Dr. Poehlmann always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian, even as a young child in Fox Point. "That desire became stronger when my childhood dog was ill with a serious immune disease and the veterinary specialists who helped him amazed me. I knew that was what I needed to do," she said.
As soon as she was old enough, Dr. Poehlmann volunteered at her veterinarian's office and she worked at a veterinary hospital throughout high school and college. "I did everything from clean cages, act as receptionist and eventually became a clinic manager," she said.
Dr. Poehlmann received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in 1989 and graduated summa cum laude. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. She was president of the Companion Animal Club and was a student representative for the American Animal Hospital Association.
"I love animals but I truly enjoy spending my days with people who love animals. We always have a lot on common and I've made some amazing friends," she said. A member of the Milwaukee Veterinary Medical Association, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association, Dr. Poehlmann has special professional interests in pet behavior issues and avian care.
Dr. Poehlmann is married with two children and they share their home with two domestic short hair cats, Lyle and Runner Bean, and a pug named Tug. She enjoys swimming, bike riding, cooking, spending time with family and friends and running (she qualified for the 2012 Boston Marathon).