Dr. Lauren Larsen
Owner, Veterinarian
Dr. Larsen is a 2014 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. From a young age, she knew she wanted to become a veterinarian and feels fortunate to live out that dream every day.
In December of 2025, Dr. Larsen assumed ownership of Highland Park Animal Hospital. She is proud to continue operating the hospital as a privately owned, community-focused clinic.
Dr. Larsen has special interests in internal medicine, behavior, and surgery, and enjoys the variety and challenges that each day in veterinary practice brings. She values the opportunity to build lasting relationships with clients while helping their pets live happy, healthy lives.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Larsen lives on an acreage north of Ankeny with her husband, their four children, and what she lovingly refers to as “a few too many animals.” Life is always busy, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Dr. Katie Lundquist
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Katie Lundquist developed a love for helping animals at a young age while growing up in Williamsburg, Iowa. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University and went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from ISU in 2018. After two years practicing mixed animal medicine in the Quad Cities, she returned to central Iowa in 2020 and practiced locally for the next five years before joining Highland Park Animal Hospital in 2026.
Dr. Lundquist is passionate about helping pet owners feel informed and supported in their pets’ care. Her professional interests include dentistry, dermatology, pain management, and early intervention for osteoarthritis, including joint injections as part of a multimodal approach to pain relief.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Lundquist and her husband, who is also a veterinarian, stay busy with their two children and a variety of animals on their acreage. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, horseback riding, reading, and renovating their century old farmhouse.
Dr. Michael Forret
Relief Veterinarian
Dr. Forret grew up in rural Adel, Iowa. As a teenager, he began tagging along with the local veterinarian in Minburn, IA. He attended Iowa State University and graduated in 1982 with a degree in Microbiology. After working and doing graduate work at the National Animal Disease Center and National Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, he attended Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1987. He worked in private practice in Chicago, IL, before relocating to Des Moines and working at the city’s 24-hour animal emergency hospital. In 1994, he purchased Highland Park Animal Hospital. In December 2025, Dr. Forrett transitioned the ownership of Highland Park Animal Hospital to Dr. Lauren Larsen. He continues to work at the hospital on a part-time basis. Dr. Forret resides in Ankeny with his wife and four cats.
Tess
Practice Manager
Tess grew up in Des Moines and developed a lifelong love for animals at an early age. Much of her childhood was spent at Highland Park Animal Hospital alongside her father, Dr. Forret, where she helped with day-to-day tasks and learned from the hospital team. She graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 2006 and pursued a degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Companion Animal Management at Iowa State University, before returning to the clinic full time in 2009. Tess is passionate about building meaningful relationships with clients and ensuring that every pet receives thoughtful, high-quality care and service—care she would expect for her own animals. Outside of the clinic, Tess lives with her husband in Des Moines, and is a proud cat mom to four cats. She enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her nephew.
Sherry
Registered Veterinary Technician
Sherry grew up in Maquoketa, Iowa, and attended Iowa State University and DMACC. She has always had an interest in the medical field and a love for animals and found a career as a veterinary technician the perfect combination. She graduated from the DMACC Veterinary Technician Program and became a registered veterinary technician in 2006. Sherry has been with Highland Park Animal Hospital since 2007 and is skilled in caring for our more difficult feline patients. She currently resides in Ames, IA with her husband, four sons, and 6 cats. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, spending time with her boys, and loves vacationing at the beach with her family.
Laura
Registered Veterinary Technician
Laura grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, she graduated from North High School in 2000 and completed the DMACC veterinary technician program in 2011. Growing up in a family that loved all animals, Laura developed a passion for medicine, science, and math, which fuels her dedication to treating patients from their early puppy or kitten stages through adulthood while providing care that brings comfort to both pets and their owners. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her cats, Daisy and Georgie, and her dog, Gretchen, as well as jetskiing, visiting the dog park, motorcycle riding, reading, and binge-watching TV shows.
Gracie
Veterinary Technician
Gracie has been part of our clinic team since 2025. She graduated from San Joaquin Valley College with an Associate of Arts degree in Animal Science and has been working as a veterinary technician since 2010. Originally from Northern California, Gracie is especially passionate about supporting pets and their families during challenging times. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and her three dogs.
Leah
Registered Veterinary Technician
Leah is an experienced veterinary technician with over 10 years in the field, and a 2017 graduate of Des Moines Area Community College Veterinary Technology program. She joined Highland Park Animal Hospital in April 2026 and is passionate about providing high-quality patient care while building strong relationships with clients.
Known for her positive personality, Leah enjoys connecting with clients and helping them feel comfortable, informed, and confident in their pets’ care. She takes pride in creating a supportive, compassionate experience for both patients and their families.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog and cat. She also enjoys dog walking and dog training.
Niki
Client Service Representative (CSR)
Niki grew up in Des Moines and has been working in veterinary medicine since 2013. With experience in both shelter and clinic environments, she brings a well-rounded, compassionate approach to every animal and person she helps. She has a deep love not only for animals, but for the people who love them too, making her work incredibly rewarding. When she’s not in the clinic, you can often find her doing what she does best: catching dogs and bringing them safely home.
Joeleigh
Client Service Representative (CSR)
Joeleigh grew up in eastern Iowa. As a child, she loved to scare her mom by sneaking snakes and frogs into the house, only to promptly lose them. These days, she’s traded runaway reptiles for a full house that includes cats, dogs, a husband, and a little human to keep up with.
Joeleigh has spent most of her adult life in animal medicine, with experience in both shelter and clinical settings. She has a special interest in helping families find affordable, high-quality care, or creative alternatives, so pets can stay with the people who love them most.
In her free time, Joeleigh enjoys reading, thrifting, gardening, embroidering, and going on adventures with her son and husband.
Randi
Client Service Representative (CSR)
Randi Isaacson has been a dedicated member of Highland Park Animal Hospital since 2008, when she first joined the team right after high school for what was meant to be a summer job. A lifelong north side Des Moines resident, she quickly discovered a passion for veterinary medicine and has remained with the practice ever since. She values the ever-changing, challenging nature of the field, where no two days are the same. Outside of work, Randi enjoys attending local car shows and events with her husband, off-roading, and camping in Colorado with their Australian Shepherd, Jet.