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Meet Our
Veterinary Team

Meet the wonderful veterinarians and staff of Animal Medical Service. We take great pride in providing excellent care for your pets!

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Meet Our Veterinary Staff

Dr. Lutz K.G. Harfst, Veterinarian, Owner

Dr. Harfst has been providing excellent veterinary care to the communities of the Yakima Valley for more than 15 years. He has upheld a strong commitment to bringing quality care at affordable prices to our area. His commitment to quality and value is carried over from the foundation of our practice as the Yakima Spay and Neuter clinic. Dr. Harfst took a special interest in equine medicine and worked in some of the top jumper and dressage barns in Europe before making a move back to the Yakima Valley. When he is not at the clinic or on a farm, call you are most likely to find Dr. Harfst spending time with his wife and children at their farm, Marble Hills Stables.

Dr. Michael Hays, Veterinarian

Dr. Michael Hays earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 1975. With a special interest in dental disease in cats and dogs, Dr. Hays has dedicated much of his career to advancing the oral health of his animal patients, providing expert care in diagnosing and treating dental conditions. Outside of his professional life, Dr. Hays enjoys reading and watching murder mysteries. He and his wife share their home with three dogs, two of which are rescues.

Dr. Kendall Larson, Veterinarian

Dr. Kendall Larson earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The University of Arizona. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist through Chi University and has additional training in veterinary dentistry and surgical techniques, with a special interest in animal nutrition.

Dr. Larson’s passion for veterinary medicine is driven by her love of animals and interest in solving medical challenges. She believes every pet deserves thoughtful, individualized care and values honest, transparent communication with pet parents.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, fishing, swimming, reading, and traveling. Her furry family includes Katara the dog, Lyla the cat, and Saphira the horse, whom she enjoys gentling and training.

Jaquie, Practice Manager

Jaquie joined our team in 2016 and has spent most of her life in the Yakima Valley, giving her a deep appreciation for all the wonderful things the valley has to offer. This was the first veterinary clinic she ever worked at, and her passion for animals has continued to grow throughout the years.

Over the years, Jaquie has built wonderful relationships with our clients and their beloved pets. She truly enjoys getting to know each family and being a part of their pets’ lives.

Jaquie lives in the Tampico Valley, where she loves being surrounded by the mountains. Her family includes her three grown children, two grandchildren, two English Mastiffs, four horses, and two cats. When she’s not at the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. She also loves hunting, fishing, and camping whenever she gets the chance.

We are grateful to have Jaquie as part of our team and appreciate the compassion, dedication, and love for animals she brings to our clinic every day.

Cathy, Receptionist

Cathy and her husband Steve live on a small farm with chickens, ducks, turkeys and the occasional pig or two. She also raises dairy goats. Both Cathy and Steve are licensed falconers and enjoy hunting with hawks and falcons. She currently has a Great Horned Owl named Bert.

Cathy is also a violinist. She has performed with symphonies and orchestras in Washington, Oregon and Canada. She has been a member of the Yakima String Quartet as well. Cathy has worked for Dr Harfst 8.5 years.

Ashley, LVT

Ashley joined our team in 2017. She is originally from rainy Western Washington. She graduated as a Veterinary Technician from Pima Medical Institute in Renton. She spent two years at the Northwest Spay and Neuter Center in Tacoma before moving to the Yakima Valley. She has a hairless Chinese Crested named Murdock and a cranky old cat named Abby. She has kept lizards, fish, goats, and miniature horses in the past.

In her spare time, she is a very avid reader. She reads a bit of everything, but especially enjoys Christian historical fiction and sci-fi/fantasy. She also loves playing video games (Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild gets 11 out of 10 in her book) and watching old movies (especially musicals!). She is a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and has a collection of a dozen or so Captain America mugs. She also knits, crochets, and does cross-stitch.

Her favorite drink is hot tea (even in the heat of summer) and she has a large collection of loose-leaf teas that she enjoys. Ashley is a committed Christian woman, goes to Memorial Bible Church in Gleed, WA, and has been to Israel.

Meet Our
Veterinary Team