After graduation from Iowa State's Veterinary School in the spring of '74, an energetic naive Iowa farm boy brought his new bride (Jane) to practice veterinary medicine in Mitchell, South Dakota. In 1977 we moved to a Tripp, SD farm to raise our children in a rural atmosphere. Later a clinic was established in Parkston, SD with haul-in facilities and Northwest Veterinary Supply began.
Forty+ years later, I still enjoy my practice, the area, my clients and especially my grandchildren. I prefer to work with large animals in a rural family farm situation. We have always promoted new management strategies and production records. "Without knowing where we've been, how can we plot our future?" Rural Veterinary medicine is undergoing rapid change. Together we can utilize change to provide opportunity and improve the economic efficiency of our herds. Primary veterinarian at Mitchell Livestock & general manager of Northwest Vet & Supply.
Eric has been with NWV for 3 years. As Operations Manager and CFO, he oversees the general running of our business. You will usually see him in our Parkston location, but he also works from the Vet Shack in Mitchell where he can wear many hats. He is from the Mitchell area. Eric and his wife Mariah live south of Mount Vernon with their children.
Travis was born and lives on a 5th generation family ranch south of Dante with his family. He has been working in feedlots and livestock markets since he was 14 years old. He has knowledge of all facets of cattle production and marketing. He is trained in reproductive ultrasound, foot care and semen evaluation. Travis is certified CUPS in Carcass Ultrasounding. He seems to know or be related to everyone.
Ellie was raised on a cattle/hog farm near Olivet and brings with her 10 years of sale barn logistics. Ellie comes with customer service skills, organization and work experience in the cattle industry. She has a passion for helping small businesses succeed in rural South Dakota. She loves to bake and cook. Our staff often reap the benefits of her culinary skills.
Dr. Chris is a seasoned veterinarian who grew up in the Sandhills of Nebraska on a ranch south of Stuart, NE. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and then his doctorate from Kansas State University Veterinary School in 2008. He enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine with special interest in beef cattle and small animals.
Chris owns a farm and lives in the Parkston area with his wife and 2 children. At this time he is operating primarily out of the Wagner office. He performs both large and small animal duties.
Dr. Joel is our guest surgeon. Dr. Joel is in our clinic about once a month for specialty surgeries. He is an Experienced Associate Veterinarian with a demonstrated history of working in the veterinary industry. Skilled in Veterinary Medicine, Orthopedic and Soft Tissue Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Animal Husbandry and Business Management. Strong community and social services professional with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine DVM focused in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University.
Dr. Gregory Mantz received his DVM degree from Kansas State University in 2015, fulfilling a dream that began in 1996 while he was working as a Cattle Health Technician at Ward Feedyard in Larned, KS. Dr. Mantz is grateful to the North Dakota KSU selection committee for allowing him to achieve his dream and is grateful to Northwest Veterinary and Supply for allowing him to continue living his dream.
He has worked for Northwest Vet & Supply for 6 months. He is used as a floater and helps out at Mitchell Livestock.
Craig Winckler brings over 35 years of animal health experience and knowledge. He enjoys delivering solutions to problems and high-quality product to our customers. Craig thrives on building relationships with our clients and goes the extra mile to bring excellent customer service
Jeremy joined "The Cattle Team" in 2019. He grew up on a ranch near Marty. He has worked for ranches and feedlots and is highly skilled in large animal care. He believes in relationships and that 'The customer is always right." Jeremy and his wife Jasmine have 3 children, Kendra, Cord and Wade. They raise cattle, horse and chickens. You can often find them camping or riding their horses.
I grew up in Mitchell and have lived in Letcher, SD for the last five years. I grew up around horses, dogs and cattle. I have been active in barrel racing, 4-H and roping. I own several horses and Blue Heelers. My cattle experience includes rounding up yearlings and pairs for branding and vaccinations. I am very excited to meet the clients at the Mitchell Vet Shack and help serve Mitchell's animal health needs.
I have been in the animal health business for over 40 years. I got to know Dr. Barz when I began calling NWV in the mid 80's, so we go back a long ways. There is nothing I love more than going out to the farms and ranches to see how operations work and succeed offering help where I can.
My moto for business is, "If you treat your clients with respect and be fair and honest with them they will do the same for you." I can't sign off without bragging about my wife, Kathy and our family of 4 grandchildren who call our home theirs. We love them all and while life is busy with them, we wouldn't change a thing!
Craig Anthony was born on a ranch in Nebraska and graduated from high school in Irene, SD. He now lives in Utica. Craig has worked in sale-barns and feedlots for 10 years gaining skills in livestock handling and processing. Craig went to the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School. He is skilled in Equine and Bovine foot care. Craig is also trained in reproductive ultrasound and palpation.
Sarah is a large and small animal Vet Assistant. She joined us several years ago as an intern while she was attending Northeast Community College in Norfolk, NE. She graduated in 2019 with a degree in Animal Science and has been with us full time since then. Sarah grew up in the Dante area on her family's farm/ranch. She has great personal skills and animal health knowledge.
Carly has been a proud Cattle Team member since February 2019. In 2018 she moved from Florida to be closer to family and has decided to make South Dakota her home sweet home. She is mainly at the Wagner Clinic where she manages the front desk as the receptionist. You will also see her filling in and helping at our other locations. Carly is an animal lover, a people person, and a problem solver for everyone she can. Her favorite part of the job is being part of a team whose sole purpose is to help and save animals, great and small.
Viann Kummer is the front desk receptionist in the Parkston location. Viann and her husband Tom live on a farm near Parkston and have been raising cattle for over 30 years. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren - soon to be 7. Viann enjoys being outside helping on the farm, taking care of the farm animals and her sheep. She loves camping and cooking and spending time with her family. Whether on the telephone or in the office she is there to help you with your animal health needs.
Amanda grew up in Freeman, SD. After receiving her bachelor's degree as SDSU, she returned to Freeman and resided there with her husband Jack and their daughter Ervin. Jack is the manager of the Menno Lumber Yard. In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, and growing her faith. She has 20 years of sales experience and is ready to serve The Cattle Team's customers'.
Nora is an achiever. She is a freshman at Augustana in Pre-law where she busy with life. She has worked with us summers and during the school year when her busy schedule allows. There is nothing Nora cannot accomplish. After college, Nora plans to pursue a career in the justice system as an attorney.