Momentum's Purpose
In 2010, Dr. Kara Amstutz reached a pivotal point in her career when it came to painful pets. She was heartbroken when pet owners had to make the excruciating decision to let their pets go due to uncontrolled pain or debilitating mobility issues.
Dr. Amstutz made it her mission to learn more and advance her skills to intervene on her patient's behalf and give their families more time together.
Since then, she has developed a team of highly trained professionals who are dedicated to keeping your pet moving, happy, and healthy.
The Momentum Team
Kara Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR, CVA, CVPP, CCRT
Owner/Founder of Momentum VSMR
Dr. Kara Amstutz graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Along with her husband, Dwight, she established Hometown Veterinary Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, in 2002. Dr. Kara holds a special place in her heart for pets who suffer from pain and mobility issues. In 2010, she began her studies in advanced pain management for her patients, eventually leading to her becoming a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) through the IVAPM in 2013. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI) in 2013. In 2014, River Canine Rehabilitation was started, functioning as a small practice within Hometown Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Kara became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through IVAS in 2019.
Dr. Kara achieved her lifelong dream of completing a 5-year non-traditional residency program through the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine in 2023. She is now a board-certified specialist, equipped with advanced knowledge and skills to help her patients even more effectively.
In 2020, Dwight and Dr. Kara decided to move out of general veterinary practice ownership and sold Hometown Veterinary Hospital. In February 2022, they took over Canine Rehabilitation Institute, a post-graduate certification program for veterinarians, physical therapists, and veterinary nurses in rehabilitation and acupuncture. Dr. Kara teaches many courses to new veterinary rehabilitation professionals worldwide right here in Springfield!
Her path has come full circle by opening Momentum Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. Along with the team from the former River Canine Rehabilitation, she will continue to put her passion for patient care, client education, and providing these much-needed services in the Springfield community.
Courtney Holscher, DVM, CVA, CCRT
Dr. Holscher grew up in Charleston, SC and completed her BS in Animal Sciences at Auburn University in 2014. She attended the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with her DVM as Valedictorian of her class in 2019. She then went on to learn veterinary acupuncture at the Chi Institute in 2019 and completed training in canine physical rehabilitation at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2022, where she met Dr. Kara. She spent the first 2 years of her career in an integrative small animal general practice in Chattanooga, TN and has now transitioned to doing canine rehabilitation and acupuncture full time here in Springfield. Outside of work you can find her on hiking trails or in the dog agility ring with her Lab Mix Ella, Border Collie Zinnia, and Miniature American Shepherd Dahlia.
Linda MacDougall, CCRA
Linda has been in veterinary medicine for 34 years. In 2016, she earned her certification in rehabilitation through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute and has been working exclusively in rehabilitation ever since. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, cats, horses, and chickens in her spare time. She competes in NADAC Agility and also in Fast Cat. She also enjoys being outside, from gardening to hiking to trail riding.
Scarlett Bruton, RVT, CCRVT
Scarlett graduated in 2014 from Pima Medical Institute with an Associate’s degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. She was introduced to the amazing world of pet rehabilitation in 2016 and has never looked back! She earned certification in canine rehabilitation through the Canine Rehabilitation Institution in 2019 and believes it is the best job ever . She is a wife and a mother to 4 who keeps life busy! Scarlett also has 2 pups, some cows, and lots of chickens
Courtnie Vigesaa, RVT
Courtnie is a Springfield MO native, who earned her Veterinary Technology degree from Jefferson College with a degree in Veterinary Technology in 2006. After working for 13 years in general veterinary medicine, she transitioned to Canine Rehabilitation in 2019. Her favorite part of the job is helping pets regain their mobility. Outside of her career with Momentum VSMR, she is a mother to four children and enjoys helping operate the family's beef cattle farm. She and her family enjoy camping, hunting, fishing, and spending most of their free time outdoors. She can't wait to get to know you and help facilitate the absolute best care for your pet!
Brandy Van Boening, Veterinary Assistant
Brandy Van Boening is a Rehabilitation Assistant at Momentum. She has been in veterinary medicine for the past nine years. Her passion is to help animals feel better and become stronger. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends in the great outdoors.
Korie Custer, Customer Service Represenative
Dwight Amstutz, Practice Manager
Owner/Founder Momentum VSMR
Dwight trained as a Registered Nurse and worked in Neuro and Burn Intensive Care Units and in Psychiatrics. In 2002, he and Kara founded Hometown Veterinary Hospital & River Canine Rehabilitation in Springfield, Missouri. Dwight's patient and detail-oriented leadership style helped the practice grow tremendously. Dwight served 21 years in the US Navy and was deployed to a variety of locations around the world. He earned many awards because of his dedication and leadership. The Amstutz' sold Hometown in 2020 and took over Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2022. They are both very excited to be back in veterinary practice ownership with the opening of Momentum VSMR to continue their passion of helping pets and their people.