Our Team
Get to Know Our Doctors
Our Team
Meet Our Doctors

Ricci Kelso, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarian
I grew up on a farm near LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Once when I was 12, one of our cows got sick. The vet was too busy to help, so my mother and I did some of the doctoring ourselves. That was when I knew I wanted to become a veterinarian. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with my Bachelor of Science in 1984. I completed my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the U of M Veterinary School in 1989. One fun fact very few people know about me is that I was born in Germany and know how to speak German. I enjoy my job at the Belle Plaine Animal Hospital because of the caring, creative, and dedicated team I work with, as well as the hundreds of clients who love their pets. When I’m not at work, I love gardening, reading, biking, and spending time with my family and our Standard Poodle, Louie.

Liz Aldridge, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarian
I graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. I worked in Des Moines, Iowa before moving back to the Twin Cities in 2016 where I have been ever since. I joined the Belle Plaine Animal Hospital team in 2021. I grew up in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and graduated with honors from Iowa State University with my undergraduate degree. I enjoy working with clients to provide high-quality veterinary care to their pets and believe regular wellness care is important for pets to live long and healthy lives. In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, and spending time at family cabins in northern Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. My family includes my husband, Aaron, daughter, Ava, Bernese Mountain Dog/Belgian Tervuren mix, Rais, and our cat, Kika.

In Remembrance of Dr. Marcia Barck
Marcia Claire Barck passed away after a tragic car accident on the morning of March 2, 2021. Marcia graduated with honors from St. Olaf College in 2010 and was a 2014 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She enjoyed working with animals of all shapes and sizes. She loved small-town life and was so excited to be back in the area after practicing for 6 years in central Minnesota. Marcia loved life and filled the world around her with joy. She had a passion for animals and a love for traveling. She visited many countries and lived in Japan and Thailand for a time. Cooking, camping, and the outdoors were other things she enjoyed immensely. Marcia was kind, caring, and compassionate, and she enriched everyone’s lives around her.
~ You will always be in our hearts ~
Meet Our Staff

Nicole Toenies
I love the daily opportunity to meet and interact with pets and their people. Growing up, I’ve always felt a kinship with animals, as my family was never without a pet. I grew up in Minnesota and now live in rural Sibley County with my husband and our Golden Doodle. When not working, I love to cook and watch MN Wild Hockey. I’m hoping to learn gardening this year, and I also love learning about the history of this area.

Squirt
Greeter
Hi, my name is Squirt. I have been with the Belle Plaine Animal Hospital team since April 2005. I love people and all the attention I get from them, so I am usually the first to greet you as you walk in the door. I was found as a kitten with a broken leg by our very own Dr. Ricci. My leg could not be saved so I only have 3, but that has not slowed me down. I am very talented at opening drawers to get up on the cupboards or sneak in behind them to take a nap. I also love curling up in a basket with my buddy, Squeery!

Squeery
Assistant Manager
My real name is Mr. Joseph H. Squeers, but you can call me Squeery Joe. I was named after a one-eyed character in a Charles Dickens novel. As you may have noticed, I am blind in one eye, but that doesn’t stop me from retrieving paper balls and opening doors. I haven’t completely warmed up to all the dog traffic coming and going, although each day gets a little better.