BluePearl Pet Hospital
Duluth, MN
Our Vets

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Dr. Blomstrand enjoys weightlifting, kayaking, fishing, reading and participating in canine rally.

Dr. Melissa Frank loves surgery and managing complex cases that require frequent monitoring and adjustment of therapy.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science & Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Married with three daughters, Dr. Frank enjoys spending time outside, hiking, camping and gardening. She also likes photography and reading. The family pets are on the smaller side – two parakeets, a betta fish and a snail.

Dr. Jonathan Hart finds trauma cases, endocrine emergencies and toxicity cases particularly rewarding.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca NY

Dr. Hart loves all things outdoor: back country hiking, winter camping in the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, paddling and four-wheeling with his family.

Dr. Laura Kiehnbaum has worked in both mixed and small animal practices and as a shelter veterinarian.

• Master of Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul

Dr. Kiehnbaum volunteers her veterinary services with Leech Lake Legacy, a nonprofit organization that provides veterinary care to pets on an Indian reservation.

Dr. Katie Neshek enjoys stabilization and management of acute trauma and wounds and the medical treatment of toxicities and foreign object ingestions. She prioritizes her patient’s emotional and physical comfort by utilizing low-stress handling techniques and a multimodal pain management approach. She also has a soft spot for patients affected by IVDD and other neurologic disorders.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Dogs and Cats Veterinary Referral, Bowie, MD
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis

Dr. Neshek enjoys outdoor recreation with her husband and dogs Frank, Wallace and Sigurd – including hiking, running, camping, mountain biking and participating in canine pulling sports. She also volunteers as the Head Veterinarian for the local John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

Dr. Lisa Nordquist’s clinical interests include:

• Abdominal surgeries (such as GI foreign bodies and pyometra)
• Laceration repairs
• Treating blocked cats
• Toxicity cases

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Bachelor of Science, Biology and Chemistry, Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, WI

In her free time, Dr. Nordquist enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking and snowshoeing with her husband and two gregarious shelter dogs. She also enjoys kayaking, gardening, traveling, reading and knitting.

Dr. Katherine Peterson is particularly interested in toxicology, emergency stabilization and post-operative care.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
• Residency, Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Internship, Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Internship, Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care, Animal Emergency Center, Glendale, WI
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Dr. Peterson enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, along with their many pets, including a dog, cats and chickens.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
• Bachelor of Science, Animal Science, University of Wisconsin, River Falls