Meet the Staff

Dr. Amanda Bruce, Practice Owner, Veterinarian

Dr. Bruce is from Red Wing, Minnesota. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and following her studies there, attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. While not working to help control the pet population in the Northland, Amanda enjoys traveling the world, scuba diving, and being with her family and their two pets.

Dr. Bruce was first exposed to spay/neuter projects on native reservation and low-income Appalachian communities through work with the Humane Society of the United States. She has also worked on sea turtle conservation projects in Costa Rica, as well as helping spay/neuter cats and dogs following the devastating storm, Hurricane Katrina.

In 2007, in partnership with Animal Allies Humane Society, Dr. Bruce began serving the Northland with the Neuter Commuter. The overwhelming need for low-cost service to this area led to the formation of Northland Spay/Neuter.

Dr. Tammy Schilling, Veterinarian

A Duluth native, Dr. Schilling grew up on a farm where her family raised dairy cattle and hogs. She attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and earned her undergraduate degree in Biology. After her time at UMD, Dr. Shilling attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, she graduated in 2008.

Dr. Shilling’s main duties at Northland Spay/Neuter is performing the surgeries, as well as running exams on the animals that come into the clinic. However, Dr. Shilling keeps incredibly busy between her time spent at Northland Spay/Neuter and running her own mobile business, At Home Veterinary Services.

Shelli Windsor, Certified Veterinary Technician

Shelli started with us part-time while she was still a student at Duluth Business University, after graduating in 2008, she came on full-time, performing such duties as inducing anesthesia, surgical preparation, and after surgical
recovery.

The passion that she has for her job is contagious. Shelli is a gifted teacher and is often seen mentoring our work study students. She receives great satisfaction from providing such excellent services for low-income households and the gratitude that comes along with it is why she is in the business. While not working, Shelli enjoys working out and watching T.V. with her dog Molly, a “forever” four year old Basset Hound.

Sarah Dahmen, Certified Veterinary Technician

Sarah is from Isle, Minnesota, and attended Ridgewater College in Wilmar, MN, where she studied Veterinary Technology. Her main work duties include: prepping for surgery, and inducing drugs to the animals. Sarah, during her time away from work enjoys reading, quilting, and hanging out with her family and her dog Daisy Mae.

Jessica Fox, Certified Veterinary Technician

Jessica is from Cloquet, Minnesota. She attended Duluth Business University and obtained a degree in Veterinary Technology.While working at Northland Spay/Neuter she performs such duties as applying post-surgical vaccinations and medications, monitoring animals that are recovering after surgery, and general care of animals at our facility. While not working, Jessica enjoys riding and showing her five horses. Jessica finds that helping the regional community by providing low cost services and working with animals to be extremely rewarding.

Animal Allies Humane Society Support Staff

Meggan Neve, Certified Veterinary Technician, Spay/Neuter Program Manager

Meggan is from South Range, Wisconsin and received her degree in Veterinary Technology from Ridgewater College in Wilmar, Minnesota in 2007. Although Meggan is the program manager at the clinic, she also works at the Emergency Veterinary Services in Duluth. When she is not busy between her two jobs, she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, camping, and walking her horse. For Meggan, it is rewarding to be working towards a common goal of zero euthanasia of healthy adoptable animals with the shelters within 150 miles of Duluth.

Erin Koskela-Bianconi, Office Assistant

Erin is from Esko, Minnesota, and attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where she graduated with two degrees, one in Business Marketing and the other in Management. Erin is the office administrator and her duties include scheduling all the appointments, working with the intake/outtake details of all the animals that come through the clinic, you can also meet her at all the events that Northland Spay/Neuter take part in. While not at work Erin enjoys going to the theater, traveling across the world, reading books, and shopping.

Kelly Sundin, Veterinary Technician Student

Kelly is currently a student at Duluth Business University; she is studying Veterinary Technology and is anticipating graduating in September of this year. She has also received a Bachelors in Psychology from University of Minnesota-Duluth. While working at Northland Spay/Neuter she performs such duties as applying post-surgical vaccinations and medications, monitoring animals that are recovering after surgery, and general care of animals at our facility. Even though Kelly is extremely busy with school and work, she still finds the time to enjoy a good book, work-out, play cribbage, taking care of two cats and her King Snake Leni.

Ryan Sinz, Animal Transport Driver

Ryan is from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, he has recently graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he received a degree in Anthropology. Ryan’s main duties at the clinic include transporting the animals from shelters in the region to and from the Northland Spay/Neuter clinic. While not working Ryan enjoys teaching his cat Dezmond new tricks like spilling water glasses, and begging for more food. Thanks to Ryan’s great training techniques and patience, Dezmond is now a professional eating beef jerky and Cheetos.