PEQUOT LAKES ANIMAL HOSPITAL - Key Persons


Dr. Blake Setness

Job Titles:
  • Owner
  • Veterinarian
Dr. Blake Setness was born in Park River, North Dakota, and was raised in Neche, ND, located in the far northeastern portion of the state along the Canadian border. He attended his primary school at North Border Public Schools in Pembina, ND. While growing up, Dr. Setness realized he wanted to become a veterinarian while taking care of multiple species of animals, including rabbits, birds, fish, and dogs. Following high school, Dr. Setness attended the University of Minnesota Crookston, where he graduated in 2013 with a BS in Animal Science with a pre-veterinary emphasis. While attending the University of Minnesota Crookston, Dr. Setness was active in the animal science program and competed as a student-athlete playing football. He continued his veterinary education at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2017. Since then, Dr. Setness practiced at a busy small animal clinic in Grand Forks, ND, until moving to the Brainerd Lakes Area in August 2019. In his free time, Dr. Setness enjoys the outdoors, watching sporting events, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his fantastic wife, Marie. Dr. Setness and Marie have a son, Arthur, who keeps them busy. The Setness family loves to spend time outdoors and take care of their two dogs, Gus and Sophie, and two cats, Oliver and Franklin.

Dr. Deb Brown

Job Titles:
  • Owner
  • Veterinarian
Hello! My name is Dr. Deb Brown, and I am the owner of Pequot Lakes Animal Hospital. I grew up on a farm in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. I knew I wanted to be a vet since I was seven years old after taking care of my first pets, a pair of lambs named Bo and Peep. I graduated from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN with a bachelor's degree in biology. I continued my training at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1994. I enjoy all aspects of veterinary medicine. My special interest is integrative/holistic medicine. I earned my certification in veterinary acupuncture from the Chi Institute in Florida in 2001. I have also studied Chinese herbal medicine, western herbal medicine, food therapy, and homotoxicology (bioregulatory medicine). I want to be able to heal the whole pet and not just treat the symptoms of the disease. I love helping pets and their owners! When I'm not at work, I like spending time with my two cats, Rosebud and Diamond Sparkles. I enjoy reading suspense novels, camping, and kayaking Minnesota's 10,000 lakes.

Dr. Rachel Ganske

Job Titles:
  • Veterinarian
I am Dr. Rachel Ganske, an associate Veterinarian at Pequot Lakes Animal Hospital. Originally, I am from Lakeville, Minnesota, and knew from the age of three that I wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My parents liked to joke that we lived in a small zoo growing up, thanks to my passion for animals. I graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Science with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science and Minor in Marine Biology. I continued my education at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and in May of 2020 received my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. My family has always been holistically oriented in our health practices, ultimately leading to my interest in pursuing alternative, integrative, and holistic medicine modalities for animals. I was certified in veterinary acupuncture for small and large animals through the Chi Institute in Florida in 2020. I plan to pursue chiropractic care, food therapy, homeopathy, nutrition response testing, and Chinese herbal therapy in the future. I truly believe that the body can do a tremendous amount of healing if given the right tools to do so. I love helping animals become the healthiest version of themselves. When I'm not working, I love to spend time outdoors, especially in the water as I am a Scuba Divemaster. I enjoy traveling to new places and immersing myself in cultures that are unfamiliar to me. And most importantly, I love spending time with my family! Including my two dogs, Roxi and Ellie, of course.

Kalli Randall

Job Titles:
  • Director of Administration / Veterinary Techniciam
My name is Kalli Randall; I graduated from Ridgewater College in May 2014 in the Veterinary Technician Program. I have loved animals for as long as I can remember and knew that going to school to work with animals was something I needed to do. I started working with Dr. Brown and the excellent staff here at Pequot Animal Hospital in January 2015. I have two wonderful little boys, Rowan and Xander, who are my whole life and keep me on my toes. I also have a cat named Boomer. I love spending time with my family and friends and getting to know new people. I am glad to say that I am part of this team and that I love my job and helping advocate for our furry friends.

Nichole Ostermann

Job Titles:
  • Certified Veterinary Technician
Hi. My name is Nichole, and I am a Certified Veterinary Technician here at Pequot Lakes Animal Hospital. I graduated from Argosy University in 2011 and received certification not long afterwards. I have lived most of my life in the Cities, but I am greatly enjoying it up north in the Great Lakes area. I have been an animal lover since a very young age. My parents always said I would rather play with my stuffed animals than any doll. I enjoyed growing up with three dogs in my family and spending my summers around my uncle's goats and helping out a family friend with her horses.