Meet Our Veterinary Team

DVM

Dr. Dale Ritter has been practicing veterinary medicine for 42 years. A proud graduate of Iowa State University, he brings decades of experience and a deep-rooted passion for animal care to every patient he sees.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Ritter enjoys gardening, yardwork, and staying involved in harness horse racing. He also cherishes time spent visiting his first granddaughter in Iowa.

Before pursuing a career in small animal medicine, Dr. Ritter worked with horses and even competed as a harness horse driver in Moline, Chicago, and St. Louis—earning the impressive distinction of finishing #4 in the nation among young drivers. While small animal practice is now his focus, he still enjoys driving in races whenever he can sneak away.

DVM

Dr. Coleen Fruin is passionate about partnering with clients to provide the best possible care for their pets. She believes that veterinary medicine works best as a team effort and places a strong emphasis on client education, ensuring pet owners feel informed and confident in every aspect of their pet’s care. Coleen is also dedicated to creating a low-stress experience for both pets and their people by continually incorporating more fear-free modalities into her approach.

Dr. Fruin earned her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Michigan Technological University in 2014. She went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2025, completing her clinical year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Fruin enjoys hiking, wall climbing, reading, and traveling. She shares her home with two dogs, Sassafras, a Corgi-Beagle mix, and Rory, a Chow-Shepherd mix—as well as a cat named Del, whom she adopted while living in the Caribbean.

Veterinary Assistant/ Customer Service Representative

Customer Service Representative