Our Doctors
Dr K and LenaDr. Kate Knutson is a 1996 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests include dentistry, oncology, dermatology and behavior.

Dr. Knutson’s dental practice has been featured in industry publications such as Veterinary Practice News and Trends magazine. She is a frequent speaker on veterinary dentistry and other topics both nationally as well as locally on KARE-11 and Fox 9 TV, and is an author of the American Animal Hospital Association Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Dr. Knutson receives referrals from all over the Midwest for advanced dental work.

Dr. Knutson has served on the Board of Directors of the American Animal Hospital Association and was elected that group’s president for the 2013-14 term. She has also served as the president of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics and Chair of the Pet Nutrition Alliance, an international group dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of proper pet nutrition.

She is the proud mom of several four-legged children.

Informative articles by Dr. Knutson:

Dr BDr. Steve Barghusen is a 1994 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. As a student, he was awarded the Caleb Dorr Medal for graduating first in his class. After graduation, he pursued advanced training in companion animal medicine and surgery at the Cornell University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Ithaca, New York.Dr. Barghusen is a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, specializing in canine and feline practice. As of 2018 there are only 3 practicing ABVP Canine/Feline specialists in the state of Minnesota. Dr. Barghusen’s professional interests include ophthalmology, internal medicine and laser surgery.

In addition to practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Barghusen is an attorney concentrating on issues that affect pets and their people. His main legal interests include how the law views animals, and how people can provide for the ongoing care of their pets via wills and trusts.

Dr. Barghusen lectures and publishes papers and articles on medical, ethical and legal topics. He is also a participant in the University of Minnesota’s Community Practitioner training program for veterinary students.

He is the proud dad of several poorly behaved cats and dogs and a very cute tree frog.

Some of Dr. Barghusen’s articles:

Dr Jamie Lynn SolgatDr. Jamie Lynn Solgat is a graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. You may recognize her from her 10+ years at Pet Crossing before graduating vet school. She was an international scholar at Cambridge University’s Department of Veterinary Medicine in the summer of 2018 and is an active member of the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners). She is currently an ABVP (American Board of Veterinary Practitioners) resident under Dr. Barghusen, specializing in canine and feline practice.

Dr. Solgat’s other professional interests include internal medicine, oncology, and pain management. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and teaching the students that come through Pet Crossing, just as she did.

In her off time she can be found spending time with her fire fighter husband Ed, her cats, Madame Marie Purrie, Colonel Cornelius, Henry McCabe, her dog Bella Lynn, reading lots of books and crafting.

Be sure to follow Madame Marie Purrie on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/madamemariepurrie/?hl=en

Dr Olivia Dengel

Dr. Olivia Dengel is a 2023 graduate of the  University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout her veterinary education, Dr. Dengel participated in several student run clinics designed to bring basic veterinary medical care to low income communities within the Twin Cities and throughout several reservations located throughout Minnesota. She remains an advocate of community medicine and plans to continue her involvement in these organizations as a licensed veterinarian in a mentorship capacity in addition providing care to her Pet Crossing patients. 

Dr. Dengel’s professional interests include behavior, nutrition, and preventative care. She is passionate about improving patient welfare and preserving the human-animal bond. 

In her time outside of the hospital she can be found spending time with her rambunctious Golden Retriever, Fezzik, who was named after a character from one of her favorite movies (The Princess Bride). She also enjoys rock climbing, drawing, and watercolor painting.