CLARKE ANIMAL HOSPITAL - Key Persons
Dr. Katie Armstrong grew up in Michigan and received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. She then graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. It was there that she met her husband, fellow veterinarian, Michael. After graduation, she practiced in Texas for a few years before returning home to beautiful Michigan. She currently has 2 dogs named Lila and Sia, and a three-legged cat named Roux. She also now has a young daughter at home. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and spending time at the beach (when it's not covered in snow and ice!).
Dr. Sarah Zimmerman was born and raised in the Grand Rapids area. From a very young age, Dr. Zimmerman aspired to be a veterinarian. She graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Zoology in 1997. Continuing as a Spartan, Dr. Zimmerman graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. Dr. Zimmerman has lived and practiced veterinary medicine in West Michigan for the past 18 years.
Dr. Zimmerman enjoys every aspect of being a small animal general practitioner especially, developing long term client and patient relationships. Dr. Zimmerman has a special interest in preventative care and internal medicine.
Dr. Zimmerman lives in Spring Lake with her family: husband, Mark, and four beautiful children, Bethany, Benjamin, Naomi and Noah. The Zimmerman Family have 2 dogs and 2 cats (Wesley, Shalane, Desiree and Biscuit). In her free time, Dr. Zimmerman is an avid runner and an enthusiastic cheerleader for her children and their activities!
Dr. Harden was born and raised in Grand Haven. He attended MSU from 1985-1992 where he graduated from Vet School. He has been a DVM at Clarke for 28 years and counting! Dr. Harden has a special interest in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Outside of work he enjoys marathon training, spending time with his wife Lanette, their 2 golden retrievers Franklynn and Charlie, and their cat Izzie (named after MSU's basketball coach Tom Izzo). He has run the Boston Marathon going on 7 times and his claim to fame is that his mom is a Fricano of the Fricano's Pizza franchise!
Dr. Thayer was born in Michigan while his father attended Michigan State, he grew up in Taiwan, Australia, and Maryland. It was while living in Australia that he discovered his love for animals and his fascination with their diversity.
Dr. Thayer graduated from the University of Maryland in 1991 with a degree in Animal Science. He then attended veterinary school at Virginia Tech where he graduated with a DVM in 1995. After veterinary school, he completed a 1-year small animal internship in veterinary emergency medicine and critical care at the Veterinary Institute of Trauma Emergency and Critical Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Following graduation, Dr. Thayer worked for about 7 years in Emergency/Specialty veterinary hospitals. Following the birth of his first child, he changed to small animal daytime practice as the hours were more conducive to raising children. He became a stay-at-home dad for a few years after the arrival of his third daughter. He has 3 beautiful school-age daughters.
In his spare time, Dr. Thayer enjoys woodworking, photography, playing the banjo, and meditating. Dr. Thayer's family has an English Pointer, a lab mix rescue, 2 indoor cats, 3 mice, a rat, 2 turtles, 2 leopard Geckos, and tropical fish.