VETERINARIANS
Dr. Troy Dutton
Job Title: Veterinarian Owner
Education:
- BS in Animal Science from Montana State 1995
- DVM from Oregon State in 2000
Professional Associations: NDVMA, AVMA, AABP
Special Interests: Bovine reproduction, Herd Health
Dr. Dutton has been practicing at Steele Veterinary Clinic since his graduation from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000.
Dr. Dutton just finished serving a 7 year term on the board of the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association. He looks forward to working in organized veterinary medicine in the future to promote veterinary medicine statewide.
Dr. Dutton and his wife Carol have two daughters, Morgan and Allison. His family has a dog Mocha, a cat Pipi, four horses Ole, Snitch, Mocha, and Star, and numerous goats. Dr. Dutton enjoys spending his free time with family and friends, fishing, boating, and trail riding.
Dr. Joseph Hochhalter
Job Title: Veterinarian Owner
Education:
- BS Animal and Range Science from NDSU 2003
- DVM from University of Minnesota 2008
Professional Associations: NDVMA, AVMA, AABP
Special Interests: Bovine reproduction, Ultrasound, Herd Health
Dr. Hochhalter grew up on a ranch in south central North Dakota, where from an early age he developed an interest in animal agriculture.
He attended NDSU where he graduated with a degree in Animal and Range Science in 2003 and went on to attain his DVM at the University of Minnesota in 2008. Since graduation, he has been part of the team at Steele Veterinary Clinic.
Dr. Hochhalter and his wife Melissa have two children, Maggie and Harrison. Their family has two dogs Mildred and Bernice, and a cat Mabel. Dr. Hochhalter also enjoys helping on the ranch in Ashley, spending time outdoors, fishing, and time with family.
Dr. Nickolas Hart
Job Title: Associate Veterinarian
Education:
- Undergraduate at NDSU
- DVM from Kansas State
Professional Associations: NDVMA, AVMA
Special Interests:
Dr. Hart grew up in the practice area, originally coming from Chaseley, ND. He spent summers working at Steele Veterinary Clinic while attending college and joined the team as a veterinarian in June 2014.
Dr. Arlyn Scherbenske
Job Title: Associate Veterinarian
Education:
- Undergraduate UND and NDSU Pre Vet
- DVM from Iowa State University 1980
Professional Associations: NDVMA, AVMA
Special Interests:
Dr. Scherbenske graduated from Iowa State University in 1980 and has been with Steele Veterinary Clinic since that time. Since retiring in 2016, he works part time during the busy fall and spring seasons.
He served for 16 years as the North Dakota delegate to the AVMA and is a past president of the NDVMA. In 2005 he was awarded NDVMA Veterinarian of the Year.
Dr. Marissa Soderberg
Job Title: Associate Veterinarian
Education:
- BS Finance and Biology Dakota Wesleyan University
- DVM Washington State University
Professional Associations: AVMA, NDVMA, MVMA
Special Interests: Beef production, Sheep
Dr. Soderberg hails from Melstone, Montana and has a ranch background growing up on a cattle and sheep ranch. She developed an interest in beef genetics and production early in life.
Dr. Breanna Nelson
Job Title: Associate Veterinarian
Education: SDSU and University of Minnesota DVM
Professional Associations: NDVMA, AVMA
Special Interests: Beef Production Medicine
Originally from Barnesville, Minnesota, Dr Nelson joined Steele Veterinary Clinic in June 2025 after graduating from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from SDSU in 2021 and completed the 2+2 veterinary program between SDSU and the University of Minnesota.
In her free time she enjoys running with her dogs Toad and Bandit, baking, crocheting, reading, and crafting.
OUR STAFF
Mike Ludewig
Job Title: Veterinary Assistant
Education: AAS Livestock Production and Management
Special Interests: Large Animal Medicine
Mike grew up on a hobby farm in southern Minnesota. In high school he worked on dairy farms and swine operations.
He earned his degree from Lake Area Technical Institute in 2023 and has been part of Steele Veterinary Clinic since graduation. He helps with large animal work, Napoleon Livestock every Thursday, and clinic maintenance.
Amelia Miller
Job Title: Licensed Veterinary Technician
Education: PIMA Institute
Professional Associations: NDVTA
Amelia grew up on a cattle ranch in northern Montana. She graduated from PIMA Medical Institute in 2023.
She has experience in emergency care, equine ICU, and cattle practice. In her free time she enjoys swing dancing, swimming, reading, and caring for her plants.
Shayla Schmaltz
Job Title: Veterinary Technician
Education: Associate of Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology from Eastern Wyoming College
Professional Associations:
Special Interests:
Shayla was born and raised in ND. She graduated from Century HS in 2015, and then attended Bismarck State College. In 2019 she decided to pursue a career in Veterinary Technology and received her degree from Eastern Wyoming College in 2021. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, her dog “Doc Holliday”, and riding motorcycle with her family.
Kiley Griesse
Job Title: Veterinary Assistant
Education: Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
Kiley grew up helping on her family farm in southwest Minnesota. She graduated from Ridgewater College in 2025 and completed her internship at Steele Veterinary Clinic.
When she is not working she enjoys hunting, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
Hailey Leingang
Job Title: Veterinary Assistant
Education: Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology
Hailey was born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota. She earned her degree from NDSU in 2025 and completed her internship at Steele Veterinary Clinic.
She enjoys riding her horse, helping on the farm, and spending time with friends and her dog.
Hanna Ray Larson
Job Title: Veterinary Assistant
Education: Associate Degree in Livestock Management, BS Animal Science
Special Interests: Silversmithing, antiquing
Hanna grew up in Bismarck and developed an interest in cattle production while working cattle with family.
She earned her Animal Science degree from NDSU and enjoys silversmithing and boating in her free time.
Brenna Boucher
Job Title: Licensed Veterinary Technician
Education: Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology
Professional Associations: NDVTA
Special Interests: Large Animal Medicine
Brenna grew up on a family farm near Rolette, North Dakota. She earned her degree from NDSU in 2024 and became an LVT in April 2025.
She enjoys gardening, helping on the family farm, and spending time with loved ones.
