Meet Our Equine Veterinary Team

Paul Weitz, DVM

Paul grew up in Salisbury, Vermont on a family farm with one of every kind of animal. He attended Whittier College in California for his undergraduate degree and then went to Tufts Veterinary School in Boston, MA for his DVM. Following vet school, he completed an internship at Alamo Pintado Equine Hospital in Santa Barbara California. In Paul’s early career, he worked for equine practices in Australia, New Jersey, New York and Saudi Arabia. He started the practice in Minnesota on June 26, 2002 and has been working to help horses and their owners since. He currently resides in Northfield with his wife Stacie and sons, McCoy and identical twins Luken & Quinn.

Melissa Johnson, DVM

Melissa joined the practice in October 2007 after graduating from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2007. She spent her first months as a veterinarian working at Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, IA. Although she loves Minnesota, she attended Iowa State University for her undergraduate degree and will forever be a Big 12 fan (sorry Gophers)! In her free time, Dr. Melissa enjoys hiking, camping and exploring with her daughter Lillian and dog Alex.

Mary Huerter, DVM

Mary grew up on a small acreage in a valley west of Dubuque, Iowa. After years of begging, her parents found her a free pony and expanded their dog run to accommodate her larger size. She later acquired a thoroughbred and competed him in Eventing for many years before his retirement in 2003. In 2004, Mary graduated from college with a degree in English. She worked in journalism and archaeology for a number of years before returning to veterinary school to work with horses once again. Mary graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. She then completed a year-long equine veterinary internship at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services in Anoka, Minn. Following her internship, she worked for a small ambulatory practice near Chicago, but jumped at the chance to return to a smaller community in Minnesota in 2018. In her spare time, Mary enjoys riding her horse, Scooter, hiking with her dog, Bridget, and her boyfriend, Craig, exploring breweries, camping, backpacking, cycling, reading, and flintknapping.

Ceara Suther, DVM

Ceara grew up just outside of Rochester, Minnesota on a small acreage with cats, dogs and chickens. She went to University of Minnesota as an undergraduate, then went onto the University of Glasgow in Scotland where she received her veterinary degree. She spent her first few years after graduation at Midwest Equine, a practice associated with the University of Illinois. In her free time, Ceara spends time with her cats Lewis and Harris, and dog, Oban, also enjoys whisky tasting, reading, and baking.

Maggie King, DVM

Maggie grew up in Le Sueur, Minnesota on a family farm with horses, miniature donkeys, sheep, show pigs, 4H beef cattle, and an assortment of poultry. Her equine interests began at 8 years-old when Pepper the Wonder Pony, the world's kindest, most perfect 36 year-old POA mare, joined the family on Christmas Eve. Her family has bred and raised Thoroughbreds for many years since, and she currently has a 6 year-old OTTB. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College for her undergraduate degree, earned a Master's degree at University of Iowa, and graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2022. In her spare time, Maggie enjoys being outside, spending time with family and friends, cooking, baking, crafting, DIYing, brewing beer with her Vet School brewing buddies, and hanging out with her new Labrador puppy, Ripley.

Diana Cemensky, Vet Technician

Diana was born and raised in New Prague, MN. She graduated in 2013 with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology from the Minnesota School of Business- Shakopee. After graduating, Diana worked at a local breeding farm for two years. In addition to spending time on her family’s farm, Diana enjoys riding her horse, spending time with friends, and being outdoors.

Jessica Kuehl , Veterinary Technician

Jessica grew up in Saint Paul Park, MN. She graduated from the University of WI-River Falls in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in equine animal science. She then went on to graduate with her associates degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Argosy University in 2016. She likes to spend most of her free time with her 3 horses. She also enjoys being outdoors, reading, and spending time with close friends.

Jill, Office Staff

Jill grew up in Lakeville, MN. She completed Cosmetology school and worked several years as a cosmetologist . Recently she worked for a local builder handling office administration duties.

Jill has 2 girls that are active in swimming and softball. She enjoy’s riding her horse, Hiking with family, and gardening.

Katie, Office Manager

Katie grew up in Wisconsin. She graduated from Argosy University with her Associate in Applied Science degree in Veterinary Science in 2007 and worked as a small animal CVT until 2021. Katie lives with her partner, Justin, their two sons, two dogs, three cats, and five Polish chickens. She enjoys home projects and spending time outside with her family and pets.

Ahsha Payne, Veterinary Assistant

Ahsha grew up in Eden Prairie, MN. Her passion for horses began at 5 years old, watching the horse shows at the Minnesota state fair. At the age of 12 she rescued her first horse. She had her first experience competing at 13 and hasn’t looked back. Working on the backside of Canterbury Park she gained an affinity for working with OTTBs. She has also worked with trainers across multiple disciplines. Ahsha has taken courses in equine assisted trauma based therapy and looks forward to continuing her education. Ahsha currently enjoys showing, volunteering with her local horse organizations and building her family’s horse facility with their 4 Rottweilers, 5 cats and 7 horses.

Ali Schubert, DVM, Veterinary Intern

My name is Ali Schubert and I’m a native of Raleigh, North Carolina. I went to undergrad at NC State studying biochemistry and stayed at NC State for vet school. I grew up riding hunter/jumper at a lesson barn and have a special spot in my heart for lesson horses! I love sports medicine, but my priority is becoming a well rounded veterinarian so I can provide the best care for my patients regardless of what they need. When I’m not working, I enjoy riding horses and taking my dog, Oakley, on walks and hikes. I’m very excited to learn from the fantastic doctors at Weitz Equine this year and help serve your horse community!