Backlund Animal Clinic : Meet the Staff

Meet the Staff

Dr. Backlund is a life-long resident of Omaha. He graduated from Iowa State Veterinary School in 1975, and opened the Backlund Animal Clinic in 1977. He is a past president of the Nebraska Academy of Veterinary Medicine and former Hospital Administrator for the Emergency Clinic. Dr. Backlund was instrumental in starting up the Animal Emergency Clinic in Omaha.

Pets: Golden Retriever, Kaylee; two cats, Izzy and Gabby.

Family: Dr. Backlund and his wife, Jeanne, have three children and two grandkids, Karsen and Jase.

Favorite Thing: When dogs sit without being asked.

Dislikes: When pet owners don't take Bob Barker's advice.

Michelle Beck, DVM, CCRT

Dr. Michelle graduated from Kansas State Veterinary School in 2007, and Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2008. Michelle started Canine Rehabilitation and Wellness as an additional service of Backlund Animal Clinic in 2009. Click here for more information.

Pets: Labrador Retriever, Madison; and five cats, Maverick, Mira, Warble, Curby and Freeway.

Family: Michelle and her husband, Shaun, were married in November and are expecting a baby boy in April 2010!

Favorite Things: Kitty-eye-sniffs and puppy breath.

Dislikes: Nebraska statute limiting pets per household.

Janet Warneke, Veterinary Technician

Janet is an Omaha native and attended South High. She is a graduate Medical Technologist. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1984, and has worked in animal health since 1981. She has extensive knowledge of lab techniques and microscopy in addition to being a superb animal nurse. Janet's interests outside the clinic are crafts and gardening. She and her husband, Mark, are also wine aficionados.

Pets: Three cats, Ike, George and Smudge.

Favorite Things: Cats and yarn.

Sarah Westrom, Veterinary Technician
Sarah is from New England. She has a degree in fine arts from Alfred University in New York State and certification in Veterinary Technology from Bel Rea Institute in Colorado. She worked in Denver for 5 years before joining us in February of 2007. Sarah is a photographer in her spare time and has aspirations of shooting professional pet portraits.

Pets: Two dogs, Bugsy and Cassie; and three cats, Lucky, Ozzy and Angele.

Favorite Thing: When dogs smile for photographs.

Stacey Price, Veterinary Assistant
Stacey is originally from Littleton, Colorado. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley with a degree in Biology. As the daughter of a veterinarian, she has had a life long love and respect for animals. She takes great pride in caring for pets. When she is not at the clinic Stacey enjoys cuddling up with a good book or knitting. Stacey is taking classes in sign language and hopes to help as an interpreter for the deaf. Stacey has two nieces and two nephews that she adores and tries to see as often as possible.

Pets: Willie, the fetching cat.

Anne Kurgan, Receptionist
Anne is from Blair, NE and graduated from Blair High School. She shows her three Quarter Horses, Alex, Archie and Bella, in local competitions and is also interested in Canine Agility Training. She occupies her free time boating on the Missouri River. She has been married to her husband, Mike, for 2 years.

Pets: Two Corgies, Gizmo and Petey; a Miniature Pinscher, Zeus; and a Persian cat, Priscilla.

Deb Dvorak, Kennel Assistant