Dr Ralph Molnau was born and raised on a dairy farm in the Chanhassen area. Farm life as well as 4H membership and projects seeded an interest in animals. After high school, Dr. Molnau attended the University of Minnesota and graduated veterinary school in 1952. Immediately after graduating, Dr. Molnau served in the US Army Veterinary Corps. After completing his time with the Army, Dr. Molnau moved back to the Carver County area and purchased the Waconia Veterinary Clinic from Dr. A.C. Spannous and continued to practice primarily large animal/livestock medicine there until his retirement in 1986. After 5 years of “retirement”, Dr. Molnau established Countryside Veterinarian and Feed in September, 1991. Dr. Molnau is past president of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA). He has received many awards including Veterinarian of the year from the MVMA and the WCCO Good Neighbor Award.
Dr. Larry Cass
Dr Larry Cass is a graduate of Colorado State Veterinary College. He has been engaged in small animal practice for fifteen years, eight of which have been with Countryside Veterinarian. Dr. Cass is a member of The Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, Norwood-Young America Chamber of Commerce and Norwood-Young America Economic Development Commissions. His family consists of his wife Judy, his daughter Lanell and her husband Kjell and their two daughters Cora and Karis.
Dr. Mandy Harms
Hi! I’m Dr. Mandy Harms. I am one of the veterinarians at Countryside Veterinarian and Feed. I received my biology degree from the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University in 1998. I then went on to the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with my doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 2002. I have been here as a veterinarian at Countryside since March 2003. I grew up on a farm outside of Norwood Young America. I first began working at Countryside as an assistant when I was in high school. My husband, Jeremy, is a veterinarian and works at the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at the University of Minnesota. We have two sons, Ben & Grant..
Veterinary Technicians
Patti
My name is Patti I have been a CVT at Countryside Veterinarian and Feed for 5 years. I am originally from Lonsdale, MN. After graduating from Montgomery-Lonsdale public school, I transferred to Argosy University (formerly known as Medical Institute of Minnesota) specializing in veterinary technology. I began my career at Jordan Vet Clinic and worked there for one and an half years before going to work at Anderson Lakes Animal Hospital in Eden Prairie where I learned much about exotics plus cats & dogs. Wanting to work closer to home brought me to Countryside Veterinarian where I enjoy working because I know many of the clients and am enjoying getting to know more. I am married and have a seven year old son and a three year old daughter. We live outside of Cologne with our 3 cats, lab mix, and a 125 gallon cichlid aquarium. When I am not at Countryside, I enjoy tractor pulling with my husband and his brothers, chasing my kids around and gardening.
Brenda S.
Hi I am Brenda, and I began my pet care career in high school working in a pet clinic as well as the humane society. As a technician I worked full time at Elm Creek Animal Hospital in Champlin for 7 years, then part time for another 6 years until I started my family. I just joined the team at Countryside Vet in June 2008 and I am very excited to be back in action!! I live in Delano with my husband, 2 young daughters, a border collie mix, a couple of horses and two barn cats. I enjoy playing volleyball, down hill skiing, watching my girls at horse shows, and occasionally riding a horse myself!!
Veterinary Assistants
Pete Rainey
Hi! My name is Pete and I’m a first year student in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Minnesota. I’ve been at Countryside since June, 2006. I plan on pursuing a career in veterinary medicine concentrating in both large and small animal ophthalmology. In my spare time I breed and train English Springer Spaniels for competition in field trials across the U.S. and Canada. I currently have three spaniels, Peaches, R.E. and Livey.
Ashley
My name is Ashley and I am currently attending the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. I will graduate in 2012 and plan to work as a production animal veterinarian. I have worked at Countryside Veterinarian as a vet assistant since May 2005 and also worked at another veterinary clinic for 3 years prior to coming here. My family and I live on a small sheep farm where I raise and show Dorsets and white face market lambs. I spend my free time reading, showing sheep, and going fishing. My family has three dogs and 2 cats. I have a cat, Danni, that lives at school with me and travels home for the weekends.
Renee
Hi, my name is Renee and I have recently joined the team at Countryside as a full time assistant. I grew up in Brainerd, MN and in my younger days I worked at a local vet clinic as an assistant and receptionist. I moved into banking and for the last 10 years I have been working as a mortgage loan processor. I am very excited to be out of the office and working with animals again! I live in Arlington with my Husband Fred and our two perfect mutts Puppers and Boo. We get out on our Harleys as often as we can. We also enjoy our dirt bikes and when its snowing we can be found snowmobiling or skiing.
Front Desk Staff
Bernie
My name is Bernadine (Bernie) I started working at Countryside Veterinarian and Feed in February, 2004. Previously I worked at Waconia Kids Company and the Star Tribune newspaper. I grew up in Chaska and then attended the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. I have two beautiful children, Shawna and Anton. Most recently I moved to Green Isle with my sweetie, Rodney and his shepherd, Shelby. We also have C.C., my “fat-cat”. Occasionally, you can find me singing karaoke. My favorite past times are being outside, hanging with family, friends and our pets!
Kim
My name is Kim and I have worked at Countryside Veterinarian since July of 2005. I am a receptionist and enjoy my job very much. My future plans are to pursue schooling to become a veterinary technician or assistant. I really enjoy working with animals. I recently moved to Waconia with my husband and in my free time I like to play with my dog. I have an 8 year old miniature poodle named Scooter. I enjoy going to the casino. I also enjoy spending time with my nieces.
Jessie
I first came to Countryside when I mentored with Dr. Molnau in 2002. I started working at Countryside in May of 2005. I am a student at Normandale. I enjoy spending time with my many critters which include my 2 cats, 3 bunnies, an aquarium full of little fish, 2 lizards, hedgehog, chinchillas, and my 2 dogs. I also play the piano and spend a lot of time with my boyfriend catching the latest movies.
Office Staff
Teri - Office Manager
My name is Teri and I have worked at Countryside Veterinarian since the doors opened in 1991. I enjoy the variety of tasks that come with being a certified veterinary technician. No two days are ever the same and the learning never ends. These days I spend more time on the "behind the scenes" functions of the clinic. I live in Watertown with my husband and our 3 sons. In my spare time I enjoy photography, gardening, traveling, reading, scrap booking, beading and other crafts. Our home would not be complete without: our Springer Spaniel, Daisy; our Miniature Schnauzer, Jack; and our two cats, Oliver and Iris.
Shannon - Large Animal Assistant / Adminstrative
My name is Shannon and I started working for Countryside Veterinarian and Feed 9 years ago as the groomer. I am currently working as a veterinary assistant for large animals with Dr. Molnau as well as doing various administrative duties. If you have ever been greeted at Countryside by a large, adorable boxer, then you know who my sidekick is. Freeway is my 14 year old fawn boxer who is very spoiled and gets to go everywhere I go. Besides owning Freeway I have a 5 year old bulldog named "Clyde" and 3 horses. Outside of work I am active in my saddle club and usually found outside riding my horses, working in my flower garden or ripping up the dirt on my dirt- bike or four wheeler.
Brenda B.–Kennel Manger
My name is Brenda, I worked at the clinic for 5 years starting in 2001. I then took 2 years off to babysit for my 3 grandchildren. Their names are Seni – age 9, Mari and Madelyn age 6 ( not twins by the way). Now I’m back as the kennel manager. I’ve been hired full time to care for the boarding pets. I am a certified pet care technician. When I am not at work, I like to spend time in my garden. I also like to have BBQ’s with my boyfriend Dan, my 4 children Angie, Tammy, Jessica, Nickolas, and friends. I have 2 cats: Falcor and Junkyard Kitty, and a crazy little dog named TT who torments everyone in the house..
The Rest of the Staff....
Lyle Braun - Feed Specialist
Hi, I'm Lyle Braun, manager of Countryside Feed. I consider it a great honor to work at Countryside under the direction of Dr. Molnau. We have in stock, or can order, feed for almost any species of animal you have. I enjoy the challenge of finding just the product for each of our clients. Whatever your animal nutrition needs are, we will take care of you.
Ron Richter- Maintenance, Feed Production
Tom R - Maintenance Assistant
Hi, I am Tom, and I work with Lyle and Ron in the feed department. I have various duties which include mixing feed commodities, delivering feed to our clients, helping Dr. Molnau at his farm and just helping around the warehouse in general. When I am not working I enjoy riding and showing horses, and spending time with friends.
Andy D- Evening Receptionist
My name is Andy and I have been working at Countryside since August of 2008. I attend Watertown Mayer High School and live in Watertown with my parents and two younger brothers. We have two dogs: Daisy and Jack and two cats: Oliver and Iris. In my spare time I enjoy basketball, golf, and playing video games.
Sheba
Woof! My name is Sheba. I am 5 years old and a pure bred Border Collie! Dr. Molnau adopted me when I was just a pup. I love being the clinic dog. My favorite past time is going on farm calls with the boss!
Jon
My name is Jon. I was orphaned at birth. In October of '05 I was adopted by Dr. Molnau when I was 8 weeks old. My job now is to annoy all who come into contact with me. My favorite pastime is playing in the hay barn, snooping in client's purses and of course eating!
Countryside Veterinarian & Feed, 13950 Highway 5, Young America MN 55397, 952-442-4200 Open Monday-Friday 8 to 6, Saturday 8:30 to 1
