About Us
About Onalaska Animal Hospital
Meet Dr. Nicole Azene
Dr. Nicole Azene brings extraordinary expertise to Onalaska Animal Hospital and the La Crosse community, having practiced veterinary medicine in the private sector, academia, and as a federal employee.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Nicole earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2005. She also completed post-doctoral training in laboratory animal medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In addition to time spent in small animal private practice, Dr. Nicole has cared for animals at various nonprofit rescue organizations. As a federal employee, she provided veterinary oversight and preventive medical care, managed chronic diseases, and led her division’s intensive care unit at the National Institutes of Health. She further serves as Attending Veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.
Dr. Nicole moved to the Coulee Region in 2013. Her passion for nurturing the human-animal bond continues to grow along with her desire to provide pets with the best medical and surgical services in the Coulee Region. This prompted her to open Onalaska Animal Hospital in 2022. Dr. Nicole takes special interest in helping dogs and cats live their best lives by managing chronic diseases and educating owners on the importance of good oral health for their pets.
Away from veterinary medicine, Dr. Nicole enjoys a busy life with her husband and three children. They share their home with Dr. Nicole’s mother as well as Oliver, a dachshund whom Dr. Nicole rescued during her first year in veterinary practice.
Meet Dr. Scott Macon
Dr. Scott has been a small animal veterinarian for over 20 years, bringing a wealth of experience in clinical practice and surgery. In addition to his general surgical expertise, he specializes in procedures such as adrenalectomies, spays and neuters, and perineal urethrostomies across various species.
Dr. Scott earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he served as president of the Omega Tau Sigma veterinary fraternity. He is an active member of both the Minnesota and American Veterinary Medical Associations. Before attending veterinary school, he pioneered and taught the first veterinary assistant program at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois.
An animal lover from the start, Dr. Scott’s early career included working as a marine mammal research assistant for the Walt Disney Company and training dolphins for the U.S. Navy.
Outside of work, Dr. Scott enjoys time with his wife and three daughters. Two of his daughters are pursuing their own careers, while the youngest is still at home.
Meet Dr. Jenna Buley
From a young age, Jenna Buley was captivated by the idea of helping animals and was known for rescuing injured wildlife near her family home in Holmen — whether it was birds, rabbits, or toads. That childhood passion blossomed into a lifelong calling marked by compassion, dedication, and a commitment to healing.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2009, Dr. Jenna holds bachelor's degrees in biology and zoology. Her professional path has included roles ranging from barn crew to a large animal student technician during her undergraduate and veterinary school years, building a strong foundation for her veterinary career.
Today, Dr. Jenna has practiced veterinary medicine for over 15 years, bringing extensive experience with various species. In addition to her clinical practice, she has served as a clinical instructor at the UW-Madison veterinary school, and in 2018, she founded and directed a community-focused animal clinic that provided accessible care to a wide range of animals, including guinea pigs, dogs, cats, snakes, lizards, rabbits, rats, frogs, chickens, and more. She most recently served as medical director at an urgent care veterinary clinic.
Her leadership roles and commitment to advancing animal welfare throughout her career have shaped her holistic approach to patient care, and she takes pride in crafting treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each patient and their family.
When she's not working, Dr. Jenna enjoys spending time with her heeler named Violet and retired veterinary school teaching horse named Worthy.
Where Every Pet is Family
Michelle Hemp
Michelle Hemp
Michelle Hemp serves as a practice consultant to Onalaska Animal Hospital. It’s a role she is extremely qualified for after serving as a veterinary practice manager for more than 25 years, including at Onalaska Animal Hospital.
Not only does Michelle have extensive experience in veterinary practice finances and operations, but she also has a deep affection for animals. She was a pet therapy volunteer with her border collie Teddy for eight years. Through that experience, she witnessed the power of the animal-human bond and how deeply animals benefit our lives. She and her family were recognized for that service when the Coulee Region Humane Society named them Volunteers of the Year.
Michelle is a native of West Salem, Wisconsin. She and her husband Brian raised their son Sam in the region and are also parents to Bella and Harley, mixed-breed Maltese-Chihuahuas.
Rita Miller
Referral Veterinarian
Rita Miller, DVM, MS, ACVIM Diplomate
Dr. Rita Miller is a board-certified veterinary specialist in small animal internal medicine.
At Onalaska Animal Hospital, Dr. Miller serves as a valued veterinary consultant providing abdominal ultrasounds and echocardiograms to patients.
She earned her DVM from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Her training also includes completion of a small-animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Guelph in Canada and a master’s degree from the Ohio State University.
Dr. Miller also serves as an assistant clinical specialist in small-animal medicine at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and provides telemedicine consults for Idexx Laboratories.
Steven Timm
Referral Veterinarian
Steven Timm, DVM
Dr. Steven Timm is a mobile veterinary surgeon who practices in southwestern Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota.
Onalaska Animal Hospital is fortunate to utilize Dr. Timm’s expertise in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. Steven enjoys the challenges of helping to treat pets throughout the driftless area.
Dr. Timm is a DVM graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. His experience includes wildlife epidemiology and surgical sterilization, emergency and critical care as well as over twenty years as a mobile small animal veterinary surgeon.
In his spare time Dr. Timm has an old country farmhouse he cares for, and enjoys the fishing, hiking and wildlife of this region.
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Brandi Aliesch
Brandi Aliesch
Brandi brings 25 years of experience to her post as hospital director where she’s responsible for clinical training and oversight of the veterinary technicians and assistants.
Brandi also assists with surgery, dentistry, laboratory work, X-ray and IV catheter placements and is especially skilled in working through emergency situations. She says the best part of her job is learning something new everyday. And she especially enjoys being part of a Fear Free, compassionate team.
An animal lover at heart, Brandi has two dogs, Chili and Willow, and four cats, Noodles, Smores, Weeny and Pepper. In her free time, she most enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, whom she says are growing up very quickly.
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Shannon Lamb
Shannon Lamb
As a Certified Veterinary Technician, Shannon is responsible for patient care, client education, and assisting the doctors in surgeries. Of her responsibilities, she most enjoys surgeries because “It’s the same but always different,” and she’s most passionate about client education because the more pet owners understand, the better (and longer the life) for the pet. When she’s not looking, you may just catch her narrating for pets at the hospital.
She began her career working for a groomer before attending vet tech school at Rochester Community and Technical College. She joined Onalaska Animal Hospital with 12 years of experience working with animals.
When not caring for animals at the hospital, she’s caring for her own: a five-year-old King Charles Cavalier named Sheldon and a one-year-old domestic short-haired cat named Navi. She also likes to hike, kayak, and camp.
Kayla Beron
Kayla Beron
Kayla Beron is a veterinary technician, assisting Dr. Nicole in surgery, dental care and appointments, along with drawing blood, running laboratory work and taking X-rays. Her fun, caring personality puts both clients and patients at ease. Kayla says she’s glad to be part of Onalaska Animal Hospital because it blends state-of-the-art equipment and work-life balance with excellent care and customer service.
In her free time, Kayla likes to spend time outdoors with her husband and son camping or on the river. She also appreciates getting together with friends and family, and, of course, playing with Saber, her Catahoula/coonhound mix.
Cassandra Lallas
Cassandra Lallas
Cassandra Lallas is a veterinary assistant who's been working with animals since 2016. Her favorite part of her job is meeting new pets and engaging with clients, both of which come naturally to this friendly, positive, animal-loving person.
When she isn't walking Blue, her four-year-old border collie/husky/lab mix, Cassandra likes to cook, hike and explore the Coulee Region. She has an associate degree from Oakton College.
Julia Hamlin
Julia Hamlin
Julia Hamlin is a veterinary assistant who loves forming relationships with client and their pets, which is easy to do with her great personality and gift for empathy.
On the job, she enjoys the atmosphere at Onalaska Animal Hospital and her co-workers, and she especially likes working with exotics at the clinic. She likes to stay active when off the clock, boating, running, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite role is being mom to Lily, her 12-year-old Dachshund mix/Staffordshire terrier
Olivia Waltman
Olivia Waltman
Olivia Waltman is another smiling face you’ll see when you come to Onalaska Animal Hospital. Olivia is a customer service representative who brings experience from the pet world. In addition to loving her three-year-old Hound mix, Hudson, she fosters more than 15 dogs, cats and kittens and volunteers at the Coulee Region Humane Society. Her favorite thing about working at Onalaska Animal Hospital is the team work; she says the staff is like family to one another.
Sara Sherrard
Sara Sherrard
Sara Sherrard serves as a customer service representative. She delights in establishing relationships with clients and patients and brings exceptional compassion to her work. She has an associate degree from Western Technical College.
A firm believer in the animal-human bond, Sara has a dog, Mylee, and a cat, Nala. On her days off, you’re likely to find her spending time outdoors with family, hiking, camping or ice fishing.
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Zoe McDonald
Zoe McDonald
Zoe McDonald is as much a pet person as a people person, making her a great fit at Onalaska Animal Hospital. She loves interacting with and getting to know people and their pets.
Zoe has a certificate in veterinary office assistance from Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas. With over 10 years of experience, she has worked with both large and small animals in positions at an animal shelter, doggy daycare, and veterinary clinics.
Demonstrating her love for pets, she has two chocolate labs (three-year-old brothers named Huck and Otto), with whom she enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with friends and family.
Emily
Emily
Emily prefers to be known as a professional puppy pamperer. She has worked with animals since 2017 and began grooming pets in 2019. Her end goal when she began grooming was to work for a veterinary clinic, and she said when she saw Onalaska Animal Hospital for the first time, she knew it was the place for her. Emily joined our team in 2024, bringing patience, a creative heart, and experience from animal shelters, pet stores, daycare, and boarding facilities. Outside the animal hospital, she enjoys gardening, fishing, camping, audiobooks, and coloring, and stays busy with her husband, toddler son, two dogs (Jade, a 12-year-old coonhound, and Penny, a 15-year-old chihuahua) and cat (Luciano, age 8).
Offering A Broad Range Of Veterinary Services In Onalaska Under One Roof
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