Staff

Dr. Travis attended St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2012. After practicing at a few practices in the area Dr. Travis joined East Lake in 2019, taking over as owner in 2025. Dr. Travis enjoys taking a collaborative approach to practice with an emphasis on client education. He lives in South Minneapolis with his wife, dog, and two cats. In his free time he enjoys hiking and playing the banjo. .

Dr. Cherie graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Her first veterinary job was in Forest Lake for approximately 7 years with a 3-year interruption from 2013 to 2016 serving overseas in Ethiopia. Since then, she has worked at clinics in the Minneapolis area. Dr. Cherie appreciates the rich history East Lake Animal Clinic shares with the neighborhood and its multi-generational clientele. When not serving the community, Dr. Cherie enjoys traveling to new places.  

Dr. Sohini (they/she) is a 2025 graduate from the UMN’s College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Public Health. They’ve called the Twin Cities home since 2014 and have grown to love all its beautiful and diverse communities. She’s really excited to be at East Lake, where she can support the people and pets from her own neighborhood and community. Sohini hopes to one day practice as a community-medicine veterinarian, reducing barriers to veterinary care so all people can give their pets the healthcare they deserve.

In their free time, they enjoy reading, bouldering, watching horror movies, exploring local restaurants and art fairs, cooking for their loved ones, learning different arts and crafts, making music with their super talented friends, and hanging out with their beloved partner and dog, Shrimp.

In November 2004, Deana came to us through an internship from Argosy University, (formerly MIM). When not at work, Deana enjoys cooking, baking and entertaining friends and family.

Josie graduated from the Medical Institute of MN in 2000, and  joined the ELAC team in 2012,  She has a special interest in feline and canine dentistry and in client education. When she is not at work, she takes care of her own furry gang at home.  She also enjoys spending time with her friends and family, yoga, and is also a huge movie buff.

Nicholas graduated from Minnesota School of Business in March 2013 with an Associate's in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, later receiving his certification in August of that same year. He hails from the Northern suburbs. When not at work, he enjoys disc golf, video games, and answering to the needs of his two feline masters, Dinah and Blanche.

Shelby graduated with her AAS degree from Argosy University in October, 2013. She started with East Lake early 2021. She lives in Maplewood with her son Owen, 2 dogs Ducky and Moose and two orange tabbies Frank and Ernie. When Shelby is not working, she enjoys playing softball, adventuring with her son and dock diving with Ducky at The Dog Tank in Mendota Heights. 

Kaylee graduated from North Dakota State University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. She is currently in school studying to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. In 2020 she moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to home. Big dogs are her passion; she especially loves spending time with her Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Mikko, but any pup over 100# will do. She also loves her three kitties, Gnar, Trax and Ember! 

Aimee, VA, CSAMP, FFCP

 

A native of Detroit MI, Aimee relocated to MN just in time to experience the 1991 Halloween Blizzard (she thinks snow is awesome)! Her career at that time was in graphic design—in 2011 life threw her a curve ball, and has fate would have it, that change, brought her back to her first love, animals. Since then, she’s been obsessed with learning; building a toolbox focused on cooperative care, complementary and alternative veterinary medicine, and canine behavior. When not at the clinic, Aimee is on the road with her business Little Bear Animal Massage, working on companion animals, supporting their post-surgical recovery, mobility and aging issues, and behavioral concerns due to anxiety and fear. In her spare time, Aimee loves the outdoors, and enjoys an eclectic taste in music and food. She lives on the Westside (of Saint Paul) with her partner and a busy Husky-Shepherd, a gorgeous corn snake, a lover-boy kitty, and their judge-y female cat.

 

Her favorite quote: “Do one thing every day that scares you.”    ― Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Kiki has been a Veterinary Customer Service Representative for the past 13 years, and joined the East Lake team in September of 2021. She lives in NE Minneapolis with her youngest daughter, a dog, a cat and a very chubby hamster! Her love for all animals drew her to the veterinary field and it has been the perfect fit for her.  She has three daughters and a lot of nieces and nephews that she absolutely loves spending time with . One of her biggest dreams came true in June of 2021, when she finally became a Gramma! A few of her favorite things are; snow storms, real wood fires, Pandora, any roof top patio in the summer, the ocean, being outside any time of the year, and anything and everything that involves animals. She has enjoyed fostering dogs in the past and definitely wants to do it again soon.