Our Mission
At Headwaters Veterinary Center, it’s our everyday mission to provide caring, professional care and support to both our animal patients and their human families. We understand that your pet is a treasured member of your family, and we strive to make their visit with us as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Our aim is to meet all of our patient’s unique needs and treat each one like our own family.
The experienced veterinarians and staff at Headwaters are committed to offering the highest level of medical expertise and personalized attention for you pet. This is to ensure the health and happiness of your pet, always. Navigating pet healthcare can be overwhelming. That’s why we are dedicated to providing clear communication and education to help you make informed decisions about your pet’s care. We are honored to be trusted with the well-being of your furry family member. Our promise is to treat them with the same care and compassion we would want for our own pets.
Meet The Team
Tom Rietveld, DVM & Owner
Dr. Tom Rietveld, originally from southern Minnesota, grew up coming to the family's property by Itasca State Park. He graduated from Bemidji State in 1993 and earned his DVM degree from the University of Minnesota in 1997. He worked as a dairy practitioner in Wisconsin before relocating back to the Bemidji area in 2001, where he began working exclusively with pets.
In 2007, Dr. Tom and his wife Melanie started Headwaters as a small animal clinic in what once was their home. He enjoys nurturing relationships with clients and their animals. The Rietvelds have 3 adult children living in 3 different states. Although empty nesters now, Tom & Melanie share their home with two comedic cats. Dr. Tom likes to spend his personal time with his wife, tinkering in his garage, and looks forward to traveling to visit their adult children. The Rietvelds are proud to be a military family, with their son serving in the US Air Force.
Becky, Reception
My name is Becky & I have worked with Dr. Tom and the Headwaters team as a front desk receptionist for 15 years. I thoroughly enjoy working with our client community & your fur babies
My husband Michael & I moved to Bemidji in 2001; we are happy to still call it our home. We have 2 adult children, Jackson & Riley who also reside in Bemidji along with our 2 small cats named Pancake & Fargus.
We enjoy spending time together as a family at our cabin on upper Red Lake, a special family retreat which has been in the Finnegan family since 1959.
We love spending time ATV trail riding, fishing, and spending general time outdoors. I enjoy cooking and reading as well.
Chelsea, Veterinary Technician
My name is Chelsea and I grew up near Bemidji in Puposky, MN. My husband and I have one son (12 years old) and we enjoy our time together doing any MN outdoor activities, most especially hiking, biking, skiing, paddling, and fishing.
We have two cats (Yoda & Alexander), a spry little mutt named Max, a spunky little Brittany named Umi, along with our backyard chickens and on occasion, honeybees.
We love Bemidji and its wonderful community!
Tanya Hommerding, Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Hello! I'm so happy to be back with the team at Headwaters. I am still living in the woods of Becida with my menagerie of pets. My current crew is a Springer, Maggie, 2 cats (Bit & Ginny) and 2 naughty goats (Leo & Marty). I am blessed to love where I live and soak up every minute outside that I can. I enjoy walking, gardening, camping and hunting in the North woods.
Jessica Grundy
Hi, my name is Jessica. I joined the Headwaters Vet team as a receptionist in June of 2021. It has been a blessing ever since. My husband Matt and I have 2 busy boys, Cooper and Carter. They definitely keep us on our toes and always entertained. I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, canning vegetables, smoking meat, and coffee! I have a young pup, Elmer, 4 cats (Cece, Latte, Jovie, & Sam) and a ball python, Bella. I love being able to assist in helping all of you and your pets everyday!
Brandi Johnson, DVM
I obtained my BS in wildlife ecology from UW Madison in ‘03, then graduated from the U of MN in ‘07 with my doctorate of veterinary medicine. I spent the first 9 years of my career practicing both large and small animal medicine - traveling to farms in MN & WI caring for cattle, horses, & small ruminants. I shifted gears to focus on solely small animal medicine when I moved up to Bemidji 8 years ago.
I grew up in the Twin Cities, but my husband is a Bemidji native & teaches welding at the high school. We spend our time entertained by our kindergarten daughter, 2 year old spunky cat “Percy”, and 1 year old lovable golden retriever pup “Inga”. Otherwise I can be found enjoying the northwoods - camping, cross country skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, hiking, reading in my hammock, & traveling.
I have been practicing veterinary medicine in Bemidji since 2016 & started my own relief/locum vet med business in 2021 - providing help to practices in need. Happy to connect with Headwaters clients & patients on the days that my schedule brings me to their practice!
“We just love people. I think they feel that when they come into the clinic.”
Client Testimonials
