Four Countrycare team members standing together at the front desk

About us

Meet our team

Get to know our doctors and staff. We all love animals!

Our doctors

Involved in every choice

We want you to be involved in your pet’s health care and choices. We spend the extra time to thoroughly discuss your pet’s health and medical conditions so that you can make educated choices about their health care needs.

Dr. Karen Strickfaden and a Countrycare technician kneel on the exam room floor with a smiling border collie

D.V.M., B.S., C.A.C., C.V.A.

Dr. Karen Strickfaden

Dr. Strickfaden’s interest in holistic medicine has stemmed from her personal experiences and her own medical issues growing up. She enjoys the challenge of helping an animal that no one else could. She is originally from Troy, Michigan. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, horseback riding and dancing. Chaz, her Boxer mix, Pooh and Tigger (her cats) share their home with Margo, the golden retriever puppy, who Dr. Strickfaden is training and socializing to be a service dog for a veteran with PTSD.

  • B.S. in Biology, University of Michigan, cum laude
  • D.V.M., Michigan State University, Phi Zeta honors
  • Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
  • Certified in Animal Chiropractic
  • Practice emphasis: holistic medicine

Post graduate courses and training

  • Bioresonance Therapy
  • Western & Chinese Herbology
  • Flower Essence Therapy
  • Applied Kinesiology
  • Craniosacral therapy
  • Osteopathic Animal Normalization Therapy
  • IASIS Neurofeedback Therapy
Explore holistic care
Dr. Karen Strickfaden

D.V.M., B.S.

Dr. Aili Heintz

Dr. Heintz has been practicing both small and exotic animal medicine since her graduation in 2008. It has always been her passion to help all animal members of the family whether furry, scaly, or feathered to be able to lead long and healthy lives. Dr. Heintz is originally from the area and grew up just outside of Howard. She is married and has 2 energetic boys at home. Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, family adventures, and outdoor activities including fishing and swimming. She shares her home with a dog named Bonnie.

  • B.S. in Science in Agriculture, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, magna cum laude candidate
  • D.V.M., University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, high honors
  • Practice emphasis: exotic medicine, small animal medicine and surgery
Explore surgical care
Dr. Aili Heintz

By integrating the best of traditional veterinary medicine and surgery with holistic medicine, we are able to offer your pets the best of both worlds. It affords you greater flexibility and choices for your beloved pet.

Our staff

Get to know our staff

We all love animals! Select anyone’s photo to learn more about them.

Join our team
  • Jenny

    Jenny

    Hospital Manager

    Jenny has been the manager at Countrycare since 2009. In addition to her human family, she shares her home with a variety of horses, dogs, and cats that make their way into her life. She values the culture at Countrycare, and she helps to develop our staff both personally and professionally. In her free time, Jenny enjoys attending workshops and retreats in order to learn, have fun, and make new connections.

  • Becky

    Becky

    Client Liaison

    Becky began her career at Countrycare in 2003 and serves in a variety of roles with both clients and patients. She is Fear Free Elite Certified, and she trains our staff to create a fear-free environment for our patients. Becky likes caring for pets over their lifetimes and watching them grow. When she’s not attending to pets at work, she cares for her 24 pets and 50 fish at home.

  • Joanne

    Joanne

    Social Media Specialist

    Joanne is our social media and communications coordinator. She loves working at Countrycare because we value continued staff education and positive company culture. She also appreciates the relationships she’s developed with clients over the years. Outside of work, Joanne spends time with her family, travels, reads, and attends concerts.

  • Sami

    Sami

    Certified Veterinary Technician

    Sami is a Certified Veterinary Technician. She really likes the fact that Countrycare offers both traditional and holistic treatment options, and she enjoys the bonds that she forms with her clients and patients. When she’s not at work, Sami loves spending time with her family. She also uses her creative talents to craft and bake.

  • Brooke

    Brooke

    Certified Veterinary Technician

    Brooke is a Certified Veterinary Technician who graduated from Globe University. She is proud of the integrative treatments Countrycare offers within our full-service veterinary practice. Outside of work, Brooke likes running, fishing, and spending time up north with her family. She also enjoys making wall art and clothing with her programmable cutting machine.

  • Kaitlyn

    Kaitlyn

    Certified Veterinary Technician

    Kaitlyn earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from UW – River Falls and her Associates in Veterinary Technology from Madison College. Kaitlyn is a Certified Veterinary Technician and she manages our medical inventory. She loves to see the care that her coworkers give to the animals. Outside of work, Kaitlyn enjoys hiking, traveling, and cuddling her cats.

  • Carrie

    Carrie

    Certified Veterinary Technician

    Carrie is a Certified Veterinary Technician who is a big fan of our integrative approach and holistic treatment options. She adores Doodles of all kinds and will find a way to snuggle them while they are here. When she’s not at work, Carrie enjoys spending time with her friends and family and going for Harley rides with her husband.

  • Shannon

    Shannon

    Certified Veterinary Technician

    Shannon is a Certified Veterinary Technician who graduated from Fox Valley Technical College. She really enjoys working with exotic animals. At home, Shannon has cats, guinea pigs, a horse, chickens, and a small herd of dairy goats. You can find her horseback riding, curling up with a book, or spending time outdoors in her free time.

  • Sarah

    Sarah

    Veterinary Technician

    Sarah is a veterinary technician who particularly likes using traditional and holistic approaches to help animals that are unable to speak for themselves. She also considers her coworkers to be her “work family.” When she’s not working, Sarah likes to read, camp, travel with her family, and play with her dog.

  • Cassie

    Cassie

    Client Care Specialist

    Cassie welcomes everyone with a vibrant smile and heart-felt greeting. Cassie values the relationships she has developed with all of our clients and patients, and she loves interacting with the various animals that come to Countrycare. Cassie loves hiking, biking, and swimming with her family and caring for her dog, cats, and birds at home.

  • Amie

    Amie

    Client Care Specialist

    Amie was a client for 15 years before she joined Countrycare. As a receptionist, Amie delights in seeing all the cats and kittens come in the door. She has three cats of her own at home and loves anything cat-related. Amie calls her coworkers her “second family” and values the supportive work environment at Countrycare. In her down time, Amie reads, exercises, and cuddles her cats.

  • Rachel

    Rachel

    Client Care Specialist

    Rachel appreciates the sense of community at Countrycare and likes how we are always trying to improve our processes. She admires how everyone wants to help every client and patient. Rachel likes to try different crafts like crochet, needle felting, and soap making. She also likes puzzles, board games, and solitaire.

  • Kelsey

    Kelsey

    Client Care Specialist

    Kelsey is a huge dog lover and she loves being able to help them. Her favorite part of her job is interacting with all of the dogs that come in our doors. Her favorite breeds are poodles and greyhounds. Outside of work, Kelsey likes reading, hiking, and playing video games.

  • Christa

    Christa

    Veterinary Assistant

    Christa is both a veterinary assistant and a retail inventory specialist. She majored in Animal Biology & Conservation Ecology at UW – Green Bay. She really enjoys watching her patients grow and heal, and she also likes learning about new products and new procedures. Christa is an avid photographer who enjoys outdoor activities and crafting.

  • Erika

    Erika

    Veterinary Assistant

    As a veterinary assistant, Erika enjoys helping her patients feel better. She also likes watching puppies and kittens grow into mature dogs and cats. She strives to learn new things every day. In her free time, Erika spends time camping and trail riding with her horses and enjoys time up north with family and friends.

  • Brooke K.

    Brooke K.

    Veterinary Assistant

    Brooke joined Countrycare as a veterinary assistant with experience in grooming and boarding. She loves working with animals because she feels they are easier to read and sweeter than most people are. In her free time, Brooke enjoys walking her dog, spending time with friends and family, hunting, fishing, and traveling.

  • Shaela

    Shaela

    Veterinary Assistant

    Shaela is a veterinary assistant. Her pets include cats, chickens, goats, and a horse. Shaela is impressed with the care and dedication that our staff has for all the patients at Countrycare. Outside of work, Shaela enjoys playing video games, riding her horse, and playing with the goats.

  • Gabby

    Gabby

    Veterinary Assistant

    Gabby is studying Animal Sciences at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and returns to the Countrycare team when she’s not at school. In addition, Gabby is training her dog, Willow, to be a service dog. She also likes to read and spend time with family and friends. She values her coworkers and the caring atmosphere here

  • Kate

    Kate

    Veterinary Assistant

    Kate became a veterinary assistant who admires the fact that the staff is very communicative and have close bonds with each other. Her pets include a dog named Molly, a mustang named Cindy, and a miniature donkey named Brian. In her free time, Kate takes her dog with her everywhere she goes. She also enjoys riding her horse.

  • Jadyn

    Jadyn

    Veterinary Assistant

    Jadyn is studying to be a veterinary technician. She noticed instantly that everyone she works with is very welcoming and eager to help each other. Jadyn has a mini poodle named Rusty at home. When she’s not working, Jadyn likes to go on walks, hang out with friends, work out, ski, and spend time outdoors.

  • Christine

    Christine

    Veterinary Assistant

    Christine has six pets of her own at home, so she’s always surrounded by animals. Christine loves the learning environment we have at Countrycare, and she feels her coworkers are her second family. When she’s not caring for pets, Christine likes to draw and paint.

  • Layla

    Layla

    Animal Caretaker

    Layla works primarily in our boarding facility. Layla has six pets of her own, five cats and one dog. She loves bonding with animals and seeing the different personalities of each pet. Outside of work, Layla likes to water ski, snow ski, and practice lacrosse. She also likes to spend time with family and volunteer.

  • Rachel

    Rachel

    Marketing Assistant

    Rachel started as an Animal Caretaker and left to attend college in 2020. She returned to us to be our Marketing Assistant while she pursues her Associates in Digital Marketing from NWTC. Rachel knew she would return to Countrycare one day because she missed our fun, caring environment. Rachel and her dog, Opie, do agility courses together. Rachel also likes photography and writing.

In their words

The hearts we’ve touched

A woman crouching beside her German Shepherd on a wooded path, one arm around the dog.

“I arrived with a bag of pills and not much hope for Fina’s quality of life. Dr. Strickfaden listened, and within weeks my German Shepherd was on the road to recovery.”

Susan H.J. · Freedom, WI
A woman lies cheek to cheek with her golden retriever on the grass, both grinning.

“Years ago when all other vets gave up on my older dog Katy, Dr. Strickfaden got her back to agility competition form with acupuncture. I’m a big fan!”

Betsy F. · Green Lake, WI
A happy red poodle hugged over its owner’s shoulder.

“Countrycare Animal Complex is what I wish for all pets. Your compassion and genuine caring makes all the difference. Duke is a happy dog because of you.”

Maureen M. · De Pere, WI
A Yorkshire terrier looks out over a woman’s shoulder as she holds him.

“Everyone there was great — from making the appointment to the vet tech to our vet. Everyone was super friendly and nice. They took their time. We didn’t feel rushed. We were very happy and grateful to the staff.”

Anne S. · Denmark, WI
A smiling man lies on the grass beside his happy golden retriever.

“Dr. Heintz was so gentle and compassionate with our dog. The vet tech was so kind and understanding with all of the questions that I asked her. They made me feel comfortable with the decisions that we made for Maddie.”

Faye D. · Algoma, WI