Dr. Dan first joined Park Grove in 1992 as a part-time associate veterinarian, and then eventually purchased the practice in 2001. In 2003, the clinic had to be moved to its current location. He graduated from Iowa State University with a major in animal science and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. He completed his internship at Boren Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Dr. Dan resides in the Woodbury area in the house his wife, Sue, grew up in (her family has been in the Woodbury community for over 100 years!). Together, they have four children and one grandchild, and a Lab, Gertie. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Dan enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering at Afton Alps as a ski patrol, being active in his church, and many other outdoor activities.
Dr. Sturtz has been with Park Grove Pet Hospital since 2006. He has a BA in mathematics and computer science from Carleton College and his DVM license is from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. His favorite thing about veterinary medicine is helping our clients’ bond with their companion animals, as he has done with his own two Golden Retrievers (Tally and Tiya) and kitties (Orrefors and Baccarat).
When not engaged in veterinary medicine, he enjoys jazz singing, musical theater, golf, technical writing for a programming website, and walks with Tally and Tiya.
Dr. Sonja joined Park Grove as a doctor in 2011. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls with a BS in 2005. Then it was off to Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, to receive her DVM license. Dr. Sonja’s special interests include behavior, surgery and dentistry, pain management, and preventative medicine.
Like anyone in this field, she loves animals, but her inspiration came from the interaction she had with the veterinarian of her first cat. At the age of 7, she remembers the veterinarian took time to answer all the questions she had for her cat, Tootsie. Even though Tootsie didn’t make it through his illness, she will never forget the care and compassion that the vet gave to both her and Tootsie. Dr. Sonja wanted to make the difference for others the way he did for her.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys camping, gardening, and reading. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, Brent and their families, friends and dog (Booth), their Cats (Jaden, Mama, and Munchkin)
Dr. Alyssa has a BS in animal science from the University of Minnesota. She then continued her studies at the University of Minnesota graduating with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. Dr. Alyssa has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, pain management, and preventative medicine.
In her free time Dr. Alyssa enjoys taking her dogs, Pimenta and Togo, for walks, traveling, exploring new restaurants with her husband, and learning Portuguese.
Dr. Katherine Brauer completed her Undergraduate Degree in Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Ross University, and her clinical year at the University of Minnesota. Her areas of professional interest are dentistry, preventative medicine, palliative care, and end-of-life care.
Dr. Katherine started working in the veterinary field in 2013 as a volunteer at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center in the oncology ward as a radiology assistant and physical therapy assistant. She has also worked at vaccine and emergency clinics. Her interest in veterinary medicine started very early in life, she was just 5 years old when she told her parents that she was going to be a veterinarian, and that never changed. Dr. Katherine has always loved helping pets feel better and live happy, healthy, and long lives.
Minnesota-born and raised, Dr. Katherine lived abroad for veterinary school and worked in neighboring Wisconsin for a few years. She enjoys being back in her hometown, spending time with her cats and Border Collie, Salmiakki. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, reading, crafting, board games, learning new languages, and spending time with family.
Phone: 651-459-9663
