Deacon Richard Lagasse, DVM;

Practice Owner

When Dr. Lagasse was 10 or 11 years old growing up on a small farm northeast of Rolla, ND, his father had to call the local veterinarian to do a caesarian on a heifer. Dr. Helen Knutt came out to their farm and did the surgery in the barn. His mother, who knew that her son did not like the sight of blood (as it turns out, only human blood), did not want him to watch. But he was fascinated and watched the whole procedure. Ever since that night, he wanted to be a veterinarian.

Dr. Lagasse attended North Dakota State University for his undergraduate studies and eventually graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary medicine in 1992. After working as an associate veterinarian in Devils Lake, ND for three years, he bought Rugby Veterinary Service in 1995. Although a very rural clinic, the area has provided a balanced mix of small and large animal caseload. The variety of this type of mixed animal practice is both challenging and continuously rewarding.

When time allows, Dr. Lagasse's hobbies include camping, hiking, bike riding, and hunting. Faith is a very important aspect of his life. Dr. Lagasse, who is a member of Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby, is ordained as a permanent deacon serving the Diocese of Fargo. He also enjoys spending time with his wife Denise, son Michael, and their many pets, most of which have been adopted from the city pound.

Karen Gullickson, DVM;

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Gullickson grew up on a farm/ranch north of Amidon, North Dakota. After attending NDSU in Fargo for three years she was accepted to the veterinary college at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She graduated from ISU in May of 2000 and has been practicing veterinary medicine with Rugby Veterinary Service ever since.

In June of 1998 she married Jason Gullickson, who is currently serving as principal of Ely elementary here in Rugby. They have two daughters.

The Gullickson family shares their home with an array of animals including a horse (Cassie), two dogs (Boo and Kylo) and three cats (Fiona, Styx and Clark).

When Dr. Gullickson is not at work she enjoys spending time with her family at the lake and following her kids around watching them play sports such as basketball, volleyball and softball.

Deanna Grad-Vossler, DVM;

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Grad-Vossler started out on a farm northwest of Harvey, ND where she also attended high school. She attained a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND before going on to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University of Ames, IA in 1998.

Since graduation from ISU Dr. Grad-Vossler ahs had many varied experiences working in the veterinary field. Just after school she worked with Dr. Sabbe in Harvey until 2000 when she went to Valley City Veterinary Clinic for a year. In 2001 she joined the USDA/FSIS as a Veterinary Medical Officer. She was stationed at Worthington, MN in the Swift and Company pork plant until 2003. She came back to North Dakota in 2003 to work at the New Salem Veterinary Clinic for a couple of years. In October of 2005, Dr. Grad-Vossler joined the professional staff of Rugby Veterinary Service, PC.

Deanna married her husband Gary Vossler in May of 1998. Gary is interested in computers while Deanna enjoys photography, cooking and genealogy. They enjoy going to visit some National Parks when time allows.

Yvette Rozmarynowski,

Licensed Veterinary Technologist

Yvette joined the Rugby Veterinary team as a receptionist in October 2005.  In 2012 she finished her on-line classes through San Juan College in Farmington, NM to earn her Veterinary Technology degree.

Yvette grew up on a farm near Churches Ferry.  While growing up she always had her hand in helping out with the livestock.  She has been married to her husband Leon since 1987.  They have three children, Larry, Samantha, and one adopted daughter Adrea and two grandchildren Drake and Nova.  Yvette and Leon have two cats, Crush and Kazmir (which were acquired from the local pound).  She enjoys riding and spending time with her horses.  Yvette enjoys the variety of work that rugby Veterinary Service has to offer.  When she is not at work she enjoys scrap-booking, baking, camping, riding horse and working on the farm with her brother.  Spending time with her family is the most rewarding of all.

Morgan Aadland,

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Morgan joined the clinic in January of 2017. She grew up in Lisbon, ND. She has always wanted to work with animals, despite her parents not really being animal people. She attended Concordia College and graduated in May 2014 with a Bachelors in Biology and a Minor in History. She then attended Globe University in Moorhead for Veterinary Technology and graduated in June 2016.

Morgan has been married to her husband Anthony since 2014 and they have two daughters. The family currently ahs four dogs (Revy, Benny, Casca, and Skipper), two cats (Valmet and Winry), and a bearded dragon (Cooper). Morgan enjoys skiing, camping, reading, sewing, caring for her plants, and spending time with her family.

Daryl Selensky,

Veterinary Assistant

Daryl started working at Rugby Veterinary Service in 1999 as a veterinary assistant. He enjoys working with animals, which started with growing up on a farm and working with dairy and beef cattle. In 2001 Daryl married Susan and they have three daughters. The Selensky family lives on a farm a few miles out of rugby. They have three dogs, several barn cats, a small herd of cows and a small flock of sheep. When he gets a chance, Daryl enjoys hunting and fishing.

Emily Wagner

Veterinary Assistant

Emily started working at Rugby Veterinary Service in the fall of 2016. She ahs been around animals all her life. Emily currently has five Saint Bernard’s (Penny, Thomas, Annabelle, Maggie, and Zeus), a Border collie that she trained to work all livestock (Augustus), a Corgi (Louis) and a livestock guardian dog (Roo). Emily also has two house cats (Nugget and Nadia), a bearded dragon (Drogon), cows, a few sheep, chickens, and she raises Nigerian Dwarf goats. In her spare time, you can find her either working on one of the family cattle ranches or at home taking care of her animals. Emily enjoys the outdoors, being with the animals (working livestock, training dogs), photography and learning how to make different products from goat’s milk.

Michael Lagasse

Veterinary Assistant

Michael graduated from Rugby High School in 2018. After a few other work experiences in the community, he joined the “family business” as a veterinary assistant in 2021. Michael likes to cheer people up and enjoys making new friends. He is a good artist who enjoys drawing and is very patient with children, who glory in his attention. Michael is busy in his hours off duty taking care of his first new puppy, Ghost.

Sheila Vescovi

Receptionist

Sheila grew up in Jamestown, ND, moved to Casper, WY then on to Albuquerque, NM and finally settled in Aztec, NM. She raised two sons and ran an oil and gas sales and service business. In July of 2016 she traded in the rattlesnakes and sagebrush for the green fields and rolling hills of Rugby, ND.

Sheila’s son Alex lives in Lubbock, TX with his son Jack. She loves to travel. Her siblings all live in different states. She likes to go to the sales barns with her husband, read just about anything, refinish antique furniture and go to auctions.

Jena Garhofer

Receptionist

Jena grew up in Rugby and graduated from Rugby High School in 2015. She has always loved animals and has had at least one all her life. She currently has one big fluff ball named Gunner that she raised from a little fluff ball. She joined Rugby Veterinary Service November 4, 2022 and hopes to go to school to become a veterinary technician or a veterinarian. When she isn’t at work, she enjoys spending time with her kids, friends, and family. She also enjoys being outdoors, camping, arts and crafts and many more fun activities.

Denise Lagasse,

Business Manager

In 1995 Denise started working for her husband Rick at Rugby Veterinary Service. She worked her way from answering phone calls to keeping the clinic stocked with product to assisting with medical procedures as needed. In 2001, when Rick and Denise adopted Michael, Denise was given the opportunity to start working from a home office so she could pursue the job she has always wanted: mother. Once Michael started school full time, Denise began spending her days working in the Business Office at Rugby Veterinary Service, PC.

Being a member of Little Flower Catholic Church is central in Denise's life. In her moments of spare time Denise enjoys reading, camping, and hiking. She also enjoys attending concerts and plays. Denise loves traveling and learning new things with her family.

Mango

Pest Control Specialist

Mango ended his days of wandering the streets of Rugby in 2020 when he came to the pound. As we had recently lost our clinic cat Cleo, we needed a new pest control specialist. Mango was ready for the challenge!

While it's been a bit of a learning curve, Mango is settling into his new responsibilities. He still has moments when he wants to play a little too rough - clients beware! He also has not learned to tell when our patients would rather not be visited, so let our staff know if your furry friend doesn't like cats and we'll be sure Mango goes to one of his many "offices" in the back of the building!