We’ll Make A Difference

Over the 40 years we’ve been in practice, our patients and their parents have become like family. Warm hugs, shared stories and lots of tail wags and chin scratches are the norm around here! Does your Kalamazoo vet provide this level of personalized care? If not, perhaps it’s time for a change. Call or stop in and see us today. We can’t wait to meet you!

Dr. Heather Short

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Heather Short’s passion for animal care began when she was only eight years old—it hasn’t wavered since. For her, another career path simply wouldn’t have made sense! Dr. Short is proud to care for pets and their owners every day as an Associate Veterinarian with the Pet Vet Family Pet Care team.

Dr. Short graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996, and has been practicing in small-animal medicine ever since. Medically, she enjoys preventative care, wellness exams, dermatological work, and quality-of-life care for pets suffering from chronic diseases. Most of all, she loves creating new relationships with the area’s pet owners and their beloved companions.

Dr. Short’s interests outside of veterinary medicine include scrapbooking, photography, visiting cities like Chicago and Traverse City, bowling, bicycling, swimming, and spending quality time with friends, family, and pets. She has two children, Ashley and Austin—and shares her home with a trio of domestic short-haired cats: Mittens, Mynx, and Shadow.

Dr. Claudia Gonzalez

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Gonzalez grew up in Miami and attended Florida International University where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology. In 2018, she went on to pursue her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Michigan State University. She has a special interest in internal medicine, behavior, and preventative medicine. Dr. Gonzalez enjoys spending time with her very adventurous dog named Martin and her cats Lily and Nimbus. She also loves the outdoors and visiting National Parks, one of the many reasons she decided to stay in Michigan with her furry family.

Dr. Michael Cole

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

The Team at Pet Vet Family Pet Care Center is excited to welcome Dr. Michael Cole, DVM. Dr Cole earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in 2013 after earning his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan. His is also Fear Free certified.

Dr. Cole’s father and grandfather were both veterinarians and he grew up working in his father’s practice in Northern Michigan where his passion for veterinary medicine took root. He is particularly interested in gastroenterology and animal behavior.

Dr. Cole has a 13 year old DSH tuxedo cat with whom he enjoys watching movies. He also enjoys playing board games with family and friends as well as camping and reading.

He looks forward to meeting the clients and patients over the coming months, beginning April 3rd!

Dr. Brenttany Lawrence

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

The Team at Pet Vet Family Pet Care Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Brenttany Lawrence, DVM. Dr. Lawrence earned her DVM from St Matthew’s University in 2013. Dr. Lawrence has 10+ years of experience delivering patient and client focused care for small animals with varying needs and urgency. She is skilled at preventive care, dentistry, chronic disease management, as well as routine and non-routine surgery.

Dr. Lawrence and her wife have a 3 year old son and an 8 year old Pitbull named Axe who was a shelter “foster failure.” She and her family enjoy hiking, boating, travel – especially to national parks, farm work and reading.

She looks forward to meeting the clients and patients of Pet Vet over the coming months, beginning Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

Danielle Perry

Practice Manager

Danielle started her administrative career many years ago at a “Human” medical hospital however, with her love of all things furry she made the switch to “Pet” hospitals and has not looked back.
Danielle loves working behind the scenes at Pet Vet. Her philosophy of “Customer Service is key to ALL successful businesses” makes her a great asset.
Along with two dogs and 1 cat, Danielle has 16 mini-Nigerian dwarf goats, 11 Indian Runner ducks, 5 Flemish Giant rabbits, 2 sheep and 1 mini donkey. In her spare time, she makes goat milk products, loves crafting, and spending time with her family!

Alisa

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Alisa graduated from Baker College in 2012 and has her veterinary technician license in both Michigan and Indiana. She is originally from Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada. Alisa is a veteran and has proudly served in the U.S. Army and the Canadian Navy.

Alisa enjoys getting to know and help a wide variety of patients. She likes learning more advanced and compassionate ways to provide exceptional care. Alisa is Fear Free Certified. Her approach helps to create trust with animals, which provides a more positive veterinary visit experience.

Alisa has been married for 35 years, has two children, a Sheltie and two cats.

Sade

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Sade graduated from Baker College Veterinary Technical Program in 2019. Sade has three cats and two dogs. She enjoys video games, dancing, and house plants. Sade is Fear Free Certified and is a big proponent of squeeze cheese during treatment and restraint.

Taylor

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Taylor graduated from Michigan State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s of science in Veterinary Nursing.

From a young age she has had a passion for animals and has always known she wanted to work within the veterinary medical field.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as reading books.

Shyanne

Certified Veterinary Assistant

Shyanne graduated from Ross Medical Education Center in 2021 with a Certificate of Veterinary Assistant. She enjoys working in veterinary medicine to help animals and their owners to receive the very best care possible.

Shyanne lives with her family and several animals on their family farm. In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding, reading, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Tiffany

Veterinary Assistant

Tiffany graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Zoology. She was an intern at a wolf sanctuary in New Mexico following her education at MSU. Tiffany is a Veterinary Assistant and is enjoying learning new veterinary skills with the Pet Vet Team.

In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys camping, hiking, and traveling whenever the opportunity arises. At home she lives with her three lovable dogs—Caesar, Lily and Zeus.

Gretchen

Boarding & Kennel Supervisor

Gretchen has lived in Kalamazoo for more than 20 years. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. 

She has loved animals all of her life and since childhood has always had a dog. Gretchen said she just can’t imagine her life without a dog.

In her spare time, Gretchen enjoys baking, gardening, and walking her four dogs.

Erin

Customer Service Representative

Erin is currently a student at Western Michigan University in environmental studies. Veterinary medicine has always been of interest and she loves working with animals.

In her free time, Erin enjoys hiking trails, playing with her dog Benjamin and napping with her fluffy cat Suki.

Vayda

Certified Veterinary Assistant

Vayda graduated from Penn Foster with a certification in veterinary assistant. She has always had a love and passion for helping animals in need and that is what created her spark to become a vet assistant.

Vayda currently lives at home with her family, 2 cats and a dog. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her horse, time outdoors and time with friends.

Sarah

Customer Service Representative

Sarah is currently a student at Western Michigan University for Elementary Education. She loves working with children, but also loves working with animals. She has grown up with multiple different animals from dogs to goats to lizards and she has loved caring and learning about each one.

Her hobbies include reading, walking her dog, Arlo, and playing board games with family and friends.

Ashleigh

Certified Veterinary Assistant

Ashleigh is a credentialed Veterinary Assistant with 8 years of experience. Recently she became ALAT certified and is currently a student of Purdue University’s Veterinary Nursing program. She has always had a deep passion for animal welfare and considers it her life’s purpose. Veterinary conferences and continued education are an important priority for her to ensure she fulfills her role exceptionally within the Pet Vet family.

Outside of caring for animal patients, Ashleigh also enjoys spending quality time with her daughters. They love Thomas Kinkade puzzles and visiting arboretums together. Their home is also blessed with two lovely felines, Mulan (a bottle baby foster fail) and Mushu (a rescue Sphynx) as well as their handsome canine mutt, Apollo. Ashleigh looks forward to providing loving care to all patients of the Pet Vet hospital.

Sierra

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Sierra has worked in veterinary shelter work and dog grooming for four years. She assists the doctors and technicians with patient history, restraining, and vaccines. Sierra has always had a passion for animal care. She aspires to learn and spread as much education as she possibly can for all pets and owners alike.

Shaila

Veterinary Technician Assistant

Shaila is currently attending Penn Foster for her veterinary technician certification. She has worked in veterinary medicine for four years, both in emergency care and mobile care. Shaila has always had a passion for helping and caring for animals. She knew at a young age that she would work in the veterinary field. Shaila lives with her family and a rambunctious Yorkie. In her free time she enjoys making memories with her son and dog and furthering her education.

Debbie

Lead Customer Service Representative

Debbie has been a receptionist and assistant for over thirteen years. She has a soft spot for cats and is the proud owner of multiple cats. In her spare time Debbie enjoys arts and crafts and gardening.

Alex

Groomer

Alex has been a professional dog groomer for four years and has been in the animal care industry for ten years. She is AKC S.A.F.E. certified. Alex specializes in skin care and pet style breed trims. In her spare time she enjoys reading and attending dog shows where she shows and competes with her dog Bayou. She has three dogs, two cats, and two snakes.

Hayley

Boarding Kennel Attendant

Hayley is currently attending Kalamazoo Valley Community Collegemajoring in Biological Sciences. She has always had a huge heart for animals and plans to further her education in veterinary medicine. Hayley lives with family which includes two dogs, a cat, hamster and crested gecko. In her spare time she enjoys painting, playing with her cat Delilah, and spending time with friends.