Duane Vollendorf, DVM, Owner

Duane is an Eau Claire native. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison Veterinary school in 1995.  He enjoys home-school activities, spending time with his three daughters and one son, and horseback riding.

Nate Meyer, DVM, Owner

Nate is a 2001 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.  He started his veterinary career doing mixed animal practice treating dairy cows, horses, as well as companion animals.  Although he enjoyed the large animal work, he found working with dogs and cats easier on his body and better for family life.  He has been with Westgate since December of 2003.

Nate enjoys spending time with his wife, Sara, and their two girls, Annika and Britta.  On his days off, he can usually be found on a nearby lake fishing with his girls.  As a family, they enjoy camping, biking, and hiking.  He has two rambunctious dogs, Ranger and Belle, and a backyard with many holes, yellow spots, and the occasional patch of green grass.

Pam Hansen, DVM, Owner

Pam is a 1996 graduate of UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.  She has been with Westgate Animal Hospital since 1999.

Pam especially enjoys spending time at home with her husband, Gary, and their four boys.  She is involved with the youth ministry at her church and also enjoys gardening, interior decorating and reading books.  She shares her home with three labrador retrievers, a basset hound, a shih-tzu, two cats, a leopard gecko, and guinea pigs.

Paula Luer, CVT, Office Manager, Owner

Paula is the matriarch at Westgate Animal Hospital, beginning her career here in 1975.  She is a graduate of the Medical Institute of Minnesota (now Argosy University) with a degree as an Animal Health Technician.   She is one of Wisconsin's first Certified Technicians, having gotten certified with the first group ever certified in the state.  Paula wears many hats at Westgate.  She is a technician, receptionist, office manager, occasional kennel worker, and "Mom" to the other employees. 

 In her spare time Paula enjoys singing with the Valley Gospel Choir, the Very Special Arts Choir, and church choir, boating on the Mississippi, golfing, gardening, and basically enjoying the company of her friends.  Paula is at home with her husband, 4 cats, and one dog, perhaps another on the way! (Another puppy, not another husband).

Julia Foster-Gawley, DVM

Dr. Foster is happy to be working at Westgate where she enjoys getting to know the clients and their families, working up medical cases and performing surgeries. 

She lives with her husband Kevin, three spoiled gray tabby cats, a rambunctious black male chow chow named Apollo and a black Shepherd mix dog.  She and her husband enjoy hiking, camping, remodeling their house, and attending theatre shows at UWEC where Kevin is a professor

Margaret McDougal, DVM

Margaret is 2010 graduate of UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.  She is the newest member of our veterinary team and has been a great asset to Westgate Animal Hospital.