Dr. Halsor has practiced veterinary medicine at Alburnett Veterinary Service since graduating from Iowa State University in 1989. He is a native of the Cedar Rapids area, and he and his wife, Linda, reside in rural Center Point with their Labrador named Junior. They have two grown children (Madeleine and Sam). Dr. Halsor is a long-standing member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Association and has been active in local veterinary groups. Dr. Halsor enjoys the outdoors, especially annual trips to Canada and the Great Lakes. He is also an avid trapshooter.

Best Pet Advice: Your pet can be a 10-15 year commitment. Choose wisely and give them lots of love.

Dr. Plazek is a Pennsylvania native where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania before attending Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduating in 2021. Her professional interests include nutrition, dentistry, and preventative medicine. She also especially enjoys working with feline patients and in shelter medicine. Dr. Plazek loves veterinary medicine because she never knows what each day will bring. Every patient and their family are different with their own unique needs. Her goal for every patient is to design individual plans to help each one live the best life possible. She currently resides in Marion with her German Shepard, Monaco, and 2 cats, Bentley and Tucker. When she is not in the hospital, she enjoys baking, traveling, and wine tasting.

Dave has worked at Alburnett Veterinary Service for over 31 years. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979. Years later, Dave returned to school to get a veterinary technician degree. He has five grown children and four grandchildren, with a fifth on the way. Dave has quite the menagerie of animals. He has three dogs (Ludwig, Leona & Cracker), a horse (Captain), seven farm cats, peafowl, chickens, guinea fowl, muscovy ducks, and a turkey. Dave enjoys spending time with his grandkids and thinking up pranks to play on them. When veterinary medicine leads to a positive outcome, he appreciates his role as a veterinary technician.

Best Pet Advice: The following items are on my “gotta go or gotta know” list, including fad diets, choke chains, stretchy leashes, Flexi-leads, harnesses, and pinch collars. Some of them shouldn’t be in use. However, some of them can be used with care but must be used safely and effectively.

Dee has lived in Cedar Rapids for many years now after relocating from the east coast. She is originally from South Carolina and has lived in many states due to her father’s military service. Dee was awarded her Associate of Applied Science degree in veterinary technology in May 2002. She also is certified in nutrition. Dee joined Alburnett Veterinary Service in March 2009. She finds fractious cats a challenge and loves her job and all the different animals she has encountered over the years (snakes, a tortoise, cougars, panthers, skunks, and a kangaroo.) She also enjoys educating clients about caring for their pets and the importance of training and keeping them healthy. Dee enjoys spoiling her Great Danes named Triton (RIP) and Frozen, who think they are lap dogs, as well as her cats (Leo, Blue, and Ara). She enjoys walking, traveling, the ocean, attending concerts, and spending time with her five grandkids.

Best Pet Advice: Pets are truly amazing but remember they are animals and have their limits. It’s important kids know how to respect pets and their boundaries.

Carie has been with Alburnett Veterinary Service since 2016. She lives with her husband, three kids, and two cats Nero and Taco. Caring for animals has been a lifelong passion for Carie. She loves seeing our patients grow and enjoys being involved in their care at each stage of their life. She enjoys hiking and camping with her family in her free time and exploring Iowa’s many parks and trails.

Best Pet Advice: Trim your puppy’s toenails while they are young, so they are acclimated to it when they get older.

Emily started with Alburnett Veterinary Service in May 2020 after graduating from Coe College, where she majored in biology and minored in chemistry. She was born and raised in Riverside, Iowa, where she grew up surrounded by animals. Emily currently resides in Cedar Rapids with two friends and her cat Bob, who she adopted this past November. While Emily is fascinated by veterinary medicine, she is particularly interested in dermatology, radiology, and pharmacology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering at SAINT Cat Rescue, boating, and doing yoga.

Best Pet Advice: Always take pride in your pet’s health by making sure they are safe and by asking questions!