Our Staff
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Maggie Hirschfield
Dr. Maggie Hirschfield is a 2017 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She is originally from Connecticut and received a bachelor of science degree in Pathobiology and Molecular & Cellular Biology from the University of Connecticut in 2013. She resides on a farm north of Aurelia, IA with her husband Luke and son, McKinley. They have two dogs, Yukon Cornelius, a Rough Coat Collie, and Lainey Lou, a mixed breed dog, many farm kitties, sheep, and chickens. In her “free” time she enjoys horseback riding, cooking and relaxing with friends, and of course adding to the “zoo” at her farm. She has been a member of the Homestead family since graduation in 2017 and purchased the clinic in 2022.
Dr. Connor Butson
Dr. Connor Butson is a 2019 graduate of Ross Vet School. She is originally from Hampton, IA and received a bachelor of science degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. She now resides in Early, IA with her fiance Kellen, four cats, and 3 dogs. In her “free” time she enjoys reading, cows, and Beach Body. She has been a member of the Homestead family since 2022.
Dr. Samantha Ford
Dr. Samantha Ford graduated from Iowa State University in 2017. She moved to Sacramento, California right after graduation to practice exotic animal medicine. Dr. Ford spent 3.5 years working there, learning from a variety of experienced exotic animal vets, as well as a board-certified avian specialist. She moved back to Iowa in 2022 and spent two years working at a small animal and exotics (primarily reptiles and small mammals) clinic in Des Moines. Dr. Ford has spent a great deal of time traveling to various wildlife clinics, zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and wildlife rehab centers all over the Americas. From hummingbirds to rhinos and tarantulas to anacondas, she has seen it all. Dr. Ford has been a member of the Homestead family since 2024.
Support Staff
Stacie Long
Stacie is our lead technician and has been a member of our team since October 2014. She is a Registered Veterinary Technician. She is originally from Oyens, IA. She lives in Spencer with her husband Josh, and three children, Everett, Eden, and Lauren. They share their home with 2 cats, Luna & Toni, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sprout, and a yellow lab, Zeke. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching TV, and reading.
Heather Schmidt
Heather has been part of the Homestead team since the fall of 2020. She started as a kennel attendant while she was completing her technician degree from Iowa Lakes Community College. She graduated in May 2021 and joined us as a technician. She lives with her boyfriend, Luis, and has three cats, Byno, Screamer, and Alvin. In her free time, she enjoys reading.
Tiffany Henkelvig
Tiffany is originally from Aurelia, IA, and completed her Vet Tech training at Iowa Lakes in 2017. She then worked at an emergency clinic in Ankeny, IA, and at ISU Emergency. She graduated from ISU with her Animal Science degree in 2021. She joined our team in July 2021. She now lives in Emmetsburg with her husband, Howard, and has three cats, Fiona, Raisin, and Leia. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends.
Megan Henderson
I am a Registered Veterinary Technician and graduated from lowa Lakes Community College in 2019. I completed my certification and now have over 5 years of experience working in veterinary medicine. I am originally from Worthington MN, but now live in Spirit Lake. I have one cat that I adopted from a client, his name is “Wink.” He has one eye and no tail, but that hasn’t slowed him down! I enjoy drawing blood, doing dentals on patients and now learning more about exotic pets. I always care for each patient as if they are my own!
Renae Thate
Renae graduated from Ridgewater College in 2013 with a degree in Veterinary Technology. She has been working as a Registered Veterinary Technician for over a decade and in 2020 began her journey as a practice manager. Renae enjoys the days when she can work with the animals and assist in surgeries but loves to assist the staff in other ways, such as personal growth, education and work-life balance. Renae sits on the board for the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa and enjoys spending her time with her family and pets on their farm in Minnesota.
Megan Shermer
Megan originates from the Des Moines area but joined us in January of 2025. She graduated from ISU with a degree in Animal Ecology in 2024. Megan hopes to enroll to veterinary school in the near future. Megan’s love for the ocean led her to work with marine species and exotics at the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her personal “zoo” that consists of her dog, cats, snake, and crested geckos.
Rachel Venter
Rachel has been a receptionist with Homestead Small Animal Practice since September 2024. She spent several years working at a veterinary hospital in Colorado before moving back to her home state of Iowa. She currently resides in Milford with her husband, dachshund, Lola, and 3 cats, Abner, Beetlejuice and Rocky. Her and her husband are anxiously expecting their first child in July of 2025. In her free time she enjoys cooking and spending time with her pets.
Tara Dole
Tara is originally from Sanborn, IA and currently lives in Spencer with her husband, Kyle. Together they have 2 cats, Alley and Boo Boo, a French bulldog named Elsie J, and a golden retriever named Arcane. She graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College with her veterinary technician degree in May of 2017 and joined the Homestead team. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends.
Linda Selk
Linda loves working with animals. She joined Homestead in May 2003. She has had many cats, dogs and birds over the years. Linda loves to read and do jigsaw puzzles. She enjoys shopping at thrift shops, garages sales and flea markets to find new items for her collections.