Meet The Team
Our Doctors
Dr. Dave Baltzell
Grew up in Ogallala, Nebraska, graduated from High School in 1977, and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning a BS in Animal Science and participated in the Collegiate 4-H club. Graduated from Iowa State University in 1985 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
He returned to Ogallala to join his father’s veterinary practice in 1985. Practicing companion animal medicine and surgery, livestock practice, camelid medicine, and regulatory medicine regarding inspection duties at the Ogallala Livestock Auction Market.
Community involvement also includes serving on the board of directors of the Arterburn Youth Center, the Keith County Agricultural Society, involvement in scouting, and the Keith County CERT team. Current interests include camping, hiking, llama packing, horse driving, kayaking, hay farming, and my small cow herd.
Dr. Rick Keeten
Graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1991 and has been practicing at Baltzell Veterinary Hospital since 2016.
Our Technicians
Lynette Headley
Graduated from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in 1987 with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology.
An employee at Baltzell Veterinary Hospital since 1994.
Melissa Gartrell
Graduated in 1998 with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Employed at Baltzell Veterinary Hospital since graduation.
Kristine Elliott
Graduated in 2021 from Colby Community College with an Associates Degree as an Animal Health Technician and started working at Baltzell Veterinary Hospital in 2021.
Our Groomer
Lena Reynolds
Started working at Baltzell Veterinary Hospital in October of 2023. She grooms dogs with her shop that is co-located here at the hospital. She has been an avid animal lover her entire life, having started grooming as a hobby. Worked for 8 years at a boarding/grooming facility in Southwest Nebraska, primarily as the bather, animal caretaker, and grooming assistant. For 16 years, she did grooming out of her home as a dog loving hobbyist. As well as grooming, she helps take care of pets while they are boarding or hospitalized as well as answering the phone and helps keep the clinic clean.