Our Staff

Veterinarians

FRANK M. CERFOGLI, DVM received his DVM from Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2001 and BA in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from University of Northern Iowa in May 1997.

Dr. Caren Chellgren grew up in Kansas, where she attended Kansas State University for undergrad and veterinary school, graduating in 2015. She has always been an avid horse-back rider and rescuer of all animals. Although horses were her passion throughout school, she wanted to help the community by providing services for rescued animals and underserved communities. Since 2018, she has been working closely with many rescue organizations and participates in mass spay/neuter events in Houston throughout the year. In her free time, she enjoys riding her horses, camping, and spending time with all of her animals at home. 

Animal Friends’ Staff

DERRICK FAIN – 6’ 1” Nerdy Barbarian who enjoys all things nerdy and geeky.  Vet tech for 8+ years.  Animal Owner.  Has 1 clone trooper (my kid).  Enjoys the great outdoors.  Bookworm with an ever-expanding library.

ELIA GARCIA graduated from The Vet Tech Institute and has passed her state exam and will be taking her national exam in the fall to receive her RVT.  Elia has worked for VCA Hospital in Cypress for several years.  She also interned with Gulf Coast Emergency and volunteered at Houston SPCA.  Elia is also bi-lingual.

JIMI KIDD graduated from Mayde Creek Highschool, Katy, TX in 1999.  Member of FFA for 4 years, showing cattle and lambs during that time.  she has worked in Veterinary field since 1998.  She has a husband and 3 kids along with 4 dogs, 2 cats, 4 horses and 9 head of cattle.

RACHAEL KNISTEIN-GOEKE graduated from Brenham High School in 2000. She was a member of FFA, 4-H Horse Club and a Washington County Calf Scrambler winner. She attended the Texas Academy of Animal Control Officers in 2008 and graduated Valedictorian. She joined Animal Friends as a Veterinary Technician in January 2009. Rachael has been a member of the Bellville Heritage Cowgirls for many years. She has several horses, dogs, cats and cattle. Her late Dad was a great inspiration for Rachael’s love of animals.

ROSIE LANGFORD is our dedicated Dog Park Monitor.  She was born in Ash Czechoslovakia, came to the USA when she was 7 years old, along with her parents and older brother, landing in NYC.  She is half German and half Czech.  Her own family continues to grow, starting with 2 sons, and now includes 2 grandsons and a granddaughter, with another grandson due in Oct. 2021. She worked all her life in large corporations (mostly Oil Companies) in Houston until moving to Brenham. “I love animals and people, in that order! And am proud to be in America! I love my job here with Animal Friends.”

SONJA TURNER began her career as a Veterinary Technician in 1988. She moved to a ranch in Caldwell in 1994 to further her career at Texas A&M as an Exotic Animal Technician.  She subsequently worked in several Veterinary Emergency Clinics in the Houston and surrounding areas during her 24 years as a technician. She managed a small animal clinic in Cypress Texas for 4 years. Sonja became the Office Manager at Animal Friends Clinic in 2015.  She and her husband have horses, goats, a donkey and chickens and of course dogs and cats. They have 1 daughter, 2 sons and 6 grandchildren.