Dr. Tara obtained her Bachelor of Science and her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology from Northern State University in 2011. She then went on to attend the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in May 2015. Dr. Tara also became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (or a board-certified veterinary practitioner), specializing in canine and feline practice in 2022. She is one of only a handful of veterinarians in Minnesota who have completed this certification process in canine/feline practice. She joined the Mission family in 2015 and is passionate about providing high quality healthcare at an affordable cost while supporting and educating clients on how to best advocate for their animals. Her special interests include emergency/critical care, internal medicine and dentistry. She has multiple furry children at home—a petite black lab named Millie, a highly energetic shepherd/husky mix named Lexi and some rambunctious cats that keep her and her husband very busy and constantly vacuuming. In her spare time, she enjoys playing soccer, reading and spending time at her family's lake cabin.