Meet our Board Members

Leslie Goldblatt, DVM, Board President
Dr. Goldblatt became a veterinarian because of her love for animals and her wish to help their owners care for them. Dr. Goldblatt is a co-owner of Golden Valley and Greenbrier Animal Hospitals where she spends most of her days. As a board member of ACF she enjoys the ability it provides for her to help pets and their owners in her community. She has served as a board member for over 20 years! In her time away from the clinic, Dr. Goldblatt is fond of spending time with her grandchildren, reading, walking, and traveling (especially if it involves scuba diving). She lives with her husband and their rescue dog, Beanie.
Dr. Goldblatt became a veterinarian because of her love for animals and her wish to help their owners care for them. Dr. Goldblatt is a co-owner of Golden Valley and Greenbrier Animal Hospitals where she spends most of her days. As a board member of ACF she enjoys the ability it provides for her to help pets and their owners in her community. She has served as a board member for over 20 years! In her time away from the clinic, Dr. Goldblatt is fond of spending time with her grandchildren, reading, walking, and traveling (especially if it involves scuba diving). She lives with her husband and their rescue dog, Beanie.

Beverly Mains, DVM, Board Treasurer
Dr. Mains spent her youth caring for injured and orphaned creatures. She turned this calling into a career when she attended veterinary school at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Mains practiced at South Hyland Pet Hospital for most of her career. As a member of the board Dr. Mains likes being able to help animals, people, and her community all at the same time! She has served on the board for more than 10 years. She is now retired and enjoys traveling, gardening, and leisurely days spent reading. She and her husband live in Minneapolis with their dog, Kaydin.
Dr. Mains spent her youth caring for injured and orphaned creatures. She turned this calling into a career when she attended veterinary school at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Mains practiced at South Hyland Pet Hospital for most of her career. As a member of the board Dr. Mains likes being able to help animals, people, and her community all at the same time! She has served on the board for more than 10 years. She is now retired and enjoys traveling, gardening, and leisurely days spent reading. She and her husband live in Minneapolis with their dog, Kaydin.

Houstoun Clinch, DVM
Dr. Houstoun Clinch is the co-owner or TLC Veterinary Hospital, which he established in 2005. A 1993 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Clinch brings lots of experience in veterinary medicine to the Animal Care Foundation board. He is committed to expanding access to veterinary care for individuals and families in need, ensuring that pets receive the care they deserve. His passion for improving the lives of both pets and their owners drives his work with the foundation, where he collaborates with other dedicated professionals to strengthen community support for animal welfare.
Dr. Houstoun Clinch is the co-owner or TLC Veterinary Hospital, which he established in 2005. A 1993 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Clinch brings lots of experience in veterinary medicine to the Animal Care Foundation board. He is committed to expanding access to veterinary care for individuals and families in need, ensuring that pets receive the care they deserve. His passion for improving the lives of both pets and their owners drives his work with the foundation, where he collaborates with other dedicated professionals to strengthen community support for animal welfare.

Amanda Craft, DVM
Dr. Amanda Craft is the owner of Animal Haven in Little Falls, Minnesota. A graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, she has over 16 years of experience in veterinary medicine. Dr. Craft is excited about providing compassionate and skilled care to animals and their families. As a board member of the Animal Care Foundation, she is committed to making veterinary services accessible to those in need and supporting the bond between pets and their owners. Her work reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the human-animal bond and supporting the well-being of pets and their people.
Dr. Amanda Craft is the owner of Animal Haven in Little Falls, Minnesota. A graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, she has over 16 years of experience in veterinary medicine. Dr. Craft is excited about providing compassionate and skilled care to animals and their families. As a board member of the Animal Care Foundation, she is committed to making veterinary services accessible to those in need and supporting the bond between pets and their owners. Her work reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the human-animal bond and supporting the well-being of pets and their people.

Robert Gehrman, DVM
When Dr. Gehrman was young, he watched his father working as a veterinarian caring for pets and helping his clients and felt drawn to continue to give this care. He attended the University of Minnesota Veterinary school and began practicing as a veterinarian in 1968. Noting the importance of the bond between people and their pets, Dr. Gehrman was inspired to start the Animal Care Foundation of Minnesota with other like-minded veterinarians. Providing the care needed to the pets of low-income seniors and folks with disabilities helps ensure that these folks can benefit from this relationship. In his free time Dr. Gehrman enjoys spending time with his family, using his four-wheeler to explore natural areas, and traveling. Now that he is retired, he splits his time between Minnesota and Arizona.
When Dr. Gehrman was young, he watched his father working as a veterinarian caring for pets and helping his clients and felt drawn to continue to give this care. He attended the University of Minnesota Veterinary school and began practicing as a veterinarian in 1968. Noting the importance of the bond between people and their pets, Dr. Gehrman was inspired to start the Animal Care Foundation of Minnesota with other like-minded veterinarians. Providing the care needed to the pets of low-income seniors and folks with disabilities helps ensure that these folks can benefit from this relationship. In his free time Dr. Gehrman enjoys spending time with his family, using his four-wheeler to explore natural areas, and traveling. Now that he is retired, he splits his time between Minnesota and Arizona.

Mari Kuennen
Mari Kuennen is the curator of the Veterinary History Museum at the University of Minnesota. Her lifelong passion for history and animal welfare led her to pursue a Master of Arts in Art History and a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies at the University of St. Thomas. She also holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota. Mari’s career includes work as a collections intern at the Minnesota Historical Society, an animal technician at the Animal Humane Society, and a historic site interpreter at Eidem Farm. As a board member, Mari is excited to help pets and their owners while fostering community connections.
Mari Kuennen is the curator of the Veterinary History Museum at the University of Minnesota. Her lifelong passion for history and animal welfare led her to pursue a Master of Arts in Art History and a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies at the University of St. Thomas. She also holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota. Mari’s career includes work as a collections intern at the Minnesota Historical Society, an animal technician at the Animal Humane Society, and a historic site interpreter at Eidem Farm. As a board member, Mari is excited to help pets and their owners while fostering community connections.

Lisa Overlin, Board Member
Biography Coming Soon
Biography Coming Soon

Joyce Tesarek, DVM
Dr. Tesarek has been intrigued with animals for as long as she can remember. It was no surprise when she took that love to a new level and attended veterinary medical school. Dr. Tesarek recently sold Minnehaha Animal Hospital and Pet Doctors Animal Clinic and is enjoying retirement. She believes that the bond between humans and animals is beneficial to both and that everyone should have the chance to share their life with a pet. However, caring for a pet can be expensive. For her, that is where ACF does its most important work. Joyce has been on the board for over 20 years helping low income seniors and folks with disabilities access veterinary care. In her free time, Dr. Tesarek is active with the Czech and Slovak Sokol Group, likes to study the Enneagram, travel, and garden. She lives in Minneapolis with 2 cats, Kitty and Margo.
Dr. Tesarek has been intrigued with animals for as long as she can remember. It was no surprise when she took that love to a new level and attended veterinary medical school. Dr. Tesarek recently sold Minnehaha Animal Hospital and Pet Doctors Animal Clinic and is enjoying retirement. She believes that the bond between humans and animals is beneficial to both and that everyone should have the chance to share their life with a pet. However, caring for a pet can be expensive. For her, that is where ACF does its most important work. Joyce has been on the board for over 20 years helping low income seniors and folks with disabilities access veterinary care. In her free time, Dr. Tesarek is active with the Czech and Slovak Sokol Group, likes to study the Enneagram, travel, and garden. She lives in Minneapolis with 2 cats, Kitty and Margo.