ELLENSBURG ANIMAL HOSPITAL - Key Persons
Dr. Dan Charlton is a home grown, Kittitas County local boy who grew up raising cattle and sheep on his family's homestead. During college he developed an interest in livestock production and medicine. Working in our mixed animal general practice gives him an outlet for those interests. He is most happy when he is working outdoors taking care of his animals. He considers himself blessed that he was able to return to his family's ranch and continue raising livestock here.
Dr. Charlton graduated from Washington State University veterinary school in 1994 and since then has grown into an excellent mixed animal veterinarian. Whether it's equine teeth floating, large or small animal dystocias (birthing complications), preg checking, general surgery or plain old routine exams, he has developed vast knowledge stores and skills that he uses to guide livestock producers, horse owners, and small animal owners in the valley.
Dr. Michael Fuller grew up on an Idaho ranch, went to the University of Idaho then to WSU College of Veterinary Medicine before coming to Ellensburg in 1982. After 40 years of everything from Amazon parrots to Angus cows, ostriches to Orlov horses, and Yorkies to yellow geckos he is still in the office part time. He enjoys dog hikes and wildflowers, gardening, blacksmithing and getting in the firewood.
If you were to ask Dr. Michelle Charlton why she became a veterinarian, her short answer would be that she always wanted to. The real answer is that she found a career that gives her an outlet for her curiosity, analytical brain, and love of living systems and animals. Even as a young child Dr. Charlton loved science, medicine, and animals. She spent hours poring through animal encyclopedias and watching any nature, medical, or science program that was on television. She enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure things out and loved that the practice of medicine is like being a detective. At 9 years old she read an article about colic surgery and told her dad that she wanted to do that some day. The dream of becoming a veterinarian solidified and never changed. When she first graduated from Washington State University veterinary school in 1993, she took a job that was in ambulatory large animal and equine general practice. Although she loved the work, as often happens, life changes led to job changes which led to working as a small animal practitioner. What started as a childhood dream of performing colic surgeries on horses grew into a love of small animal general practice. Helping pets and families live their best lives brings her incredible joy. Working in general practice allows Dr. Charlton to challenge herself in both medicine and surgery. She takes pride in her abilities and is always challenging herself to keep learning and improving her knowledge and skills.
Dr. Michelle, together with her husband Dr. Dan, own a small family ranch that keeps them busy when not at the clinic. They raised two amazing kids and sent them into the world. In her free time Dr. Michelle enjoys riding her horse and has really enjoyed the training and bonding process with her newest horse. She also enjoys baking, gardening, and travel. Above all, Dr. Michelle loves to be outdoors and is always up for an adventure into the woods. Getting outdoors and into nature has profound mental and emotional healing effects and she can't imagine living or working anywhere else.
Mary Sue Harrington, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2015. (Dr Harrington has now worked at EAH as a veterinarian since 2019!)
Dr. Mary Sue Harrington graduated in 2016 from Ross University in St. Kitts and completed her clinical studies in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Having previously attended CWU and fallen in love with Ellensburg, she and her husband James jumped at the chance to return after graduation. She has a strong interest in small animal preventative and diagnostic medicine, surgery and large animal medicine especially small ruminant obstetrics. She enjoys horseback riding as well as spending time with her husband and two children on their growing ranch.
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian ( Formerly Dr. Howard )
I am Dr. Sam Taylor. I am a veterinarian and also one of the owners of the multiple award-winning Ellensburg Animal Hospital. I will happily boast from the rooftops that I have helped build a team that is unsurpassed in the field of veterinary medicine. I found my forever home in Ellensburg after falling in love with this community and this Hospital. I feel blessed to be an owner. We continue to set records in the number of patients we treat annually and the lives we are able to touch.
I believe in a straightforward, empathic approach to veterinary medicine.
I firmly believe my bedside manner is one of my best traits. It is important to me that every animal is diagnosed and treated as if it were my own. I will always be candid, provide an open dialogue about your animal and be its advocate in every instance. My interests in veterinary medicine are vast, but I particularly enjoy: emergency medicine, pediatric/geriatric medicine, helping people and their animals with end of life choices, colic and septic foals.
I am the wife of a Firefighter/EMT and the mother to 4 children. They are all nothing short of my masterpiece in this life.
I am the proud owner of the dog who set the bar for his breed, the American English Coonhound.
BIS RBIS CH CGCH Jep Boone Is Breaking Bad remains the top winning dog of his breed in the history of the AKC. Not only did he slay in the show ring, but he is the world's best family dog.
I enjoy hiking with my family and 4 dogs. I enjoy breakaway roping and other various horse sports and activities. Trevor Brazile once asked me for lessons (*disclaimer- he absolutely did not do this) but I was busy that day. Maybe another time. For those who can't tell, I enjoy humor as well.
I am a die- hard WSU alum. I often embarrass my husband yelling "Go Cougs" at strangers sporting Coug swag. Don't be surprised when you are charged fees associated with wearing UW gear to an appointment with me. Consider yourself warned.