About The Clinic

Western Veterinary Service was established in 1974 in central Lincoln County. Separate locations in Lake Benton and Tyler were joined together at the current location in 1978. The business name and structure were changed to Western Veterinary Clinic PLLP in 2000.

To provide high quality veterinary health care, consultative services and animal health products in a manner that treats each client with special concern and provides superior value and client satisfaction.

Loren Johnson, DVM
Dr. Loren Johnson is a graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. He is married and has two children and three grandchildren. He is a farm boy at heart and enjoys both large and small animal practice.

Roxanne Nielsen, DVM
Dr. Roxanne Nielsen attended veterinary school at the University of Minnesota. Prior to vet school, she attained a Master's degree in Ruminant Nutrition at North Dakota State University. Dr. Nielsen is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren. She enjoys horseback riding, gardening, and baking.

Nicole Sterzinger, DVM
Dr. Nicole Sterzinger graduated from Iowa State University, but hails from this area originally. She and her husband live on a farm and hope to add livestock and other pets to her brood of chickens. Dr. Nicole enjoys working with large animals especially and would like to expand the small ruminant clientele.

Sara, Veterinary Technician
Sara joined our team in February 2015. She is a 2013 graduate of the Veterinary Technology program at Globe University in Sioux Falls and obtained an Associate's degree. As a veterinary technician she assists with small animal examinations, surgeries, and diagnostic workups. After growing up in South Dakota, she is excited to make Minnesota her home. Sara has 3 German Shepherds named "Echo", "Bane", and "Gigi", a cat named "Franklin", 2 Cockatiels named "Carlee" and "Charlie", and a fish. Her passions include working with pets and drawing.

Danielle (a/k/a Dani), Veterinary Technician
Dani joined our team in 2021. She is married and has 3 dogs, 2 cats, and horses & cattle (Herefords). She is originally from Lake Benton. Se received her Bachelor's Degree from SDSU and further training in Montana. You will see Dani on the farm and in the office working with both large and small animals. When not at work, she enjoys being outside and gardening.

Kelly, Certified Veterinary Technician
Kelly has recently joined the practice after attending SE Tech in Sioux Falls to become a CVT. Kelly is excited to learn all things veterinary medicine. She has shown pigs and sheep in 4H and enjoys riding horse as well.

Jasmine, Veterinary Assistant
Jasmine will be going to tech school this fall to continue with us as a CVT. She lives on acreage with her fiancé, son, and 5 dogs and a cat. She is eager to learn all things great and small. Jasmine is originally from Sioux Falls and states that rural life agrees with her.

Alivia, Veterinary Assistant
Alivia graduated with a major in Agricultural Science and a minor in Animal Science at SDSU. She has extensive experience in agriculture and in working with livestock, and has experience as a dog care technician. Alivia hopes to continue in this profession, preferably on the large animal side. She is, originally, from eastern Minnesota.

Marlene, Financial Manager
Marlene grew up near Lake Benton and graduated from Mankato Commercial College. She started her career with Western Veterinary Clinic in 1978, which is the year the present clinic was built. For many of those years, she was the first contact to clients either on the phone or coming into the clinic. Presently she works part-time and handles the financial matters of the clinic. Marlene is married to Mike and they have two grown children, Myron and Michelle. Since the tornado of 2011 took their Lake Benton home, she commutes from Sioux Falls. She states, "Western Vet Clinic is my home away from home!"

Karlee, Office Manager
Karlee joined our team in May 2018. As office manager, Karlee oversees the day to day workings of the clinic. She grew up in Tyler and has a great cat named Shea. She enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering in many aspects at her church, and reading.

Jilian, Assistant
As a high school assistant, Jilian helps wherever needed in the office. An important part of this job is to help keep the office clean and supplies filled for the Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians. This opportunity will help Jilian decide if this profession suits her for the future. She is also active in sports and FFA, and helps at her home farm.