Why Choose Best Friends Animal Hospital
Families in Bloomington and the surrounding communities choose Best Friends Animal Hospital for experienced medical care delivered with small-town warmth. As a family-owned practice with deep roots in the area, we focus on long-term relationships, clear communication, and practical guidance that respects both your pet and your budget.
Family-Owned Legacy
Best Friends Animal Hospital was established in 1994 as a continuation of a long-standing Richfield practice. Under the leadership of Dr. Nick Gatto, we carry forward decades of veterinary experience and community connection in a modern Bloomington setting.
Long-Term Relationships
Many of our clients have trusted us with multiple generations of pets. We value these lasting relationships and strive to be a steady partner for your family, from first vaccines to senior care and every milestone in between.
Dedicated Veterinary Team
Our veterinarians and certified technicians are knowledgeable, experienced, and deeply committed to kind, attentive care. The team provides nursing care, client education, dental treatments, radiology, laboratory work, and anesthetic monitoring, all focused on keeping your pet safe and comfortable.
Meet Our Staff
Dr. Krista Steffenhagen
Owner & Medical Director
Dr. Krista Steffenhagen graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 and brings with her over a decade of business ownership experience. She is the owner and medical director of Scandia Veterinary Clinic and also serves as a partner at North Branch Veterinary Clinic. She is now the new owner of our clinic, Best Friends Animal Hospital.
She is dedicated to providing thoughtful, well-rounded veterinary services that support both preventive health and advanced medical needs, with particular interests in dentistry, surgery, internal medicine, and weight management.
Dr. Krista and her family live in May Township, where they own and operate a horse boarding business. Outside of work, she stays busy cheering on her kids at sporting events, caring for their property and garden, baking sourdough, and tending to a lively mix of animals that includes two horses, four cats, and a flock of chickens.
As we begin this new chapter, we are so grateful to have Dr. Krista Steffenhagen stepping into ownership and continuing the legacy of compassionate, high-quality care that Best Friends is known for.
In Loving Memory of Dr. Nicholas "Nick" Gatto
Dr. Nick Gatto
Dr. Nick Gatto was the heart of Best Friends Animal Hospital for more than 32 years. As owner, veterinarian, mentor, and friend, he dedicated his life to providing compassionate care for pets and unwavering support to the families who loved them.
His kindness, wisdom, and commitment to veterinary medicine touched countless lives and helped shape the welcoming community that Best Friends Animal Hospital remains today. His legacy lives on through every pet he cared for, every client he supported, and every team member he inspired.
Dr. Gatto will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always a part of the Best Friends family.
We are a cat friendly practice!
