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Our Veterinarians

Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the Veterinarians of Care Animal Hospital of Pleasant Prairie in Kenosha! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at 262-694-6515 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Dr. Russ Brewer
Veterinarian

Certified in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist
Certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy

I was born and raised in Kansas. At the age of 5, I went with my Dad to see Dr. Carr with our Pomeranian “Pumpkin” for her annual physical and vaccines. I had recently been to the pediatrician’s office myself for pre-K booster shots, and felt for her possible pain. I was so nervous for her that Dr. Carr noticed it. He reassured me to not worry as the vaccines would not hurt her. Pumpkin didn’t even flinch when she got her shots! I was so amazed that she did not feel the shots, unlike the painful experience I had at the doctors just a few weeks earlier. From that point on, I had one goal. Become a veterinarian! I attended Kansas State University. Purple runs deep in my family as I was the second generation to attend KSU. I still say that I am a Kansan by birth, but a Wildcat by the grace of God. I entered Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine after completing three years of undergraduate studies at KSU.

There are 5 great things that have happened in my life, the first of which was meeting my wife Becky. We first met in undergrad as I borrowed her notes in a class we had together our very first semester we were in school. It was downhill from there. We got married our senior year of Vet School. The second best thing to happen to me was earning my DVM. It was the culmination of a life goal. But what was I to do now? Upon graduation we moved to the Chicago area. I took my first job as a veterinarian at Care Animal Hospital of Arlington Heights. It was here I learned about a future practice location in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. This was the third greatest thing to happen to me, moving to the Kenosha area. It is a wonderful community of people with larger city amenities. We have enjoyed bringing quality veterinary care to the Kenosha area, and look forward to a long future here. The fourth is my expanded training. What I learned in veterinary school was a good beginning. What I have after veterinary college with acupuncture and spinal manipulation is outstanding. The things these modalities add for the patients are at sometimes just unbelievable.

The last and absolute greatest thing to happen to me was the birth of our children. My son is my football buddy, and my daughter is my pink princess. I don’t know how my life could have been complete without them. It is a powerful thing to see the world through a child’s eyes. They enjoy our dogs and cats with us.

My ongoing mission is to make our practice one that you will rave about. This is a continual process that I hope will allow us to serve you and your family better. We want your experience to be one of the best you have ever had when you visit us. If there is anything we can ever do for you, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Outside of work I enjoy everything Disney, cycling, computers, playing on my PS3, going to football games (GO ‘Cats!), downhill skiing, fly fishing, hunting with my dogs and gardening.

Dr. Rebecca Wilsey
Veterinarian

I graduated from Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS) in 1996 with my DVM. I spent most of my childhood years calling Olathe, KS my home. I first became interested in Veterinary Medicine while taking my first dog, Buffi, to the vet. I was known as the “child with no parents” as the veterinary office rarely saw my parents. At the age of 15, I landed my first job as an Animal Caretaker with that same veterinarian. I worked for him for a total of 6 years including Veterinary Assisting. After entering vet school, I helped with a research project on anesthesia recovery in horses as well as front office member at the Kansas State Vet School Teaching Hospital.

I met my husband, Russ Brewer, DVM at Kansas State University. We both graduated in 1996 and found there were 42 veterinary job positions open in the greater Chicago area. I started my career at Christiansen Animal Hospital in Wilmette, IL followed by Harper Animal Hospital in Palatine, IL, finally coming to CARE when it opened in April of 2000. I also did relief work at AECCC in Northbrook, IL as an Emergency Veterinarian.

I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of Veterinary Medicine and have found my true love in surgery. I enjoy both soft tissue surgery and especially orthopedics. I am the visionary for the clinic which keeps me busy with both management in the clinic and also our continued efforts in connecting with the greater veterinary community.

Our family includes our son (Nathan) and daughter (Emma) who are slowly moving their way out of the house.  I am the proud owner of 4 Flat Coated Retrievers (Zap, Wonka, Pip, and Moony) which I continue to train primarily in agility.  Sunny is our King Charles Cavalier Spaniel that is a wonderful couch warmer.  The house is ruled by our crazy cat, a rescue named Skippy Skittle.

I enjoy helping out with several community service activities, mostly through our church. In my spare time, I also enjoy scrap booking, bicycling, traveling, and spending time with family.

Dr. Kelly Strecker
Veterinarian

One summer day I was riding my scooter through the neighborhood with my sister when a big grasshopper jumped out in front of me…I tried to swerve but still hit the poor little bugger. To my amazement he was still alive, however had suffered a broken leg in the collision. I scooped him up, took him inside, and proceeded to carefully splint his leg with a band-aid. I made a hospital cage for him and kept him in my room under close observation. Unfortunately, he must have suffered internal injuries, because he didn’t make it through the night. But, hey, at least I tried! I knew growing up that I either wanted to be a teacher or a veterinarian. As I matured, I realized that I could be both. For a veterinarian is not only a doctor of animals but also a teacher of how to care for animals.

I went to college at Kansas State University. Go Wildcats! I spent ten wonderful years in Manhattan receiving a very diverse education. I was able to learn and eventually teach horse training, study abroad in Australia learning marine science, docent at a beautiful accredited zoo, and faithfully support a purple football team by helping carry the goal post to Aggieville after we defeated Nebraska for the first time in seemingly forever.

I graduated from veterinary school in 2007 and started working here at Care with two other K-State alumni. Even though I am now in Wisconsin, I still feel quite at home surrounded by purple and being able to reminisce about my Wildcats. I love working with animals of all kinds, but I particularly enjoy working with exotic species. My dream one day is to work in the field of marine mammal, sea turtle and wildlife rehabilitation.

My furry children include three ornery kitties; Arinya, Simon, and Annie. In my spare time I love traveling to spend time with family, kayaking on the Wisconsin River with my husband, cooking, scuba diving, and tending to my ever-growing succulent collection.

Dr. Melissa Feltes
Veterinarian

Greetings! I am honored to be a part of the veterinary team at Care Animal Hospital! I was born and raised in eastern Iowa, and then attended Iowa State for undergraduate studies in Animal Science. I graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999, and then moved to Illinois to join a practice in Arlington Heights. I practiced small animal medicine there for the last 18 years, with a special interest in internal medicine, advanced imaging such as ultrasound, and cancer care. I pride myself on excellent client education and communication.

I met my husband Sean in veterinary school (we were classmates). We live in Wauconda, Illinois with our two daughters, Claire and Kinsey, and our zoo of animals. We currently have one cat, one rabbit, two geriatric Arabian horses, and an assortment of fish. We hope to add a new canine member soon, after recently losing our two old pug girls.

I look forward to starting a new adventure in Pleasant Prairie and to meeting many new clients and patients soon!

Dr. Kaitlyn Ford
Veterinarian

I grew up in New Berlin, Wisconsin, where I quickly developed my love for animals. One of my favorite activities when I was little was playing tag with our beagle, Tucker, when he got the zoomies. I appreciate the special connection each of you have with your pets, and how much these members of our families improve our lives.

I attended undergrad at the University of South Dakota, where I played Division I volleyball. My years playing this sport fostered my desire to be part of a dedicated team striving towards a common goal. I welcome you to be one of the most important parts of this team as we work together to keep your pets happy and healthy.

I met my husband in South Dakota, where we adopted our English Pointer, Remi who loves to hunt pheasants and is one of the most oddly flexible animals I have met. While in South Dakota, I interned at a mixed animal practice.

From there, we moved to Manhattan, Kansas where I attended Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, got married, and welcomed our rescued German Shepherd into the family. Loki is a complete goofball with floppy ears and a gentle soul. While in veterinary school, I volunteered as our Herpetarium Manager and developed my interest in reptile medicine and husbandry. My favorite scaled buddy was Scotch, a crested gecko!

Shortly after graduating, we welcomed our beautiful daughter into this world and moved back home to Wisconsin. I am so excited to be here and meet you and your pets!

Dr. Alex Suppinger
Veterinarian

I graduated from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. I grew up an avid Boilermaker fan, living in Northern Indiana in a family with several Purdue graduates. I had a strong fascination with animals at a young age, and set my mind to becoming a veterinarian early on. As I grew older and was able to take anatomy and medically oriented courses in high school, I only became more determined as my interest in science and animals continued to grow. I began racking up volunteer hours at veterinary clinics before starting undergrad at Purdue University, my dream school. I graduated with a B.S. in Animal Sciences and was accepted to Purdue’s veterinary program. Throughout undergrad and veterinary school, I continued to gain veterinary experience at several hospitals. Additionally, when I was in undergrad, I did a study abroad/extension program in Romania. Our goal was to assess the viability of a small village’s local milk supply and determine the necessary steps to allow the village to sell their milk to a corporation as a collective, as no one farm was capable of producing enough for the corporation to warrant buying.

When not in the classroom or exam room, I can be found reading a good book, usually sci-fi or fantasy, watching football (college and pro), playing/watching tennis, water-skiing, cooking over the grill or smoker, or catching up on the latest Star Wars or Marvel movies/shows. I don’t have any critters of my own at this time, but I grew up in a family of cat lovers and plan on adopting in the future.

I am excited to start a new journey here in Wisconsin with Care Animal Hospital. From my first interactions with members of the Care team, I could feel a sense of family and camaraderie, not only amongst the employees but also with clients and their beloved pets. This was one of the main reasons I wanted to join Care Animal Hospital, and I hope to help foster that sense of family and camaraderie. I look forward to getting to know you and your pets, as well as Wisconsin!

Dr. Erin N. Wendt

Hello! My name is Erin N. Wendt, DVM. I am originally from Northwestern Indiana – just off the shores of Lake Michigan. In my life, I have also lived in Michigan, sunny Florida, and mountainous Colorado. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a concentration in Zoo and Aquarium Sciences from Michigan State University. I continued to earn my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. As I completed my education, I completed rotating internships in small animal medicine and surgery at Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center. From early on in life, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian – I have always loved animals and wanted to do what I could to improve their lives. Outside of veterinary medicine, I enjoy reading and refinishing furniture. I am also a fan of different genres of music and enjoy do-it-yourself projects, hiking, watching movies, cooking shows and crime dramas. I have one dog – a mutt named Hotchner – who is 25% Boxer, 12.5% Siberian Husky, and 62.5% mixed African and Asian breeds.

I practiced small animal/exotic medicine for 13 years before coming to Care Animal Hospital – 10 years in private practice and three in corporate medicine. I started my journey at Care Animal Hospital of Pleasant Prairie after deciding that my time in corporate medicine should come to a close. Care Animal Hospital fit what I was looking for to move on – an AAHA Certified, Fear-Free Accredited private practice close to the Great Lakes. My goals here at Care are to continue striving for excellence in patient care, practicing best medicine, and pushing myself to obtain and learn new skills as veterinary medicine advances.