Meet Our Team

Kate Cummings, DVM, DACVAA joined OVRS in October 2023. She received her DVM from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 and went on to complete an anesthesia and analgesia residency at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015.

Following her residency, she worked at MedVet in Worthington, OH before returning to the east coast to work at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, MA. As a northwest Ohio native, the position at OVRS has allowed Dr. Cummings and her family the opportunity to move back closer to home.

As an anesthesiologist, Dr. Cummings collaborates with the surgeons and other specialty departments to ensure safe and effective protocols are administered to your pet. She has specific interests in the anesthetic management of critically ill patients as well as acute pain management strategies. Her role is always to advocate for the patient, aiming to minimize stress and keep the patient as comfortable as possible during its hospital stay.
 
Dr. Cummings has published articles in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and Clinician’s Brief as well as a chapter in the “Textbook of Small Animal Emergency Medicine.”
 
Memberships:
American Veterinary Medical Association
American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society
Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association

Theresa DePorter is board certified diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Behavior (ACVB) and the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM). She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University and her Bachelor Science in Biology in 1992. She has been seeing behavior consultations at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan since 2004.

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Adrienne E. Pesavento is a resident in the American College of Veterinary Behavior. She got her DVM degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree in classical archaeology from the University of Evansville in 2003 and she earned her master’s degree in physical anthropology from Louisiana State University in 2005. She was in general practice veterinary medicine until she started her residency in 2021.

Dr. Cook is a native of Syracuse NY and received her bachelors in biology from Yale University in 1995 and DVM degree from Cornell University in 2000. She was an instructor at Cornell and general practitioner at various small animal/exotics clinics before returning to a clinical pathology residency at Texas A&M University, which was completed with passage of board certification in 2013. Dr. Cook has worked the entirety of her clinical pathology career in the diagnostic marketplace and joined Idexx, Inc. in 2018, reading cases from the Bloomfield lab situated at Oakland Veterinary Referral Service. She is the co-author of the CSF/CNS chapter of Cowell and Valenciano's Diagnostic Cytology and Hematology of the Dog and Cat, and is also the current chairperson of the Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards Committee (QALS) of the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP). She also serves on the Board of Education for the Bloomfield Hills School District. When not at work, Dr. Cook enjoys tending to the driving and emotional needs of two teenagers, as well as hanging out with her husband, Black and Tan Coonhound, French Bulldog, and bearded dragon.

Timothy J. Becker, DVM, diplomate ACVIM is a graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. After finishing his veterinary degree, he completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Becker then worked in general practice in Maine for 2 years before starting an internal medicine residency.

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Dr. Riepe, DVM is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, in the subspecialty of cardiology. Dr. Riepe attended the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine where she focused on cardiovascular disease. In her senior year, Dr. Riepe was recognized with the Outstanding Student in Small Animal Medicine award.

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Dr. Erin Bannink is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine specialty of oncology. Dr. Bannink has a special interest in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and values a holistic approach to treatment, offering both Integrative and regular oncology consultations. She received her certification in veterinary acupuncture (CVA) through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) and holds a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Chinese Herbal Medicine (GDipl VCHM).

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Ann Washabaugh Mattise, DVM is a referral dermatology and allergy practitioner. Dr. Mattise graduated from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) with a degree in biology. From there she attended veterinary school at Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. After 3 years of general practice in Charlotte, Michigan, Dr. Mattise returned to MSU to complete her residency in veterinary dermatology. She has been practicing exclusively dermatology and allergy in the Metropolitan Detroit area for over 18 years.

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Annette Petersen is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Dr. Petersen is a 1991 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany. Dr. Petersen received her Dissertation in 1992 from the CVM in Hanover, Germany, which is equivalent to a master degree in the United States. After a 1-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Washington State University, she came to Michigan to complete a residency in veterinary dermatology at Michigan State University.

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Rachel Smith, DVM grew up in Novi, MI earning her Bachelors of Science at the University of Michigan in 2006. She then switched allegiances and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2013. Following graduation, she completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at North Carolina State University. In July 2017, she completed a residency in Diagnostic Imaging at Michigan State University and obtained board certification in the same year.

Dr. Smith has an interest in abdominal ultrasound and has authored studies utilizing the modality in patients with gallbladder disease and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. She currently also has an active interest in vascular and cross-sectional imaging. She is excited to enhance the quality of medicine at OVRS by offering digital fluoroscopy services and interpretation of CT and radiographic studies. Dr. Smith is an active advocate for continuing education for veterinary students and veterinary professionals and has lectured and instructed several hands-on laboratories. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys cooking, cycling, and hiking with her husband, daughter, and yellow lab.

MEMBERSHIPS:

American College of Veterinary Radiology
Radiological Society of North America
American Veterinary Medical Association
Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association

Heather Bauer, DVM joined the OVRS emergency and critical care team in May 2015. She earned a Bachelors of Science degree in biology from Centre College in Danville, KY. She graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2007.

Dr. Beach is a Michigan native. She attended Michigan State University where she received her Bachelor of Science, then her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (1997). Upon graduation, Dr. Beach started general practice in equine and small animal medicine and surgery, including emergency care and even worked with other large animals and exotic species. General practice eventually led Dr. Beach to emergency medicine and critical care full-time in 2004. She joined OVRS in 2013, initially as a relief doctor and full time in 2015. Dr. Beach is Fear Free™ Certified, which is a nationally recognized initiative with the mission to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets both in the hospital and at home.

Clinicial Interests Include: Pain management, wound care, trauma, endoscopy, emergency surgery, and behavior of patients, as well as creating a Fear Free™ experience in hospital.

Internal Committees:
OVRS Fear Free™ Committee
OVRS Infection Control Committee

Memberships:
Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society
American Veterinary Medical Association
Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association - Past President (2016), Council Member

Dr. Beer is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care (DACVECC). She obtained her veterinary degree from Michigan State University in 2009, and completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery and a three-year residency in small animal emergency and critical care medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Following her residency, Dr. Beer worked in academia for several years as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania and as an assistant professor at Michigan State University. She was thrilled to join OVRS in December 2017.

Dr. Beer has been published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, and is actively involved in VetGirl as well as research and textbook contributions. She loves to teach and lectures at the national level in emergency and critical care. Her interests include trauma, resuscitation and sepsis.

Christopher Coppins, BVMS, MRCVS graduated from Michigan State University with his bachelor's in Physiology. Dr. Coppins earned his veterinary medicine degree with commendation from the University of Glasgow, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Following graduation, he completed a one year rotating internship at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services. Afterwards, he gladly accepted a position in the Emergency & Critical Care department.

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Karen Fidell, DVM, MS is a 1990 graduate of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she participated in a one year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She returned home to Michigan to settle into private practice first in Wyandotte and then in Lincoln Park.

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Judi Fleischaker, DVM, MS received her DVM degree from Colorado State University in 1985. Prior to her acceptance at CSU, Dr. Fleischaker worked as a veterinary technician in an emergency center for 8 years. She has co-authored journal articles on the topic of renal disease in Doberman Pinschers. She is a provider of emergency veterinary education to search and rescue groups, firemen, and policemen around the country.

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Noni Greene, DVM joined the emergency and critical care staff of OVRS in September of 2004. She graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she received a Bachelors of Science degree with the dual concentration in Biology and African American and African Studies. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree at Tuskegee University where she graduated first in her class and earned numerous awards and scholarships.

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Caleigh Griffin, DVM graduated from Michigan State University with majors in Animal Science, Microbiology, and Genetics and Molecular Genomics. Dr. Griffin earned her veterinary degree at Michigan State University. Following graduation, she completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at VCA South Shore outside of Boston.

Melissa Holahan, DVM joined the emergency and critical care staff of OVRS in November of 2012. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. In July 2010, she completed a residency in emergency and critical care medicine at the Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Following that she worked at a teaching hospital in Connecticut for two years before returning home to Michigan.

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Sam Latra, DVM joined the emergency and critical care staff at OVRS in July of 2004. He graduated from Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2003. After graduating from veterinary college, he completed a one-year rotating small animal internship at Garden State Veterinary Specialists.

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Lauren Lew, VMD graduated from Johns Hopkins University with majors in Biology and Applied Mathematics. Dr. Lew earned her veterinary medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Following graduation, she completed a one-year small animal rotating medicine and surgery internship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC.

Sara Snow, DVM joined the Emergency and Critical Care Service in July 2006. She graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 and went on to complete a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Charlotte, NC. In July 2005 she returned to Michigan State University for a specialty internship in emergency and critical care and went on to pursue residency training.

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Timothy J. Becker, DVM, diplomate ACVIM is a graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. After finishing his veterinary degree, he completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Becker then worked in general practice in Maine for 2 years before starting an internal medicine residency.

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Dr. Clark earned her Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Michigan in 2015. She then earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State University in 2019, where she graduated first in her class and received several academic and clinical awards. Following graduation from MSU, Dr. Clark completed an internship at the University of Wisconsin in 2020 and continued her training at UW for a three-year residency in small animal internal medicine from 2020-2023. Shortly following completion of her residency, Dr. Clark achieved Diplomat status within the American College of Veterinary of Internal Medicine and returned home to Michigan to begin working at OVRS.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Clark enjoys long-distance running (she completed her first marathon during her residency!), traveling with her husband, and spending time with her friends, family, and pets.

Memberships:

• American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
• Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association

Kaitlin Lonc, DVM is originally from Macomb Township, Michigan. A loyal Spartan, she graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Zoology, then went on to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from MSU in 2014. After graduation, she went on to a one-year rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Illinois, where she discovered her interest in internal medicine. She then returned to Michigan State for a three-year residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine, which she completed in 2018.

While in her residency, Dr. Lonc had a special interest in feline urinary diseases and did a research project on feline urinary incontinence. She also has clinical interests in renal and respiratory diseases as well as minimally invasive diagnostics such as endoscopy. She is passionate about ensuring the quality of life of her long-term patients. Dr. Lonc has been very involved in teaching veterinary students at MSU, and is an advocate for continuing education of veterinary professionals. She has spoken at the Michigan Veterinary Conference in 2017 and 2018 and received the ACVIM Resident Research award in 2018.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Lonc enjoys cooking, gardening, camping, and spending time with her husband and her rescue mix Rory.

Memberships:
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine- board certification candidate
American Society of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology
American Veterinary Medical Association
Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
Southeast Michigan Veterinary Medical Association

Alysha Vincent, DVM is a life-long Michigander, originally hailing from Troy, Michigan. She lovingly refers to East Lansing, Michigan as a second home given the 11 years of her life she spent there pursuing her education. Dr. Vincent graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree with honors in Animal Science and then went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State in 2016. Following graduation, Dr. Vincent completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C. During her internship, Dr. Vincent’s interest in internal medicine as a specialty was sparked by her mentors, including a special interest in nephrology and urology. Upon completion of her internship, Dr. Vincent returned to Michigan State to complete a three-year residency in small animal internal medicine. Dr. Vincent practiced internal medicine in a busy, private specialty practice in the Chicago suburbs for a year following her residency, before deciding to return to her Michigan roots.

During her training, Dr. Vincent developed a strong interest in nephrology and urology as well as respiratory medicine (being largely influenced by her mentors Dr. JD Foster and Dr. Steve Carey, respectively). She continues to cultivate these interests by participating in continuing education and specialty societies related to these disciplines. Dr. Vincent also enjoys interventional procedures and hopes to continue to expand her knowledge and skill sets to be able to offer such cutting-edge procedures to patients that may benefit from them. Above all though, Dr. Vincent’s driving philosophy for patient care is to put the patient’s quality of life and the owner’s quality of life at the center of any treatment plan she makes. 

Dr. Vincent enjoys staying active in the veterinary community and hopes to continue to contribute to both veterinary research and veterinary education throughout her career. She has published two first-author publications and she was awarded the Society for Comparative Endocrinology’s Young Investigators Award at the 2019 ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine) Forum.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Vincent enjoys drawing, painting, horseback riding, and travel (Ireland is her favorite destination so far). She is also an avid live music fan (especially U2) and sings only moderately bad karaoke. Dr. Vincent shares her home with a new Australian Shepherd puppy, Pearl, whom she looks forward to training and participating in a lot of dog sports with!

Memberships:


American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine- board certification candidate
Michigan Veterinary Medical Association 
American Veterinary Medical Association
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Veterinary Interventional Radiology and Interventional Endoscopy Society

American Society of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology
Society for Comparative Endocrinology

Publications:

AM Vincent, LM Sordillo, RC Smedley, JC Gandy, JL Brown, DK Langlois. (2021). Peripheral markers of oxidative stress in Labrador retrievers with copper-associated hepatitis. Journal of Small Animal Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13361

AM Vincent, LK Okonkowski, JM Brudvig, KR Refsal, N Berghoff, NB Olivier, DK Langlois. (2021). Low-dose desoxycorticosterone pivalate treatment of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16195

Dr. Erin Bannink is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine specialty of oncology. Dr. Bannink has a special interest in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and values a holistic approach to treatment, offering both Integrative and regular oncology consultations. She received her certification in veterinary acupuncture (CVA) through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS).

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Jessica Ottnod, DVM was born and raised in Rochester, New York and achieved her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Rochester in 2003. To pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian, she moved to Columbus, Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007.

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Michele Sauerbrey, DVM is a Michigan native, born in Southfield. She attended Michigan State University where she completed and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1992 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1997. Dr. Sauerbrey's collection of awards and recognitions obtained during her four year veterinary degree include: The Phi Zeta Award for Academic Excellence (1997) and The Jean M. Davis Foundation Scholarship (1996 & 1997).

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Dr. Jen Zimmer received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. She also received her Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) Animal Science from Michigan State University. Dr. Zimmer completed a one year clinical rotation at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine and a one year rotating internship at a specialty and referral hospital in New Mexico. Next she completed a three year ophthalmology residency at the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine working with large and small animals as well as exotic pets and wildlife.

Dr. Edyta Bula grew up in Detroit, Michigan in a Polish household. She received her Bachelors in Biology from the University of Michigan - Dearborn and then attended veterinary school at Michigan State University, graduating in 2016. She then went on to complete a rotating internship at The Ohio State University before returning to Michigan State. There she completed a 4-year program involving a surgical internship and residency with concurrent Masters in Orthopedic research focusing on knee surgery for canine cranial cruciate ligament disease.

Dr. Bula has received numerous awards throughout her veterinary training including the small animal clinical proficiency award and ACVS excellence in small animal surgery as a student, as well as multiple residents of the year awards. Specific surgery interests include orthopedic knee and fracture repair and laparoscopic procedures.

During her free time, Dr. Bula enjoys music and dance, traveling, and going on adventures with her nephews.

Dr. Jennifer Covey graduated with her DVM from Colorado State University in 2004. After completing a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at VCA West Los Angeles where she was the 2005 Intern of the Year, she went on to perform a residency in small animal surgery at Michigan Veterinary Specialists.

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Dr. Kathryn A Pitt graduated from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine with a combined DVM/MS degree in 2012. She went on to complete a small animal rotating internship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed by a three-year surgery residency at the University of California-Davis which she completed in 2016. Dr. Pitt spent a short time in private practice in Portland, OR before joining the soft tissue surgery team at Michigan State University (MSU) as an Assistant Professor in 2018. She was named head of the soft tissue surgery service in 2019. She has an interest in education and completed a post-graduate certificate in Veterinary Education in 2020 and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Dr. Pitt left MSU in the Fall of 2020 for a one-year Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Colorado State University. Dr. Pitt now spends her time as a locum surgeon, providing soft tissue and surgical oncology services across the country.

Dr. Kim Quandt grew up in southeastern Michigan and received her veterinary degree from Michigan State University in 2011. She completed a rotating internship in Illinois at VCA Aurora and Berwyn and a surgical internship at VCA Alameda East in Denver, Colorado. She then completed her surgical residency at BluePearl in Southfield and Auburn Hills and received her board certification in small animal surgery in 2017. Dr. Quandt spent some time working on the west side of Michigan prior to moving back to the east side. She has interests in both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery including arthroscopic surgery, fracture repair, oncologic surgery, and wound management.

Lauren Retallack, DVM grew up in western Washington state. She received her Bachelor of Science with honor from Western Washington University in 2008. She graduated from Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She went on to complete a rotating medical and surgical internship with Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a surgical specialty internship with Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists in Longmont, Colorado. She then completed a small animal surgical residency at Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in 2017. During Dr. Retallack’s surgical residency she received extensive training in less invasive arthroscopic and laparoscopic surgical procedures.

Special interest in: arthroscopy (shoulder, elbow and stifle), fracture repair, external skeletal fixation, thoracic, and abdominal surgery. Dr. Retallack has gained considerable experience in minimally invasive orthopedic surgery which has become the standard of care in many situations for not only humans but also veterinary medicine.
Memberships:
American Veterinary Medical Association
Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
Veterinary Orthopedic Society
Society for Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery

Dr. Eric Rowe has lived in seven different states and two different countries. Born in Florida, he spent most of his years growing up in Boston, MA. He graduated with a degree in chemistry from Boston College and worked in the biotech industry for 10 years before deciding to move to Canada and attend veterinary school at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island. After graduation, Eric moved to Detroit, MI to complete a small animal rotating internship at Michigan Veterinary Specialists. He then moved to San Diego, CA for a surgical internship at Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego. After leaving sunny San Diego, Eric completed a one year teaching/soft tissue research fellowship at the University of Missouri. Eric's next move brought him to beautiful North Carolina where he completed his small animal surgery residency at North Carolina State University. Eric's surgical interests include reconstructive surgery, minimally invasive approaches to surgery and interventional procedures.

Lucy H. Shields Henney, DVM is board-certified by the American College of Veterinarian Surgeons. She has a special interest in general, orthopedic, oral and oncologic surgery. She was the first surgeon in Michigan to perform the triple pelvic osteotomy for the treatment of hip dysplasia and continues to be a pioneer in the area.

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Monica graduated from Macomb Community College’s Veterinary Technician program in 2014, but has worked in veterinary medicine since 2012. She has a vast array of experiences in the field and has worked in reproduction, orthopedic, general practice, large animal, and even worked with some exotic animals in her career. Eventually, she discovered and fell in love with the fast paced intensity of emergency medicine.

Monica began her career with OVRS in 2014 in the emergency and critical care department. Monica began the process of obtaining her VTS (veterinary technician specialty) in ECC in 2017. In 2019, she received her official certification through the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses. She continues to work in the emergency and critical care departments at OVRS, and has developed a passion for nursing the most critical and challenging patients that come through our doors.

Monica has a special interest in neonatal medicine and has taken on over a hundred injured, orphaned, or special needs neonates of all species. Her primary goal is nursing puppies with congenital abnormalities, especially those with cleft palates. She currently has 4 cleft palate rescues that she’s cared for since birth, 3 Australian Shepherds, a Pomeranian, and 3 cats, but she almost always as some fosters at home too.

Mallory is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in both Emergency & Critical Care as well as Nutrition [VTS(ECC, Nutrition)]. She joined the OVRS Emergency team in 2007 and worked as a Veterinary Assistant in the ER department while completing the Veterinary Technician program at Macomb Community College. She earned her Veterinary Technician License in 2010 and went on to complete her Emergency & Critical Care Specialty in 2014. Following completion of her VTS(ECC), Mallory joined the Critical Care department in 2015. While working in the Critical Care department, she developed a passion for nutrition with a focus on critically ill patients. She earned her second Veterinary Technician Specialty in Nutrition in 2018.

Mallory has served as Vice President for the Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians (MAVT) and has published articles for the MAVT and Macomb Community College Vet Tech Program newsletters as well as the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians Organizational Report (VECCTOR). Her interests include assisted feeding (feeding tubes and intravenous nutrition), transfusion medicine and toxicities.

Current memberships:
Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society
Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians and Nurses
Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians
Fear Free Certified Professional

Ms. Heidi Reuss-Lamky graduated from Michigan State University’s Veterinary Technology Program in 1984. She has extensive experience in general practice, and since 1993 has devoted her technical expertise to the surgical department of specialty hospitals. She has been affiliated with Oakland Veterinary Referral Services in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, since 2006.

Heidi became certified through the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2003, and sat onthe credentials committee from 2005 to 2009. She served in the president’s role on the Executive Board of the Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians from 2007 to 2009. She was a charter member of the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians and currently sits on the executive board. She has a special interest in veterinary behavior medicine and earned her Fear Free Certification in November 2017.

Heidi is an ardent advocate for the veterinary technology profession, and serves as a consultant for many allied veterinary industries. She is on the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties, and also serves on the editorial review board for Today’s Veterinary Nurse Journal.

Heidi is a prolific author and lecturer, presenting anesthesia, surgical nursing, and Fear Free-related topics at veterinary meetings worldwide. She most recently published Chapter 8, “ Waste Anesthetic Gas Collection and Consequences,” in Veterinary Anesthetic and Monitoring Equipment, edited by Kristen Cooley and Rebecca Johnson. She was also honored to receive the 2013 NAVC Dr. Jack L. Mara Memorial Lecturer award.

Heidi currently shares her home with her husband, Bryan, and 3 dogs, 2 cats, an African grey parrot and pond koi. In her spare time she enjoys horseback riding, gardening, travel, lecturing, and quenching her never-ending thirst for knowledge.

Danielle Schaak graduated from State University of New York at Delhi’s Veterinary Technology Program in 1998. She started her career in general practice and remained in NY for the first couple of years post-graduation. She relocated to Michigan in 2000 and remained in general practice. It wasn’t until 2002 that that she began her career in specialty and emergency medicine. While spending her time in emergency medicine, she found that she had a love for long-term client relationships and chronic illness and made the move to Internal Medicine in 2006, where she remained until 2013. She acquired her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2010. She also spent a year working in the Neurology service from 2013-2014. She is an active member in the Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT), and serves her academy in helping to mentor new and upcoming members in their application process, as well as serves on the application committee. She is also a member of the Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians (MAVT) and National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). 
She joined the team at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services in 2014. She started her journey with the OVRS family in the ER Department, then made the transition once again to the Internal Medicine Department where she started up a new doctor department and worked with another one of their double boarded Internists/Cardiologists. During this time, she learned how much she loves diagnostic imaging and made the transition to the newest department - Diagnostic Imaging Department in the Fall of 2017 and plans to pursue her VTS in this area of interest as well. She also serves as a Continuing Education Coordinator for the staff at OVRS. 
She truly believes in making our four-legged family members as comfortable as possible when in her hands and became Fear Free Certified in 2018. 
Her interests include all aspects of Internal Medicine, Neurology, Endoscopy, Advanced Imaging and protecting the well-being of her patients. She still helps out in ER and loves the thrill of the fast-paced ER room as well. She thoroughly enjoys the case involvement the diagnostic imaging department has in the hospital and loves following up with cases of all kinds. She still does relief work for general practice as time permits. 
She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She also has 3 dogs (a Pug, a “Pom-Chi” and a “Golden-Doodle”) and 1 cat (Scottish Fold).  In her spare time (when she finds the time!) she enjoys bike riding, kayaking, hiking, gardening, reading, watching movies, craft projects that never get completed and relaxing!