Doctors and Staff

Dr. John Erfle
	Dr. Erfle grew up on a wheat and cattle ranch near Billings. He attended Montana State University and earned his veterinary degree at Washington State University, moving to the Flathead Valley after graduation. John has been in practice since 1976. What he began as a small and large animal clinic with Dr. Gerald Slobojan has evolved through large animal only and eventually into the current equine specialty clinic. John and his wife, Linda, have three grown children, who have given him plenty of photos of grandchildren to clip to his vet truck visor. They also have an assortment of horses, dogs (including the inimitable Gus), and one priceless donkey. In his free time, John enjoys taking to the backcountry with his horses and fly rod, although he freely admits that while he likes to fish, he really is not any good at it.

Dr. Denise Steele
	With her summer ’06 marriage, Dr. Denise Schwartz is now Dr. Steele – the same vet you know and trust! A Minnesota native who grew up in North Carolina, Denise began her education locally at Flathead Valley Community College. She first became involved at LaSalle Equine Clinic (shadowing Dr. Erfle and working in the front office) during her one year of undergraduate school at Montana State University. She went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Colorado State University in 2000 and to finish an equine internship at an equine referral practice near Boise, Idaho. She rejoined the team here in 2001. Dr. Steele believes that one of the keys to success is to offer the clients the latest in techniques and procedures by staying abreast of the new information in the profession. Denise enjoys vetting and competing in regional endurance rides, and looks forward to fall and winter for hunting and snowmobiling. She and her husband, Trae, began reaping the wonderful benefits of parenting when Arwynne Jo made her grand entrance in June, 2007.

Dr. Bob Genovese
	In early July, 2006, equine veterinary care in the Flathead Valley stepped up a notch with the arrival of Dr. Bob Genovese. Bob attended the University of Washington and graduated from Washington State University veterinary school in 2001. He then moved back to his native Ohio to practice with his father, Dr. Ron Genovese, in a large equine ambulatory practice. His five years there, influenced by both his father and Dr. Brett Berthold, were concentrated mainly on hunter/jumpers and specializing in lameness issues. Here in Montana, Bob and his wife, Melissa, who is a small animal vet, spend most of their time chasing their young twins, Mason and Olivia, around their Whitefish home.

Dulcie Tonjum
	Dulcie, a Kalispell native, graduated from Flathead High School in 1991. She started at LaSalle Veterinary Clinic in 1990 cleaning and assisting in the small animal clinic, and eventually moved into the receptionist position. Now, she has every answer to any question anyone in the office can ask! Dulcie’s warm personality, friendly smile and willingness to help brighten our office. Like all of the staff at LaSalle, Dulcie and her husband, Britt, enjoy spending time with their animals, which include two Jack Russells and two pleasure horses.

Gus
	Gus, LaSalle’s Chief of Security, is a 9 year old Boston Terrier with a penchant for people food. Ranked among his greatest accomplishments are his abilities to clear a room in a matter of seconds (see aforementioned people food penchant) and to recognize the footsteps of people who regularly bring a biscuit. Clients who merely bring in horses with no regard for Gus’s highly esteemed position rarely deserve his favor and immediately go onto his “Suspicious Two-Legger” list.

Linda Erfle
	Linda grew up in the small eastern Montana town of Rapelje, Montana, and married Dr. Erfle in 1972. The proud mom of their three grown children, she is now an even prouder grandma. She graduated from Washington State University with a business degree and worked for several years in the insurance industry. She officially joined the staff at LaSalle Equine in 2003, although she was a familiar face to many of the clients long before then. In her spare time, Linda enjoys traveling, gardening, and participating in activities at church.

Andrea Brunz
	From the time she was eight, Andrea would gaze across the Wyoming plains at the distant mountains and wish with all her heart that she could ride off into the sunset. 25 years later, she and her answered prayer, Glory, spend as much time together as life with her husband, Will, their four teenage children, a thriving equine photography business and a newborn publishing business (Glory Ranch Publishing) allows.

Carisa Hoerner
	Carisa worked as a veterinary technician at our neighbors, Central Valley Animal Hospital, for three years before moving across the driveway to LaSalle. Her husband, Jay, owns Drop Tine Builders, which gives Carisa the opportunity to work a job she truly loves and that fits into her “mom” schedule with Trevor, 9, Madysen, 4, and Camren, 3. She also makes time for her horses, riding for hunting, on trails, and learning to sort. Barrels also hold her interest – a definite endeavor to pursue when she can!

Jaimee Greene
	Originally from Alaska, Jaimee graduated from Flathead High in 1994 and received her Associates Degree with a Medical Secretary Option from FVCC in 1996. After working as a veterinary technician at a small animal practice, Jaimee made good use of her degree in our front office. Upon return from maternity leave when she and her husband, Todd, welcomed their daughter, Jordyn, into the family, Jaimee transitioned back into a tech position. The Greene family has since added another daughter, Tayler. A childhood spend as a 4-H club member showing both horses and cattle, teenage involvement with FFA, and time as an adult spent on trails, ranch sorting, team penning, and learning barrel racing has provided her with valuable experience well taken advantage of here at LaSalle Equine Clinic.

Roger Doely
	Roger hails from the small community of Rapelje, Montana. He received his training in Veterinary Technology in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and has been an integral member of the staff at LaSalle since 1980. In addition to his technician duties, Roger is also responsible for inventory management and purchasing. Cattle, sheep and horses keep Roger and his wife, Wendy, busy on their small farm on Trumble Creek Road. Although spare time is still hard to come by even with kids Josh and Krysta no longer at home, the Doelys find time to enjoy their favorite pastime, team roping.

Abbie Hutton
	Abbie was born and raised in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. After high school, she earned her Associates Degree in Forestry from the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Combining a life-long love for horses with forestry, she spent several years “horse logging”. She landed a job with an outfitter in Glacier National Park and made the move to Montana. Abbie enjoys backcountry outfitting with her ponies, exploring all this country has to offer.

Steve Carmer