiratory disease. It was this research that led him to Michigan State University to continue his graduate work. Dr. Hall then transferred to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine to complete his Doctorate. At this point he began an externship in Raptor and Zoo Medicine at the University of Minnesota Raptor Rehabilitation Center and the Minnesota Zoo respectively.
Following his externship, Dr. Hall began work at the Chippewa Animal Clinic. He takes each patient’s care personally and prides himself in his ability to improve the lives of both his patients and their families. Dr. Hall’s approach to patient care reflects a well-known quote from Chief Seattle, a strong Native American leader: “If all the beasts were gone, we would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts, happens to us all”. Dr. Hall is a firm believer in the special connection we have with our pets; he aims to create a personal bond of trust with your family for a long lasting partnership in your pet's health and happiness. Dr. Hall and his team are committed to providing the most compassionate care available in an effort to improve the lives of both you and your pet.
Dr. Hall is very much involved with his tribe and participates in powwows as a singer and traditional dancer. In his free time, Dr. Hall enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife Debra and four children Justin, Nick, Jada and Alexia. Dr. Hall is also an avid martial artist; he currently teaches Kuk Sool Won to our local youth, and he is trained in both Judo and Taekwondo.  Dr. Hall has a special place in his heart for large-breed working dogs as his own fur family consists of two Great Pyrenees – Penelope & Theo, and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels - Charlotte & Ozzie . He also has a variety of farm animals including horses, goats, and even a couple chickens.

Dr. Kate Kiekhaefer, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Kate Kiekhaefer graduated from the University Of Georgia College Of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She then practiced small animal medicine and surgery in Spartanburg, South Carolina for two years before moving to Alpine, Texas. While in Texas, Dr. Kate practiced mixed animal medicine and surgery for four years. In 2008, she moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and began working with the wonderful staff at Chippewa Animal Clinic. Dr. Kate’s parents fostered her love for animals at a very young age – she grew up on a farm surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and many other animals. Pursuing a career in veterinary medicine was the only logical choice for Dr. Kate as her passion for helping animals continued to burn. During each visit, Dr. Kate goes above and beyond to care for your pet while respecting your beliefs and wishes. She is passionate about pet owner education, and she aims to ensure you understand each aspect of your pet’s health. During her free time, Dr. Kate can be found running; she enjoys exercise and participates in various marathons and competitions throughout the year. Dr. Kate has a rather large family consisting of 12 dogs, 3 cats, 4 horse, 6 rabbits, and a flock of chickens! She holds a special place in her heart for senior dogs; Dr. Kate often rescues older dogs from various animal shelters across the state and gives them a comfortable home & lots of love during their golden years.

Support Staff 

Rebecca Smart, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician
Rebecca’s father is a veterinarian, so she knew at a young age that she wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She grew up witnessing her father perform various procedures in-clinic and on farm calls, she envied her father’s dedication but he worked a lot and missed many family gatherings. Instead of following in her father’s footsteps, Rebecca paved her own path and continued her education to become a licensed veterinary technician. Rebecca takes great pride in her accomplishments, as she is one of the very few licensed veterinary technicians in our area. Rebecca’s experience and education has given her the knowledge needed to educate her clients on how to create a happy & healthy life for both her patients and their families. She looks forward to teaching our clients something new at every visit and aims to ensure each client has a thorough understanding of the care being provided to their pet. Rebecca is a workaholic and can usually be found in clinic; as the lead veterinary technician, her main priority is making sure herself and her coworkers love their workplace since our team tends to spend more time in clinic than at home. When she’s not at work, Rebecca enjoys the little things in life – relaxing with a dog on her lap and a cup of coffee in hand! Rebecca & her husband Mike have a soft spot for rescue & special needs animals. Her own fur-family Kipsy, a Doberman mix, Amidala, a Daschund mix, and Obi Juan, a Chihuahua mix

Alex Nichols

Veterinary Receptionist
​Alex has had a deep love for animals since childhood, drawn to the lessons they teach us about loyalty, family, and love. This passion led her to pursue a career in veterinary care, where she found a true sense of belonging at Chippewa Animal Clinic. Being around animals every day brings Alex immense joy, and she is incredibly grateful to be part of such a wonderful team. In every client interaction, her goal is to provide compassionate, personalized care that not only addresses the needs of their pets but also fosters trust and builds lasting relationships. Alex works to ensure that both pets and their families feel supported, informed, and valued. As a front desk receptionist, Alex’s strengths lie in creating a welcoming, organized, and efficient environment. She takes pride in being the first point of contact, offering warmth, clarity, and support to clients. Her ability to multitask and stay attentive to the needs of both clients and the flow of the practice helps everything run smoothly, ensuring that every visit is a positive experience. Outside of work, Alex loves spoiling her dogs, exploring beautiful spots throughout the U.P., and having cozy nights in with her fur family and sweetheart. At home, Alex’s fur family includes a sassy little Dachshund named Jack, who truly believes he’s Jack Nicholson; a sweet, roaming Beagle named Sasha; and her first fur baby love, King, a Labrador mix who will always be the King of her heart.

Jessie Barbeaux

Veterinary Receptionist
Jessie has always had a deep love for animals, growing up surrounded by pets and driven by a desire to help others. This passion led her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, where she can make a positive impact on the lives of both pets and their owners. Jessie strives to ensure every pet is treated as a priority, and she works hard to make sure that people feel cared for when their pets are in need. Known for her determination, empathy, and goal-driven mindset, Jessie approaches each day with a clear sense of purpose. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing with her pets, cooking, baking, and spending quality time with the people she cares about. Jessie’s dog, Meatball Soup, loves to play soccer and tug, but also values his nap time. He’s friendly to everyone and believes everyone is meant to be his friend, though he has a special bond with his cat sister The Big Cheese. The Big Cheese loves to cuddle and "make biscuits." She spends most of her time yelling at Jessie or watching people, and although she acts like she loves her dog brother the least, she secretly loves him the most.

Sami Knutsen

Practice Manager
Sami was inspired at a young age to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Growing up, she watched her uncle, Dr. Christopher Hall, work tirelessly to achieve his dream of becoming a veterinarian. Sami admired his dedication and compassion, and when she was offered the chance to join his team at Chippewa Animal Clinic, she was overjoyed. Her ability to connect with both her patients and their families is a cornerstone of her practice. With every appointment, Sami strives to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, building lasting relationships with both you and your pet. Her home reflects her love for animals, with two rescue dogs—Bella and Chloe, two cats—Autumn and Sophie, and Bruno the hedgehog. During the winter, Sami loves curling up with a good book, while in the summer, she enjoys spending time outside near the water, soaking up the sun with her dogs on the beaches of Lake Superior

Taylor Kerr

Veterinary Assistant
Taylor's calling to animals came when she starting volunteering at our local animal shelter as a teenager. Taylor has grown up with dogs all her life, she also has experience with small animals and birds. This love of all animals (big & small!) is what led her to pursue a career at Chippewa Animal Clinic. Taylor looks forward to providing compassionate care to each client and patient regardless of the situation at hand. If you need a good laugh or a shoulder to cry on, Taylor is our go-to gal! She possesses an innate ability to connect with your pet and family, to ensure you and your pet have a memorable experience at our clinic. Taylor's fur family consists of Tenley, a pocket-sized Pitbull mix, Riley, a rambunctious Blue Heeler, and Smudge, a fiercely independent shepherd mix.  Taylor works hard to provide the best life for her and her fur babies; but in her free time, Taylor can be found gardening or enjoying the sunshine!

Raven McKechnie

Veterinary Assistant
​Raven’s passion for animals has been the driving force behind her decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She finds immense joy in being part of the process that helps animals every day, and is deeply appreciative of the powerful bond between humans and animals. Raven strives to provide care for animals the same way they offer unconditional love and support in our lives. In each client interaction, her goal is to establish trust and rapport, ensuring every client feels comfortable and well-cared for. She understands that visits to the clinic can often be stressful, and works to provide comfort during those challenging moments. One of Raven’s greatest strengths is her ability to multitask, especially in the surgical department. Her composed approach allows her to efficiently manage stressful situations while ensuring all tasks are completed thoroughly. Raven is excited to announce that she has recently been accepted into the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, a huge step toward her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Outside of work and school, she enjoys spending time with her animals and family, as well as pursuing hobbies like crocheting, painting, and creating paper mache sculptures. She also enjoys hiking when the weather permits. At home, Raven’s fur family is filled with a variety of animals, both big and small. Her beloved cat Panther, who she rescued from a trash can at just six weeks old, is now 16 years old, and she cherishes every day with him. Over the years, her love for rodents has led her to adopt several, and currently, she has a large, shy but sweet hamster named Boba. Raven’s love for animals is evident in both her professional and personal life.

Justina Massey

Veterinary Assistant
Justina’s passion for animals has been a guiding force in her life from a young age. Growing up in a bustling household, her only moments of calm came from the time she spent with her family dog, “Sissy.” With a natural ability to connect with animals, she often found herself outside, observing and understanding the lives of the creatures around her. At times, Justina felt she could communicate with animals better than with people, which led her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. After shadowing at Chippewa Animal Clinic as a high school junior, she realized that veterinary care was her true calling. In 2021, she made that dream a reality by joining the field and hasn’t looked back since. Justina’s mission with every client interaction is to educate, empathize, and offer thoughtful solutions tailored to each pet’s health needs. She strives to make clients feel heard and understood, ensuring they feel supported throughout their journey. Her strength lies in her ability to read animal behavior, remain calm under pressure, and comfort both pets and their owners during difficult times. When she’s not at work, Justina enjoys quiet winter nights at home and taking road trips with her two dogs in the warmer months. She cherishes the time spent with her family, who share her love for animals. At home, her fur family includes her soul dog, a 6-year-old English Springer Spaniel named Inari, and a 3-year-old Irish Setter named Gunner. She also has two lively parakeets named Bob and Linda, completing her diverse and loving household.

Jolene Nertoli

Priscilla Pine
Accounting
Office Manager