Ross L. Dirks D.V.M
Owner/Veterinarian

My interest in animals started very young. From my earliest memories I have been fascinated with animals. As a youngster I was fortunate to live in the country on a small farm and had supportive parents. I raised chickens, sheep, ducks and rabbits as 4-H projects. I made "pets" from all sorts of wild critters; snakes, turtles, squirrels, baby birds, and many others. Many of these were borrowed from the wild for a short time and released. I got my first hunting dog at age 14, a german shorthair mix, and began my love of bird hunting over pointing dogs. I headed to Iowa State University in 1980 and in 1984 received a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science and at the same time was accepted into the Veterinary program. My interest in falconry began while attending ISU and fastly developed into a lifelong passion. I also met my other love, the woman who was to become my wife, Terry. In veterinary school I expanded my interest in exotic animals and spent time at three zoos. I took a year off in 1986 to work on a study involving birds of prey in the RioGrande valley of Texas. On graduation, I had a family (son-Michael) and we moved to Oregon where I worked in a large small animal practice. One year later we moved back to Iowa where I worked in a predominately large animal practice in La Porte City for one and a half years. From there we moved to Davenport where I practiced at a very nice small animal clinic. While there I worked for two small zoos and several private bird collectors. I became involved in raising parrot type birds and doves. My interest expanded to reptiles and I was able to breed a number of snakes and lizards. I was also very involved in falconry and hunting dogs. Eventually having all that to take care of became overwhelming and I eventually sold out of my aviary birds. In 1999 the opportunity to purchase a practice in northwest Iowa came up. Wanting to move my family from the urban problems in Davenport and lured by the excellent falconry up here we purchased the practice in March 1999. I enjoy the lakes area and have become active in the community and church activities. I continue to pursue my passion of falconry and keep a small menagerie of animals at our acreage outside of Milford.

David A. Rentschler D.V.M.

Dr. David Rentschler grew up on a farm near Inwood, IA (the cradle of civilization). Dave spent his youth involved in many activities like 4-H, church youth group, and athletics. Also he began a love for the outdoors. Dave graduated from West Lyon High School, Go Wildcats! He continued his education at Southwest State in Marshall, Minnesota where he met his beautiful bride, Stacie, who grew up on a farm near Westbrook, MN. After completing a bachelor's degree in biology from SSU, Dave began Veterinary school at Iowa State University. He graduated from ISU with a DVM degree in 2005 and joined the Dickinson County Animal Clinic, P.C. staff after graduation. Dr. Dave is still active in the outdoors enjoying fishing and hunting. He is also active at church and likes watching the local sporting events. Dr. Rentschler has great experience with dogs and cats along with pocket pets and exotics. Dr. Rentschler also enjoys working with wildlife. He likes the challenging internal medicine cases that come through the clinic doors and also enjoys doing the many surgical procedures offered at the clinic. Dr. Dave has a large amount of experience with emergency medicine along with preventative health. Dave looks forward to serving your pets.

Terry L. Dirks
Clinic Manager

While we were living the Quad Cities I went back to school and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. I taught in the Davenport School District for 3 years before moving to the Iowa Great Lakes region in 1999. I have been working at the clinic doing the bookkeeping and inventory management. In the summer months I like to ride motorcycles, and during the winter months I stay busy with many craft activities. I am also very actively involved with several groups at our church especially the high school youth. They will keep you on your toes! I also serve as an Iowa Navy Commodore with the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Jodi Lindsey
Technician/Office Manager

I grew up on a farm in rural southern Minnesota. I have always loved animals. I graduated from Butterfield-Odin High School and then attended the Medical Institute of Minnesota in Minneapolis where I received my Veterinary Technician degree. I moved to Spirit Lake to do my internship and was hired at that time. I have been employed at the clinic for 27 years. My family and I reside in the lakes area and we have a ShihTzu named "Ellie Mae".

Ann McClain
Receptionist/Technician

I grew up on a farm south of Lake Park and attended elementary and high school at Lake Park. After graduation I attended college in Sioux Falls SD. I have worked at Dickinson County Animal Clinic, P.C. since returning to the lakes region in 1987. My family and I live in Lake Park along with our 2 dogs and a cat.

Alison Fay McClintic, RVT
Veterinary Technician

After working at Iowa Lakes Community College for several years, I returned to school to pursue a career in veterinary technology. In 2005 I graduated from DesMoines Area Community College's Veterinary Technology program and obtained state certification later that year. While living in DesMoines, I worked at All-Pets Hospital for 2 years. My husband and I returned to Northwest Iowa in 2006 and I started to work at Dickinson County Animal Clinic, P.C. Animals have always been a presence in my life. I currently have 2 cats, a lab-collie mix and a hamster.

Victoria Rix
Kennel Manager

I moved from Wisconsin to Northern Michigan at a young age. I grew up near the small town of Reed City out in the country and graduated from RCHS in 2006. My love of animals started young and have been a large part of my life. My family has enhanced my passion for animals in many ways then they probably know; by either their love and knowledge of animals, having their own AKC kennel, or even by hunting. I have a strong interest in reptiles and waterfowl. My father has really opened my eyes to the love I have for waterfowl and also my grandfather with his artistic touch through wood carving. From there, I have developed a passion to help in the conservation of waterfowl and their habitats. I am active member with Delta Waterfowl. My journey through life has currently brought me to the Iowa Great Lakes and have been working at Dickinson County Animal Clinic since 2010. I am currently working on my veterinary assisting certificate and plan on going for my veterinary technology degree, or possibly onto veterinary school. I have a cat named Bella and a red eared slider turtle named Spike.