John Dirksen, DVM

"There are numerous reasons why I enjoy working at Kelley Animal Hospital. The hospital staff and people in the community are second to none. I love and feel very blessed to be able to work and provide service to the community where I live with my family and our pets." –Dr. John Dirksen

I grew up on a farm with about every farm animal imaginable, including many cats and dogs, but I didn’t realize I wanted to be a veterinarian until about my mid-20s. I’ve always had a strong love for the human-animal bond, and ultimately, that led me to a career in veterinary medicine. I feel rewarded each and every day connecting with people through their pets and helping take care of them.

When I was 6 years old, my first pet was a calf named “Big Slimer.” She always liked to lick (slime) my hand or shirt when I went into her pen. I bottle-fed her as a baby and took care of her until she was big. She was always tame, and when she got bigger, she’d let me ride her around.

I live in Shoreview with my family and two Labrador Retrievers. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, training my dogs, and doing anything outdoors, including fishing, pheasant hunting, hosta gardening, and visiting the family farm.