Owner & Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Jessica graduated in 2011 from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Prior to establishing Victoria Veterinary Hospital in 2019, she worked as a solo veterinarian at the France Avenue Pet Hospital in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Dr. Jessica is well-versed in all aspects of small animal medicine, surgery, and dentistry. Her passion, energy, and enthusiasm show each day through her positive attitude and tireless ability to find solutions for each individual pet and their health needs. Dr. Jessica enjoys serving clients’ pets throughout each stage of their lives and through diverse medical conditions. She is a skilled surgeon and emergency medical professional.
Outside of work, Dr. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and two Miniature Schnauzers. As a professional boxer and an avid runner, you’ll find that she can keep up with just about anything that comes her way! Dr. Jessica is a part of the Victoria community and she looks forward to being there for you and your pets for many years to come.
We are delighted that you would consider us for your pet care needs and would love the opportunity to get to know you and your animals. Victoria Veterinary Hospital is a full service small animal hospital, ready to assist in most types of medical, prevention, dental, and surgical needs for your cat or dog. For the best medical care, we prefer to schedule time with you and your pet on a regular or annual basis. However, we are also able to tend to pet emergencies; we just ask that you call ahead so we may be prepared. We want to be there for you and your pet!
At Victoria Veterinary Hospital, we pride ourselves on being thorough and strive to provide the highest quality medical and surgical care possible for your furry family member. We will find the best results for your pet’s health by working with you to make individualized treatment plans for each patient. We always take time to listen. We want to be sure that you have your questions answered in the clinic and that you know the plan of action for your pet.
Veterinarian
Dr. Hammes grew up on acreage with horses in Waconia, learning to love her family, the outdoors, and of course, animals! She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia in 2013, prior to earning her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, in 2018. While attending veterinary school, she met and married her New Prague classmate, Joe. Shortly after graduation, they moved to Washington to start their careers. Six years and two children later, the Hammes’ moved back to Minnesota to be closer to their extended family. Starting new careers, purchasing a new home, and welcoming another baby made 2025 a big year!
She considers motherhood her biggest blessing and her greatest achievement. Her children keep her very busy– and joyful– outside of work. She and her family enjoy their free time in many ways; being outside, reading, baking, and being involved in their Catholic parish community. One day she hopes to have several standard poodles, but their family dog keeps her smiling in the meantime! She aspires to have horses again; but for now, she’s content to get her horse fix at her daughter’s riding lessons.
Dr. Hammes is grateful to be a part of the VVH team where she can share in the mission of providing quality veterinary care with a group of positive and driven people. Her interests include dermatology, dentistry, urgent care, and surgery. She enjoys problem solving, learning new skills, and getting to know clients.
Veterinarian
Dr. Mira (or Dr. Z) grew up in Northern California where she attended UC Santa Barbara for her undergraduate degree. After graduating from Ross University, College of Veterinary Medicine, in 2022, she completed both a small animal rotating internship and an ophthalmology specialty internship, at the University of Minnesota, Veterinary Medical Center. Her time at the U of M led her to join VVH and call Minnesota her four-season home.
Dr. Mira has a special passion for ophthalmology, but also enjoys many other facets of veterinary medicine including; nutrition, surgery, and small animal medicine. She loves being able to be an active guide for animals throughout all stages of their lives in order to make them comfortable and happy.
In her free time, Dr. Mira enjoys cooking and spending time with her two dogs and her husband. She and her husband have a life goal of creating a homestead with vast gardens and many different types of animals, especially goats.
Customer Service Representative
MaryJo has been a Customer Service Representative with Victoria Veterinary Hospital since 2021. Outside of her work at VVH, she and her husband enjoy taking road trips together and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Customer Service Representative
Shannon joined VVH in 2021, at our previous location. She holds a B.A. in Business Management, with a focus on hospitality, from the Minnesota School of Business. Her people-centric experience prior to joining VVH is extensive, with seven years in hospitality and three years as a skilled Veterinary Receptionist. Fun fact: her identical twin sister is her roommate! Shannon has a menagerie of animals including 2 dogs, 7 cats and one rabbit.
Customer Service Representative
Eden joined the team at VVH in the summer of 2020, after completing her Masters of Music (M.M.) in Flute Performance. A dog whisperer at heart, she enjoys being a friendly face for both pets, and their people, when they come to the clinic. Eden is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Musicology and she plans for a future position as a college professor. She enjoys spending part of her week at VVH and thinks it is a great way to be involved with her favorite thing outside of music— pets.
Customer Service Representative
Liz joined our front desk team in the spring of 2025. Originally from Minneapolis, she enjoys living west of the cities today. She has always loved animals and enjoys being able to see the variety of pets that come to visit the clinic each day. She’s a pet mom to one cat and a tortoise! Liz enjoys baking and sampling special desserts in her free time.
Customer Service Representative
Allison joined our front desk team in December of 2025. She brings with her many customer service skills from other industries. That experience, and the fact that she was raised with four siblings and many pets, means that she can handle anything that comes her way! In the past, she volunteered for an equine therapy program, helping children experience the joy of horses. She’s currently Auntie to two Golden Retriever puppies. Allison loves spending her free time going to concerts with friends, reading, and being artistic
Veterinary Technician
Brittnay is a 2015 graduate of Ridgewater’s Veterinary Technician program, where she studied in the Australian Bush and experienced amazing animals in wildlife rehabilitation. She’s been passionate about animals since she was small! Today she has her own “amazing little band of misfits;” which includes 1 dog and 6 cats, which keep her busy. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing, crafting, fishing, gardening, nature photography, and finding new adventures with her husband.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Amanda is a graduate of North Dakota State University’s Veterinary Technology program. Prior to joining the VVH team, she spent 10 years working at a veterinary clinic in Burnsville. Being a member of our team at VVH is much closer to home, which allows her more time with her husband and children during the week! She and her family have two cats. Amanda enjoys crafting and projects in her free time.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Colleen earned a Bachelor of Arts from St. Catherine University before pursuing her passion to become a veterinary technician. She earned her A.A.S in Veterinary Technology from Argosy University in the spring of 2009. Colleen joined Victoria Veterinary Care in November 2018, before Dr. Jessica established Victoria Veterinary Hospital! Colleen enjoys helping in the exam rooms and is particularly interested in parasitology, urinalysis, and patient care. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the family cabin and spending time with her Mom. Colleen resides in Chaska with her sister and a medley of dogs!
Veterinary Technician
Anyssa joined VVH’s team of Veterinary Technicians at our new location, in the spring of 2025. Originally from L.A., Anyssa attended UWRF for her undergraduate degree and has been working in the field for over five years. Dog mom to one, her free time is mainly spent with her pup and fiancé. She also loves to read—you might want to ask her what her current favorite novel is when you see her!
Veterinary Technician
Alli is originally from the picturesque town of St. James, Minnesota. After high school, she attended the Veterinary Technology Program at Ridgewater College, where graduating in 2025. She’s currently working toward her CVT certification. In her free time she is very musical. Alli plays both the ukelele and the piano! Outside of work, she enjoys spending her free time with her friends.
Veterinary Assistant/Medical Ordering Assistant
Alyssa joined the VVH team in the fall of 2021. An all-around animal person, her past includes extensive experience with livestock. Her pet companions currently include two white German Shepherds. In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with family, taking road trips, and trying new coffee shops!
Veterinary Assistant
Selena joined VVH in May of 2021 as a full-time Veterinary Assistant. In May of 2023, she graduated from SDSU with a B.S. in Animal Science. Her love for animals currently has her working with small animals part-time at VVH, and farm animals, elsewhere. She enjoys living on a hobby farm with her husband, two horses, two goats, two dogs, and a number of ducks!
Veterinary Assistant
Carli comes to us with a background as a TMA and CNA, working with people in memory care, for the past several years. She brings kindness and compassion, along with her love of animals, to her position as Veterinary Assistant at VVH. Currently she is a “dog mom” to two dogs. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors– camping, boating and exploring in nature!
Veterinary Assistant
Ella grew up in Prior Lake and attended the veterinary technician program at Dakota County Technical College, after high school. She joined VVH’s team of veterinary assistants in February of 2026 with five years of veterinary clinic experience under her belt. Ella loves being able to be an advocate and voice for animals! She especially loves Golden and Labrador Retrievers, because she has one of each. Ella enjoys spending her free time hunting with her dogs, and going to the cabin with her boyfriend, family and friends.
Kennel Assistant
Luke came to VVH in 2022 with a passion for working with animals. He loves dogs especially, but has learned to love cats since joining our team. A graduate of Mayer Lutheran High School, Luke previously worked at West Country Kennels. Luke has two pets, a Yellow Labrador, and a Calico cat. Outside of work, he enjoys hunting, fishing, pet sitting, and being artistic—he paints and does woodworking– in his free time.
Kennel Assistant
Emily joined our staff after we moved to our new location. A Minnesotan her whole life, she’s grown up with animals, working with them professionally for almost 5 years. She has two cats, the youngest is two-years-old. Emily is currently in a program to become a veterinary technician. She has plans to continue her education with the hopes of becoming a veterinarian! In her free time, Emily loves being outside. She also loves being creative, working on crochet, or painting in watercolor and oil.
Kennel Assistant
Mazie joined our staff of kennel assistants at our new location, in the fall of 2025. She lives on a hobby farm with a variety of pets that keep her quite busy. She shows horses, including miniature horses! Mazie will be attending school next year to become a Certified Veterinary Technician.
Kennel Assistant
Ella joined VVH at our previous location, in the summer of 2024, as a freshman in college. Having grown up with pets, Ella has a great passion for caring for animals. This passion is leading her toward her goal of going to veterinary school, after she receives her undergraduate degree. She has 4 pets at home—2 cats and 2 dogs. A busy college student, Ella plays Division 1 ice hockey where she attends in New York. In her free time, she loves to explore new places and find great food and coffee wherever she is.
Practice Manager
Holly came to VVH in 2022 — all the way from the great state of Montana! She quickly became a valued member of the team in her role as Veterinary Assistant. Having had managerial experience running her own business in the past, Holly’s skills made her the perfect choice for Practice Manager at our new hospital facility. Outside of VVH, Holly is a dog mom to one very cute pup. She also enjoys hiking, reading, and exploring new places in her spare time.
Social Media & Marketing Manager
Noelle holds a B.A. in Mass Communication/Media from the University of St. Thomas and recently earned an A.F.A. in Art from Normandale Community College. She joined VVH in 2019 when Dr. Jessica created the new clinic! Noelle enjoys getting to know both people and their pets, but especially loves capturing photographs of fun moments with the animals and staff that are the heart of VVH! When she’s not at the clinic, you can find her being creative in the art studio making pottery, weaving, or painting.
Marketing Assistant & Clinic Photographer
Graham joined VVH as a photographer, while still a high school student, in 2020. Having recently received his B.A. in Communications from SJU, he’s joined our marketing department, helping to showcase our new building with up-to-date photos and videos. In addition to his photography work at VVH, Graham has a passion for sports photography, working for MLB as a Content Creator during the baseball season. Graham also enjoys the outdoors spending time hiking and traveling with his wife.