Our Veterinary Team in White Bear Lake
Have you met our veterinarians yet? They're proud to be serving the White Bear Lake community and helping fellow residents keep their pets healthy. Most of all, they understand the ups and downs of pet ownership and are here to offer not only quality medicine, but long-term support and guidance. Take a moment to learn more about our veterinarians and see what sets them apart! Ready to book an appointment with our veterinarians? Call (651) 426-2246 or use our online form!
Dr. Tim Kuhnmuench
Dr. Kuhnmuench bought Birch Lake Animal Hospital in July 2017. He is originally from Minnesota and obtained his DVM from Colorado State University in 2012. In addition to his DVM, Dr. Kuhnmuench also has an MBA and is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. He comes from a family of physicians and combined with his love for animals, veterinary medicine was a perfect fit. He enjoys meeting new people and forging friendships, as well as finding ways to create life-long health and wellness solutions for people and their pets.
Dr. Kuhnmuench's wife is also a veterinarian and they have two beautiful daughters that keep him entertained and teach him about patience. The family also includes a yellow Lab named Goose, who has become the unofficial mascot at Birch Lake, and two naughty cats named Mustard and Quil.
His most memorable case was a Bearded Collie named Robbie who had chronic pancreatitis and Addison's disease. He was hospitalized for three days and subsequently relinquished to the pound on the night of his discharge. Dr. Kuhnmuench bailed him out with the understanding that he would be adopted out by a rescue when he was recovered. Robbie ended up living with Dr. Kuhnmuench for another three and a half years and becoming a loving member of the family.
Outside of work, Dr. Kuhnmuench likes spending time at his family's cabin, fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family. Two items on his bucket list include Heli skiing in British Columbia and catching a marlin. He is excited, blessed and humbled to be a part of the Birch Lake team and carry forward its reputation of honesty, trust and value that has been built over the past 30 years.
Dr. Melissa Haase
Dr. Haase has been with Birch Lake for 7 glorious years and is reminded every day how privileged she is to get to do her job. She obtained her DVM from Kansas State University but started her career path prior to that working in television advertising. She chose to work in the veterinary industry because she loves the challenge of science and medicine while working with animals.
Dr. Haase loves to learn and says she would probably be back in school if she wasn’t working as a veterinarian. Her favorite cases are the ones where she learns something new during treatment. And while every patient has a special place, her most memorable case was a silly lab that ate a golf ball and ended up with a perforated gastric ulcer.
Dr. Haase is married and has two children. The family has an 11 year old Golden Retriever named Sparrow and an 11 year old Calico cat named Katie who was formerly used for flea and tick research. Outside of work, Dr. Haase likes spending time with family and friends, knitting, sewing, going to musicals and the theater, and traveling. On her bucket list are traveling to England and to sit front row at a Bon Jovi concert.
Dr. Anna Rauk Mitchell
Dr. Anna Rauk-Mitchell joined us in March, 2018. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2012 and says that the best part of her job is seeing sick animals turn around and leave feeling better. Her most memorable case was helping to neuter a black bear while working in Ely, MN.
Dr. Rauk-Mitchell loves the problem-solving aspect of veterinary medicine, but if she wasn't a veterinarian, she would probably be working in conservation ecology or international development/public health. She took extra classes while in veterinary school and almost completed a Master's degree in Public Health. She was also in the Peace Corps and spent time stationed in Ghana and Liberia as part of Veterinarians Without Borders.
Her family includes her husband Matt, their two children, and their two dogs--Charlie, a Basenji that she adopted while she was in the Peace Corps, and Dart, a retired Alaskan Husky sled dog. Outside of work, Dr. Rauk-Mitchell likes to trail run, go canoeing in BWCA, go camping, and travel. Her bucket list includes lots of travel destinations and hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail.
Dr. Sally Prins
Dr Sally Prins joined Birch Lake Animal Hospital in the fall of 2019 and says she loves learning what makes each patient unique. She obtained her DVM from the University of MN in 2013. Prior to joining us, Dr Prins worked as a veterinarian for the United States Armed Forces where she met her most memorable patient, Helga. Helga was a Military Working Dog who fractured a canine tooth during an IED training exercise.
Dr Prins is married and has two young daughters. She also has a grandfather, aunt and uncle who were all veterinarians so you can say the profession runs in her family! Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr Prins likes teaching music to young children, singing at weddings, cooking and having dance parties with her family. She even has a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from St Catherine University.
Dr. Robyn Montz
Dr Montz joined the practice just this past summer (2022) but has been in practice since 2018 after she graduated with her DVM from the University of Minnesota. Her favorite aspect of the job is seeing patients benefit from the treatment provided and turn around comfortable from the care provided. Her most memorable patient was a happy 10 year old black lab who got his foot run over by a car. She says he was always a good patient for bandage changes and sedation and after 2 months made a full recovery!
Dr Montz chose to work in veterinary medicine because it combines her interest in science and anatomy with a drive to make a difference in people’s lives. If she wasn’t a veterinarian she believes she would be working outside for the US Forest Service as a field biologist. Her family includes a husband and dog, Tucker, who is a German Shorthaired Pointer whom she adopted while she was working in Wyoming. Outside of work, Dr Montz enjoys reading, cooking, and getting outdoors and would someday like to travel to all the national parks.