Coon Rapids Pet Hospital is a full-service animal hospital and welcomes both routine and urgent care cases by appointment. We also see pet patients in need of diagnostic services, surgical, and dental care. Our doctors have many years of experience treating serious conditions and offering regular pet wellness care.
Coon Rapids Pet Hospital is proud to serve the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area for everything pet-related. Our animal hospital is run by Dr. Jay Epping, who is a licensed, experienced veterinarian.
Dr. Jay Epping
Owner/DVM
Dr. Jay Epping graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 and has been practicing at both the Blaine Area Pet Hospital and Coon Rapids Pet Hospital since then. His special interests include orthopedics and soft tissue surgery. Dr. Epping currently does veterinary related consulting for such shows as Minnesota Bound and The History Channel’s Monster Quest. Outside of the office, if Dr. Epping isn’t fishing, he’s probably going fishing. He has two dogs, both Pudelpointers, Monte and Drax.
Dr. Mary Johnston
DVM
Dr. Johnston graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Her interests include soft tissue surgery and wound treatments (especially cat abscesses!). Originally from Georgia, she has enjoyed the everchanging seasons of the North. She has 4 cats that she shares with her husband. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, crafting, painting, and decorating her home!
Dr. Amy Alexander
DVM
Dr. Alexander, a recent transplant from Houston, Texas, graduated from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. Her interests include surgery, reproduction, and kitten/puppy exams of course! When she isn’t spending time with her two dogs, Finn & Sprocket, her cat, Asterix, and her tortoise Petunia, you can find her outside. She loves sports (rugby, football, and (newly) hockey), camping, or traveling.
Martina M.
Office Manager/Veterinary Technician
Martina started her veterinary technician career in 1987 when she graduated from the Medical Institute of Minnesota. She has rescued many pets over the years with the most recent: Shaddow, her grey domestic shorthair, he was tossed from a moving car. And Paws, a mixed pup that was only 2 days old when she first brought her home.
Genna T.
Veterinary Technician
Genna started at our sister clinic, Blaine Area Pet Hospital, in 2019 as a receptionist and eventually got trained as a technician. She came over to Coon Rapids in November of 2020. She has been in the veterinary field off and on since 2004 in various clinics, boarding, and grooming facilities. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her son and her two cats, Eli and Oscar.
Nicole S.
Veterinary Technician
Nicole graduated from the Medical Institute of Minnesota in 1998 with an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology. She worked at Blaine Area Pet Hospital and Coon Rapids Pet Hospital from 2002 to 2005. She then worked at the University of MN Veterinary Medical Center in surgery and ICU. She got her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management in 2011. She came back to Coon Rapids Pet Hospital in June of 2022. When she is not at work she enjoys spending time on her hobby farm with her Scottish Highland cattle, chickens, peafowl, ducks, sulcata tortoises, hognose snakes, several species of frogs, several pet birds, insect collection, poodle Ernie, Pomeranian Wicket, and cat Lambert.
Taylor W.
Veterinary Technician
Taylor graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology. She always wanted to be a zoo keeper but during the pandemic she found herself in veterinary medicine and loved it enough to stay. She has worked at Coon Rapids since March of 2023. When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with her Australian Shepherd Marty and German Wirehaired Pointer Wally, 7 rabbits, leopard gecko, and 2 horses.
Stacy L.
Veterinary Technician
Stacy graduated from Ridgewater College in 2020 with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology. She started working at Coon Rapids Pet Hospital in July of 2023. Stacy has 2 cats and a dog at home. While not at work Stacy enjoys playing video games and working in the garden during the spring and summer months.
Kaoyer L.
Veterinary Technician
Kaoyer graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2023 with a B.S. in Animal Science. She started at Coon Rapids Pet Hospital in June 2024. In her free time she likes playing tennis, badminton, and taking Flopper, she is a 6 year old Papillion, on a walk around the lakes.