Mon–Fri: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Sun: Closed
Urgent Care Mon–Thurs:6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Our Veterinarians

DR. LUKAS WALLERICH

Veterinarian

Born and raised in Inver Grove Heights, Dr. Lukas Wallerich has been working at IGH Animal Hospital since his senior year of high school. His first dog was a patient at the clinic and initially sparked his interest in caring for animals. It was under the positive influence and guidance of the team at Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital that he realized his passion for the profession. Dr. Lukas completed his undergraduate studies in Biology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2011. He continued his education at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2015. Dr. Lukas is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association. His professional interests include dentistry, ophthalmology, surgery, and theriogenology. Additionally, he engages in active mentorship and teaching of both veterinary students and new graduates. He most enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with clients while providing care for their extraordinary pets!

At home, Dr. Lukas and his wife have a pit bull mix and a whippet mix. In his free time, he enjoys playing broomball and pickleball, paddle boarding, hiking, riding his Vespa, gardening, and exploring new breweries. While he is a proud season ticket holder for the Minnesota United FC, his heart lies with the Minnesota Twins! Interesting fact: He ties his own bow ties.

DR. HAILEY ERICKSON

Veterinarian

Dr. Hailey Erickson joined the Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital in 2019. Dr. Erickson is originally from Bemidji, Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota where she earned her Bachelors in Animal Science.

After completing her undergraduate degree, she stayed at the University of Minnesota to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Erickson’s interest in veterinary medicine began through the Minnesota 4-H program where she raised rabbits, swine and poultry. Her professional interests include preventative medicine, surgery, dentistry, and internal medicine.

Outside of work, you can find Dr. Erickson volunteering with 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair, attending local concerts, and spending time with her sassy cat, Oatmeal.

DR. JACKIE ELLIS

Veterinarian

Dr. Jackie Ellis joined Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital in July of 2019. Dr. Ellis grew up in Central Wisconsin but has called the Twin Cities home for 20 years. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. After graduation, she worked at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory working in both virology with a focus on swine influenza and bacteriology with a focus on Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (an infection that affects cattle). Although she enjoyed her work at the Diagnostic Laboratory, she could not shake the calling she had, since she was a small child, to become a Veterinarian. She was accepted to the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota and graduated with her degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2017.

Dr. Ellis’ professional interests include dentistry, reproductive medicine, and behavior. In particular, Dr. Ellis feels dentistry is rewarding due to the immediate improvement that can be made in a pet’s quality of life. Dr. Ellis takes great pleasure in creating a relationship based on trust with her patients and their humans. She believes trust and compassion are the foundation to creating a lasting veterinary relationship from the first puppy/kitten visit to senior care.

Dr. Ellis has been active in various aspects of dog training and competition for many years. She has shown Weimaraners in AKC Conformation and has also achieved multiple titles in AKC Hunt Tests and WCA Ratings Tests with her Weims. Dr. Ellis was an active board member of the Northstar Weimaraner Club and is a current member of both the Weimaraner Club of America and the Northstar Weimaraner Club. Dr. Ellis is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.

Outside of work, Dr. Ellis enjoys spending time with her son Alek and their Weims, Nico and Leo. They also share their home with a Chihuahua named Cheep, a Crested Gecko called Artemis, and a large aquarium with African Cichlids. Dr. Ellis also relaxes by spending time at the lake, hiking, exploring state parks, visiting local breweries, and painting.

DR. TAMARA ROQUE

Veterinarian

Dr. Tamara Roque joined the Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital in 2020. A native of Hastings, Dr. Roque attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where she obtained a degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. After completing her undergraduate education, she then went on to attend Oklahoma State University where she obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2018. Dr. Roque is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and is fluent in the Spanish language.

Dr. Roque’s professional interests include surgery, preventative medicine, dermatology and dentistry. Outside of work she enjoys reading, dancing, and spending quality time with her friends, family and Holland lop bunny Popo.

Hobbies: Reading, Dancing, Crochet, discovering new restaurants, spending time with friends and family!

Pets: 5 year old Holland lop named Popo

College: Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2018

DR. THERESA HEITZ

Veterinarian

Dr. Heitz was born and raised in northern Illinois. Her love for sports, animals, and the outdoors sparked her interest to pursue her love of science. One day in early high school lying next to her aunt’s retired racing greyhound the career path became quite obvious, veterinary medicine without a doubt in her mind. At that moment she applied for work at a kennel that worked with reproduction and show dogs, and the rest was history!

Dr. Heitz completed her Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude in Animal Sciences with a specialty in pre-veterinary medicine at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale in 2018. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and fell in love with beautiful Minnesota. While pursing her veterinary degree, she worked as a veterinary assistant here at Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital and there was no better place to start her career than with our team!

Her professional interests include reproduction, emergency medicine, cardiology, and anesthesia.

DR. ROCHELLE HARTSON

Veterinarian

Dr. Hartson came to the veterinary field via a more winding path than most. She grew up in Fargo, ND with a menagerie of animals and studied sociology at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She then switched coasts to work in television in California for 6 years before going back to school to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian when she graduated from University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. She lives in St. Paul with her two dogs, five cats, 3 guinea pigs, 2 lizards, and fish tank and plans to add some chickens to the brood in the future.

Dr. Hartson’s professional interests include fear free practices, surgery, antibiotic stewardship, feline medicine, nutrition, and ophthalmology. She is fear free certified and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with the dogs (can’t seem to get the cats on board with hiking), crocheting and cross stitch, baking, binging true crime shows, reading, and dancing.

DR. MEGHAN OLSEN-TROMBLEY

Veterinarian

Dr. Meghan Olsen-Trombley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Dakota in 2015 and began working at Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital as a technician assistant in 2016 while exploring healthcare related career opportunities. It was this role that led her to develop a deep love for veterinary medicine, in addition to a love for the bustling and collaborative work environment at IGHAH!

She continued working at IGHAH as a veterinary assistant over the coming years while pursuing her veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota. She feels very blessed to have had the opportunity to return “home” to Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital post-graduation as a member of the DVM team. A few of Meghan’s professional interests include preventative care, dermatology, and dentistry. She currently lives with her husband Trevor and two goofy Golden Retrievers, Jameson and Bodie. Some of her favorite past times include spending time at the lake and reading a good book.

DR. SOPHIA KING

Veterinarian

Dr. King grew up in the suburb of Eagan, Minnesota. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, in 2020. She then went on to study Veterinary Medicine at her Alma Mater, graduating with her DVM from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2024. Her professional interests are surgery and pathology. Dr. King loves spending time with her partner, Andrew, their two dogs Cricket (English setter) and Ruby (beagle mix), her horse Sailor. and her cat spice. She loves being active and hunting with the dogs, running, trail riding with Sailor, and getting up north whenever possible.

DR. KIM O'CALLAGHAN

Veterinarian

Dr. O’Callaghan was born in Duluth, raised in Fridley, Minnesota, and wanted to be a veterinarian from the 4th grade. She attended the University of Minnesota for both her undergraduate and veterinary degrees. Her professional interests include surgery, caring for urgently sick pets, and managing the aging canine patient. She currently shares her life with her adult children, a 13-year old husky mix named Jack, and a 7-year old Catahoula Leopard mix named Ava.

When away from work she enjoys reading in a hammock, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, and traveling.

DR. BENIGNO MILLS

Veterinarian

Dr. Mills grew up in sunny San Diego, California, where his love for animals first took root. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of California, Davis, before diving into a career in surgical and medical device research. After several years in the field, he decided to follow his childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian, returning to school at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, where he graduated in 2021.

Dr. Mills is passionate about both surgery and internal medicine, with a special interest in helping animals live long, healthy lives. Outside of work, he enjoys a variety of hobbies, including ceramics and pottery, reading, cooking, and brewing his own beer. He’s also always keeping busy with projects around the house.

At home, he loves spending quality time with his wife, Helena, their son, Robin, and their furry family members—Olive the pug, and their two cats, Tony and Buddy.

Mon–Fri: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Sun: Closed
Urgent Care Mon–Thurs:6:00 pm to 10:00 pm