Dr. Jaclyn Carlson Van Lith
Owner, Veterinarian
Hello! My name is Dr. Carlson and I am excited to be the new owner of Homestead Animal Health (previously Prairie Hills Animal Clinic) as of July 2020. I have deep roots in the community here as I grew up in Milbank, SD where I was active in 4-H and FFA. Upon graduation, I attended the University of Minnesota for both undergraduate and veterinary school.
After earning my DVM degree, I took a position with the Minnesota Racing Commission as a regulatory veterinarian for Running Aces Harness Park and Canterbury Park. Wanting to return to the prairie, I accepted a position with a mixed animal clinic in Benson, MN where I practiced for 10 years. When the opportunity to return home arose, we decided to take the leap into clinic ownership.
My favorite subject in high school was science, specifically biology. I also had many animals at home so I combined my enjoyment of science and animals into becoming a veterinarian. I was also impressed with the rapport that the veterinarians that I shadowed had with their clients. The friendly banter showed me that the human connection is just as important as the animal connection. I truly enjoy the problem-solving nature of veterinary medicine. My goal is to maximize every animal’s life so that they can enjoy it to the fullest and share that joy with their people for as long as possible. When a client thanks me for my time, effort, expertise, and help — that reaffirms the journey every time.
I am a member of the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Equine Practitioners. I am excited to begin offering equine veterinary care through Homestead Animal Health. Additionally, I have complete the acupuncture training course through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, so we now offer veterinary acupuncture as well!
My husband, Matt, is a hoof trimmer for cattle with his own business, Wooden Shoe Hoof Care. He has a vertical hydraulic chute that he transports around the countryside performing maintenance and lame cow trims. We are blessed with three children: Madelyn, Addison, & Reese. When not performing veterinary duties or caring for my family, I also enjoy gardening, photography, reading, and horseback riding.
I look forward to meeting you and your pets!
Dr Heidi Sorensen
Dr Sorensen comes to us from Watertown, SD. She splits her time between HAH and the veterinary clinic in Slayton, MN. You will most likely encounter her on Tuesdays at HAH. Dr Sorensen enjoys drinking coffee, exercising, reading, hiking, & kayaking. She is also a strong supporter of the Boy Scounts.
Jamie DeBoer
Office Manager
Jamie was born and raised on a farm in Milbank. Despite growing up on the farm, she was afraid of cows. Now after growing up a bit, she has turned into a big animal loving person. Jamie joined Homestead Animal Health in November 2024. In her free time, she enjoys playing with puppies and kittens, teaching swim lessons, counseling at camp, coaching the Milbank High School marching band’s color guard, and spending time with her family and friends. While at work you can find her doing behind the scenes office work and also helping out anyone at the clinic.
Erika Scoblic
RVT
Erika started working at Homestead Animal Health in 2015. She grew up in Big Stone City so her home has always been here. Milbank and Ortonville were just the extended areas of her “home town” as she had family in both and went to see them often. Erika attended Big Stone City School, and graduated from Ortonville High School in 2010. She had no idea what to do with her life, so she went to the University of Minnesota, Morris for 2 years trying to figure out what to do with herself. She eventually made up my mind to change schools to try out Veterinary Technician work as she always had a soft spot for animals growing up. She first started with a year of generals at Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN. It was different getting used to a technical school verses a university, but it wasn’t too bad. Classes were fun and it was nice knowing she was going to school for something verses just going to school. Erika started Veterinary Technology the next year. The two years she spent at Ridge were some of the best years she ever had. The staff and teachers there are like an extended family. They truly care about each and every one of their students. She met some lifelong friends there and just had a great experience. She graduated in 2015 and did my internship here at Homestead Animal Health and just stayed afterward.
Erika has always loved animals. Always. She doesn’t really know where that passion came from as she only ever had outdoor cats when she was young. She loved watching Animal Planet, mostly The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, but also some of the animal cop shows and other nature shows. Her uncle had a farm with goats, rabbits, llamas, deer, and a whole bunch of critters that she loved when she was small. It wasn’t until Erika’s first dog, Belle, came into her life that the real love and understanding of animals came through. That dog was her absolute best friend. The dogs that have followed have also gotten that place in her heart. So if she has to say where her passion for animals came from, it would be from them. Her dogs. Erika’s favorite thing about working with animals is the knowing that she’s helping them even if she can’t tell them why. They need help and if she can do her part, she will.
Outside of work, Erika is an avid video gamer and technology connoisseur. She loves random knowledge about everything and anything. She loves learning about different cultures and countries, plants and animals, history and space. She enjoys downhill skiing, reading, walks, a show to get involved in, and a good gaming session. She is also very passionate about music and just how important it is in her life. Erika is always singing, humming, or dancing to whatever is stuck in her head. Life is not life without a good song!
Analie Seyer
Veterinary Assistant
Ana joined the Homestead crew in September of 2021. She has always had a passion for horses, although ironically, never thought that she would work in the veterinary field. She started taking riding lessons and working at a local barn when she was 7 years old. She did everything from mucking stalls and feeding, to eventually exercising some of the boarders. She was finally able to purchase her first horse at the age of 17. She always knew that she wanted to work with horses, but wasn’t sure which profession to go into.
After shadowing Dr. Carlson during the summer, she was offered a job and happily accepted. Ana enjoys all the aspects of working at Homestead, but the horses are her favorite. She particularly enjoys equine radiology and laser therapy. She enjoys the variety that veterinary medicine provides; every day brings something different and exciting!
Ana has worked hard to earn her certification as an equine veterinary assistant and is a proud member of the AAEVT. She has also received her certification in both small animal and equine laser therapy.
When Ana is not working, she enjoys working with her horses, playing with her two rescue dogs and writing fantasy novels.
Hannah Fischer
Veterinary Technician
Hannah, also known as HB here in the clinic by her coworkers.
Hannah grew up just outside of Chokio, MN on her family’s farm, where she has horses, goats, cats, and dogs.
She attended Chokio-Alberta school K-12, and graduated in 2021. Hannah has played softball since the 5th grade, and was a part of the Drama department all through high school which she enjoyed a lot!
In her summers between school, she enjoyed riding her horses and competing in the WSCA horse shows, barrel races, which she still does to this day. Hannah also participated in 4-H where she showed horses, and goats for a small amount of time. She has qualified for the Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show a few times, and placed top 10.
Hannah has always loved animals, and it became her passion to help them.
The deciding factor for Hannah to be a vet tech, was when Dr. Carlson came out to her farm to sew up her horse’s leg. She knew right then and there that he wanted to be a vet tech. Hannah shadowed a couple times at Homestead before attending college.
In May of 2023, Hannah graduated from the Vet Tech program at Ridgewater College in Willmar, MN. After graduating college she did her 3 month internship here at Homestead Animal Health and they didn’t let her leave.
She officially started working full time at Homestead in August of that same year.
Hannah always gives everything she can to her patients, and treats them like they are her own. Hannah has been named the cat whisperer by her coworkers, and enjoys assisting Ana in her equine appointments.
Outside of work Hannah enjoys riding her horses, spending time with family, friends, playing slow pitch softball, and going for walks with her dog. She loves being outside, so anything that involves being outdoors.
Gail Wellendorf
Receptionist
I started at Milbank Vet Clinic on June 1 2013. On October 1 of that same year we became Prairie Hills Pet Clinic and Dr Lentz was our vet. On July 1 of 2020 Dr Carlson became our boss and renamed us Homestead Anima Health. It has been such a pleasure working with her. I am at the front desk. Most of the time I will be the person who is at the other end of the phoneline when you call or the person to greet you when you walk in the door. I also do inventory control at Homestead Animal Health.
When I am at Homestead Animal Health (Monday through Thursday) my duties are to answer the phone, control inventory and schedule your pets appointments. I love getting to meet your four legged family members.
I grew up in Graceville MN. While growing up we always had more then one dog, I believe my passion for pets started then. We had everything from teacup toy poodle to Afghan hounds and many sizes in-between!!
My husband Royce and I live on a farm near Ortonville. A few years before starting work here, we decided to get out of Milking cows and farming. Royce is a truck driver, he owns his own truck. That leaves me more time to spend with my pets. We really enjoy the nice weather to play ball outside.
I have three dogs, (most of them rescues) Lola, Gracie and Harley. Harley is our newest. I feel in love with him at first site, that he came home with Royce and I on the back of our bike, in a bag! He is a Miniature Schnauzer. I am so very lucky that I can bring Harley to work with me Daily. That way he gets to play with one or more of the other puppies that are there.
Outside of work, I love spending time with family, esp. our Granddaughter Victoria. When I am not with her, I enjoy cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting and using my Cricut.
I hope to be here for many years to come, so I can help take care of your pets.