Dr. Elaine Schope has been the veterinarian and proud owner of Emerson Veterinary Clinic for the past 30 years. A 1992 graduate of Kansas State University, she was born and raised in Bassett, Nebraska, but has long considered Eagle Grove her true home.

She’s team dog/cat/horse all the way—and her home proves it. Bruno, her lovable (and slightly spoiled) dog, serves as the official treat-seeker. At work, she’s surrounded by five cats: Stripes, HR Harry, Harriett, Blanche, and Lloyd. Back home, her herd includes Duke and Tonto the horses, Jenni the mini donkey, and two Nigerian dwarf goats named Beans and Sweet Corn.

For Dr. Elaine, being a veterinarian is about the special mix of pets and people. It’s challenging, heartwarming, and no two days are ever the same. She’s the perfect example of someone who always knew what they wanted to be when they grew up—and she still loves it just as much today.

Outside of work, Dr. Elaine enjoys spending time with her husband, their kids, and grandkids. She also loves reading, gardening, riding horses, and cruising around on her bike. And if Bruce Springsteen is playing, you can bet she’s singing along—she’s a die-hard fan of The Boss.

Alex Richardson is a proud Webster City, IA native and has been a vet tech at Emerson Veterinary Clinic for the past four years. She loves being part of the team—especially because of her amazing coworkers—and has a soft spot for every pet that walks through the door, even the ones with a little extra attitude.

While she cares for all animals with equal heart, Alex has a special love for German Shepherds. She shares her home with four of them—Kiya, Aspen, River, and Harlow—along with two cats named Strudel and Cheerio. Her love for animals doesn’t stop there—she also has two horses, Max and Tequila, who round out her personal herd.

Alex brings a calm, confident energy to the clinic, and her strength shines through in everything she does. “Tough People” is more than just a song to her—it’s a reflection of who she is. When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find her spending time with her beloved animals, her husband, kids, and the rest of her close-knit family.

Jacqueline Kirstein is a junior at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School and lives in Clarion, Iowa. She works as a vet assistant at Emerson Veterinary Clinic and brings enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine love for animals to the team.

A dog lover through and through, Jacqueline has a golden retriever named Gracie, along with a cat named Hope who helps balance things out at home. She enjoys working alongside the fun and supportive team at the clinic and especially loves getting to observe surgeries—something she hopes to do herself one day as a future veterinarian.

Jacqueline’s dream is to become a vet, and she’s already well on her way. When the studying gets tough, she plans to keep her spirits high with her favorite motivational song, “The Night is Still Young.” With her passion and dedication, there’s no doubt she has a bright future ahead.

Madi Ingebritson is a senior from Dows, Iowa and a soon-to-be graduate of Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School. This fall, she’ll be heading to Iowa State University to pursue an Animal Science degree on a pre-vet track—a big step toward her dream of becoming a veterinarian.

For the past two years, Madi has worked as a vet assistant at Emerson Veterinary Clinic, gaining hands-on experience and soaking up all the knowledge she can. A dog lover at heart, she shares her life with her Australian Shepherd mix, Willow—but her love for animals doesn’t stop there. Through 4-H, she also raises rabbits and poultry, proving that her passion runs wide and deep.

Balancing school, work, and her many responsibilities isn’t easy, and “Beautiful Crazy” is the song that best captures the whirlwind of her busy life. Madi is grateful for the experiences she’s had at the clinic and the foundation they’ve given her for the exciting journey ahead.

Tina Henrichs was born in Fort Dodge and now calls Clarion, Iowa home, where she lives with her favorite four-legged kids—Sunny, Opie, and Louie. Tina has been a groomer at Emerson Veterinary Clinic for the past year, helping pets look their best and feel their best too.

She loves the fun and relaxed environment at the clinic and takes pride in making each animal she grooms shine. And while the animals are her main focus, she’ll admit the coworkers aren’t too bad either!

Outside of work, Tina enjoys drawing and painting, finding creativity in both art and animals. She’s also a lifelong horse lover with years of experience in training them, adding even more depth to her passion for working with animals of all kinds.

Melody Erickson lives in Eagle Grove, Iowa with her husband and son, along with her beloved dog Oreo and their farm cat Otto. She’s been a part of the Emerson Veterinary Clinic family for over 35 years—an incredible run that’s included many roles, though most of her time has been spent doing what she loves most: grooming.

Melody enjoys coming to work each day because of the pets and people who walk through the door—and the fun, supportive team she works alongside. She also feels blessed to work for Dr. Elaine, who she describes as kind and a truly great boss.

Outside of the clinic, Melody is very involved with her church community. Her favorite song is “The Old Rugged Cross,” and she’s always happy to share her faith and the message that Jesus is Lord.

Sara Elkin is a kennel technician who has been part of the Emerson Veterinary Clinic team for the past two years. A lifelong resident of Eagle Grove, Sara brings warmth, care, and a whole lot of love to every animal that comes through the door.

She adores all the dogs and cats we see—especially the free snuggles—and can often be heard chatting with them as she makes sure each one is safe, comfortable, and well cared for. At home, Sara’s just as busy with her own pack of four dogs—Gemma, Cosmo, Lucky Star, and Charlie—and three cats: Ollie, Ethel, and Lorraine.

When she’s not caring for furry friends, Sara enjoys listening to all kinds of music and is always up for a good concert or festival. Her love for animals and upbeat energy make her a valued part of the team.

Amber Karaba is a Clarion native who has been part of the Emerson Veterinary Clinic team for the past 8 years. Over that time, she’s worn many hats, but currently serves as our receptionist—and sometimes jumps in as a vet tech when needed.

While she’s a self-proclaimed cat person, Amber’s home is more like a small zoo. She has two dogs, Grace and Reign, and four cats—Sugar, Peaches, Fuzz Nugget, and Daisy—who split their time between napping and mouse patrol. The family also raises chickens and cows, and if that weren’t enough, they’ve got a few exotics too: a corn snake, a bearded dragon, and a leopard gecko (who are under strict orders to stay home!).

Amber brings a ton of laughter to the office and is known for her quick wit, practical jokes, and keeping everyone on their toes. When she’s not at the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, and has a passion for detailing cars. She loves all kinds of music—and if you know her, you know that life is always either a song lyric or a movie quote!