Specialty Surgery

Dr. Scott Hammel–City of Lakes Veterinary Surgery

Dr. Scott Hammel graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001, and pursued extensive surgical training for the next five years. After completing one-year internships at two prestigious referral centers, the Animal Medical Center in New York City in 2002, and Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston in 2003, he returned to the Midwest to complete his three-year surgery residency at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center in 2006. Dr. Hammel is the author of several veterinary journal articles spanning a wide range of topics. These include surgery of the urogenital system, laryngeal paralysis, and the strength of bone plates used to repair fractures. Dr. Hammel’s passions include soft tissue surgery, pain management, joint stabilization, and fracture repair. After more than eleven years as part of the team at Veterinary Surgical Specialists, Dr. Hammel founded City of Lakes Veterinary Surgery in 2017. Dr. Hammel enjoys a very active lifestyle with his wife, Heidi, also a veterinarian. He has competed in several endurance events, including Ironman triathlon. The Hammels enjoy travel and a variety of outdoor activities. They have a Labrador retriever mix named Porter and a Jack Russell terrier named Frank. Both are dogs who had been surrendered for orthopedic and neurological conditions. Dr. Hammel has been a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons since 2007.

Dr. Lara Rasmussen–Direct Veterinary Surgery

Dr. Lara Rasmussen is a board-certified surgeon who enjoys both orthopedic and general surgery and founded Direct Veterinary Surgery in 2017. Dr. Rasmussen worked with Veterinary Surgical Specialists from 2005-2016. A graduate of the University of California-Davis, Dr. Rasmussen received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences and Policy Studies in 1988 and continued at the UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine, completing her veterinary medical degree in 1993. She completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at South Shore Veterinary Associates in Massachusetts in 1994 and went on to complete a three-year small animal surgical residency and Masters Degree at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Rasmussen taught as a clinical instructor at Washington State University and as an associate professor and, later, an adjunct clinical professor at Western University of Health Sciences from 1999 to 2006. Dr. Rasmussen completed her surgery credentials and was awarded Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1999. Her professional interests include laryngeal paralysis, pain management, gastrointestinal surgery, trauma surgery, critical care and multimodal anesthesia. Dr. Rasmussen provides surgical services to animals without permanent homes through the Animal Humane Society and various pet rescue organizations.