Whether you live across the street or across town, the Animal Clinic of Spokane is your neighborhood vet.
Animal Clinic of Spokane is a small animal veterinary hospital located in North Spokane providing comprehensive preventative and surgical care.
We are a busy four doctor practice. Each of our doctors has unique areas of interest and work together to provide well-rounded veterinary care for your pet. From dogs and cats to exotics, the staff at Animal Clinic of Spokane strives to provide gold standard medicine, treating your pet with the same care as one of their own.
Animal Clinic of Spokane has been dedicated to providing quality medical care for the last 75 years. Originally established in 1925 by Dr. Stratton, the clinic was initially known as Stratton Animal Hospital. It was purchased by Dr. Philip Pfarr in 1944 then later sold to his son, Dr. Michael Pfarr, in 1980. In 1993, the clinic was completely destroyed by a fire that started in the basement. Working out of a trailer in the back property, The Animal Clinic of Spokane reopened in 1994. In September 2011, Dr. Matt Schmidt and Dr. Luther McConnell purchased the practice from Dr. Pfarr. Since then, we have continued to grow, now with four full-time veterinarians and a large staff.
Dr. Schmidt is from the Spokane area and graduated high school from Gonzaga Prep. In 1999, he graduated from Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine. After receiving his DVM, he practiced veterinary medicine at the Mid-Columbia Veterinary Clinic in Goldendale, Washington for a year before moving back to the Spokane area to work for the Associated Veterinary Group. In 2001, he became a partner in the Associated Veterinary Group and, together with Dr. Luther McConnell, helped build Mt. Spokane Veterinary Hospital where they worked together for over a decade before purchasing Animal Clinic of Spokane. Dr. Schmidt is also an adjunct professor for Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine teaching senior veterinary students. He and his wife, Shelley, have four children: Madeline, Jack, Katie, and Luke. The Schmidt family enjoys spending their free time in the outdoors: hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and skiing. Dr. Schmidt also dedicates his free time to coaching youth basketball and football at Saint Thomas More School. He has two dogs, two horses, and a herd of cattle.
Dr. McConnell has lived in the Spokane area since 1985. He is a graduate from the University of Autonoma Veterinary Medicine in Juarez, Mexico. He worked for Associated Veterinary Group, principally as an Equine and Bovine practitioner for many years before starting his own mobile practice. In 2001, Dr. McConnell and Dr. Schmidt partnered with another veterinarian to form what is now known as Mt. Spokane Veterinary Hospital. When not at home working on his farm, he and his wife, Laura, enjoy packing into the wildness with their horses and mules. They also enjoy fishing on high mountain lakes and kicking back around a campfire. Along with various rehabilitated enjoyed wildlife around the farm, Dr. Luther has two dogs, five horses, three mules and a milking goat.
Dr. Gentemann was raised in a military family, traveling throughout the United States and Europe as he grew up. His extended family and 'Home' have always been in Washington State. He attended the University of Washington and graduated from Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. Dr. Gentemann and his wife Jody have 2 children, Michor and Ava. They share their home with 2 dogs, Tucker the Greyhound and Phoebe the Golden Retriever. They also have 2 cats, Buddy and Biscuit. When he has free time, Dr. Gentemann is outside somewhere with his family hiking, biking, rock climbing, camping, boating, anything they can do to be outside. His favorite passion is fly fishing, whenever possible he's out on a river somewhere with a fly rod in hand.
Dr. Roginski was born and raised in Spokane. She attended Washington State University for an undergraduate degree and is a 2018 graduate of Midwestern College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Roginski and her husband love the Pacific Northwest, spending their free time outside camping, hiking, and more recently cycling. They have a cat named Wilson and a Golden Retriever named Summit, who goes just about everywhere with them.
Dr Kitchel recently relocated to Spokane from Moscow, Idaho and will be a semi-regular relief veterinarian at our clinic. Dr. Kitchel first filled in for Dr. Roginski while she was on maternity leave, but Dr. Sue's bright personality and careful care for her patients and clients means we are happy to say she'll continue to be a regular face on our team. She graduated from the Washington State University of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. After graduating, she worked at the Animal Clinic in Moscow for 16 years, before she transitioned her practice to relief work. Dr. Kitchel also taught a class on Companion Animal diseases at University of Idaho before moving from Moscow. She has two Australian Shepherd puppies and two cats at home. Dr. Kitchel also has a husband, Allen, and three adult children. When she is not working, Dr. Kitchel enjoys camping, skiing, walking her dogs, and hanging out with friends.
Jandi is a Licensed Veterinary Technician who graduated from Yakima Valley Community College in 2002. She has been a part of the Animal Clinic of Spokane family since 2013. She has been married to Jason for over 10 years. She has a step-son, Jacob, and together they have a set of twins: Ryker and Tannah. In her spare time, she enjoys working in her garden and hiking the trails of the greater Spokane area. They have two dogs and two cats.
Annie was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, and attended college in Tucson, AZ. In 2003, while living in Tucson, she earned her license as a Veterinary Technician. Annie has two wonderful children, two dogs, and a guinea pig. Annie joined the Animal Clinic Family as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in July 2017. Before having kids, Annie enjoyed competing and training dogs in multiple dog sports, especially agility. Now, she spends her free time gardening, reading, traveling and exploring new places. She also enjoys hiking whenever possible. Most often, her free time is filled with watching her son compete in hockey or supporting her daughter's educational pursuits.
Clara has lived in the Nine Mile Falls area her entire life. She joined the Animal Clinic of Spokane team in 2015. Clara completed the Veterinary Technology program at Yakima Valley Community College in 2020, and we were thrilled to welcome her back as a Licensed Veterinary Technician. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors with her husband, Max. Together they have three cats and two dogs and recently welcomed their first daughter.
Rebecca has lived in Washington State for the last 11 years. She graduated from the Veterinary Technician Program at Yakima Valley College in 2020 and shortly after joined the Animal Clinic of Spokane team. She enjoys spending time at home reading and cuddling with her senior cat, Nami. Since joining our clinic, Rebecca has discovered a passion for animal dental care.
Samantha started as a part-time licensed veterinary technician in December 2023. We were very lucky to have her accept a full-time position at our clinic in June 2024. Full bio and picture coming soon.
Katie is from Ione, Washington. She moved to Spokane to get a degree in biology and is working toward becoming a Wildlife Biologist. Katie has been with Animal Clinic of Spokane since October 2019 and she has a cute kitty named Casper who can high five on command!
Seneca was born and raised in Spokane and graduated from Shadle Park High School in 2012. She completed the Veterinary Assistant program at Carrington College in 2019 and joined the Animal Clinic of Spokane team in February of 2020. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, swimming, and camping with her boyfriend Kyle, their golden retriever Sadie, and their family and friends.
Mackenzie has lived in the South Hill Spokane area her entire life. She joined the Animal Clinic of Spokane team in May of 2021, after she was done nannying for the family she had been with for 2 years. Mackenzie enjoys competing with her half Arabian horse, Chase, in her free time as well as doing her nails. Mackenzie currently has 4 dogs, 3 cats, and a horse at home.
Emili started with Animal Clinic of Spokane in the Winter of 2021 after working as a receptionist and kennel assistant at The Pet Emergency Clinic. Emili also brings years of experience as a supervisor in the fast-food industry and from scheduling roles in human medicine. Emili currently has a Pit Bull Terrier named Luna. In her free time, you can usually find Emili exploring a new crafting hobby or cooking up a new recipe for her family or roommates.
Salecia was born in Vallejo, California and came to Spokane as a little girl. She joined us May of 2023 after completing the Veterinary Assistant program at Carrington College. Salecia likes to help her boyfriend of 5 years work on his car and learn about mechanics in her free time. She also has a 3-year-old pit bull named Thor, who inspired her to get into the veterinary field.
Dom grew up as a Bay Area native and only recently came to Spokane. From 2021 to 2023, she spent time working at a family-owned equestrian facility learning to train and ride young horses. Working there started her burning passion for animals large and small, and led to Dom starting a new life in Washington. With love especially for snakes, tarantulas, and frogs, she is eager to handle any and all critters. Away from work, Dom enjoys attending plays, video editing, horseback riding, and collecting feathers from birds of prey. As her chosen companions, she has a toad, a gecko, and a cat named Finn.
Debbie has been with the Animal Clinic of Spokane family as a receptionist and office manager since 2001.In 2022, Debbie chose to move away from her office management role in order to spend time with her new grandchild. Debbie and her husband, Frank, have one daughter, Sara, who is a veterinarian at our clinic. They have raised Golden Retrievers over the last 25 years. Debbie likes to spend her free time working in her yard, decorating for the seasons, and making memories with her grandchild.
Liz was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. She graduated from Marycliff High School in 1967. She married her husband, Marve, in 1968. Together, they have three children and four grandchildren. She worked for Dr. Sagerson and Hughes for 45 years and started working for Dr. Luther and Dr. Matt as a receptionist in 2006. She owns chickens, rabbits, and cats.
Barb was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. She graduated from Central Valley High School in 1970. She is married to her husband, Ted, who recently retired from the U.S. Postal Service Vehicle Maintenance. Together, they have two sons, two grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She worked for Rosauers Supermarkets for nearly 30 years and started working for Dr. Matt and Dr. Luther as a receptionist in 2008. They have four cats and two horses: Bobby-O and Joe.
Kendra began working at the Animal Clinic of Spokane in Fall of 2022 as a veterinary receptionist. Her lifetime love for animals and interest in veterinary medicine only grew after spending a few years living on a farm. She quickly became a valuable part of our team who is always eager to gain knowledge about animal health. Beginning in 2023, Kendra has started cross-training as a veterinary assistant to put some of her increasing knowledge and skills into practice.
Cassandra joined Animal Clinic of Spokane in January 2024, shortly after moving to Washington from New Mexico with her husband and 2 children. Cassandra has aspirations of a career in veterinary medicine and we are pleased to be the first clinic she's worked at on her journey. Full bio coming soon.
Lara joined the clinic in January 2024. We are pleased to have her sweet nature and caring personality as part of our team. Full bio coming soon.