Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Nelsen.
Hi Kara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Where to start? Probably 25 years ago 🙂
I always knew I wanted to be a veterinarian – my parents have said since I was able to talk. When I was in undergrad, I needed clinic job experience but found it difficult to go to school Monday – Friday *and* find a job at a general practice clinic which is usually open the same hours. As I was describing my plight to my older sister, she mentioned an emergency veterinary clinic just down the street from her – in Coon Rapids – where she has seen the lights on at night. At her suggestion, I went to the clinic to see if they would consider hiring a college student. They did – and this is where I started to develop my love for emergency medicine. Surrounded by superheroes in this privately owned group of clinics, I was mentored by the best group of veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the Twin Cities.
Over time, veterinary medicine has become corporatized. When my original vet clinic was purchased by a large corporation, I tried to make the system work for me. Instead, I was left hopeless and completely burned out.
I decided that Minnesota and Wisconsin deserved a locally-owned, employee-owned Emergency and Specialty group of veterinary clinics. That is how Allied was started in 2021.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always challenges!
Most people who go into veterinary medicine, do so for their love of animals.
Not money.
Corporate veterinary medicine has exploded the costs of care in the past 5-10 years – yet as a privately owned clinic we need to balance being financially sustainable while competing with corporate groups.
Overall, our group of clinics has grown organically from going to areas of emergency and specialty need – and having a group of people who want to work and be a part of a locally owned, team owned group.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are the only local privately owned, employee owned, group of emergency and specialty clinics. An emergency and specialty veterinary clinic is like the animal version of a hospital for people.
Emergency care is for pets who suddenly get very sick or injured—like if your dog eats something poisonous, your cat can’t breathe, or your pet is hit by a car. We’re open when regular vets are closed, and we have the equipment and training to handle life-threatening situations right away.
Specialty care is like seeing a medical specialist for your pet, just like people go to cardiologists or surgeons. We have veterinarians who are highly trained in specific areas—such as internal medicine, surgery, oncology (cancer), cardiology, neurology, or critical care. They work with your regular vet to diagnose and treat complex conditions that need advanced expertise or technology.
Together, emergency and specialty clinics are where pets go when they need the highest level of care, beyond what a general practice vet can provide.
As the only of our kind, it’s important for people to know that we are invested in our team and our community. We live here, this clinic is owned locally. Nothing that we do is merely standard. Or typical. Rather we focus on providing care that can only be delivered by a practice that is free to invest time, energy, and effort in cultivating connection. We’re invested in building a deep understanding of the needs of all stakeholders – referring veterinarians, pets, pet parents, employees, and the community – then delivering the care and service that meets their individualized needs.
Example: we have the highest level of CT scanner for pets in use in the Upper Midwest located in our Brooklyn Park clinic.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
We love how supportive the community of veterinarians is in the Twin Cities. Having partnership with the general practice clinics and other specialists in the community-at-large helps to offer the highest level of medical and surgical care to all patients that come through our doors.
Least like about the city? Nothing to not like!
Pricing:
- While ER and specialty care is expensive, being locally and privately owned allows us to keep our costs fair and transparent
- We offer several payment plans and treatment options for owners
- We meet pet owners where they are at
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alliedERvet.com
- Instagram: AlliedERvet
- Facebook: AlliedERvet
- LinkedIn: AlliedERvet
