OCEANA VETERINARY CLINIC - Key Persons
Brandy joined our team in August 2021 as our newest LVT all the way from Texas. She received her Associates in Veterinary Technology in 2006 and her Bachelors of Science in 2009 from the University of Texas. She has 2 dogs. Jetta, a German Shepherd and Lambo, a Border Collie. She loves working in surgery cases with the OVC doctors. Brandy's spare time is spent with her family playing board games and spending time in the great outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Veterinary Technician
- Licensed Veterinary Technician
Christine is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and a 2017 graduate of Baker College. She enjoys helping pet owners care for their beloved pets and clinical laboratory work. Christine and her husband have multiple rescue pets including: 6 cats, 2 dogs, and a guinea pig. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, painting, music, and all things cat. Christine can easily be described as a crazy cat lady.
Dani started as an intern during the spring of 2022 and after graduation from Baker College, she joined our team as a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She has a passion for all the felines in our practice. Dani shares her house with 3 cats and her husband. In her free time, she enjoys crafting and spinning yarn.
Dr. Potter recently joined our team in the summer of 2022. She attended the University Finland in Ohio where she earned a bachelor's degree in Animal Science. After earning her bachelor's degree, Dr. Potter was accepted at the University of Missouri where she earned her degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Potter is originally from Whitehall, and she decided to return to the area to practice. Dr. Potter enjoys spinning, weaving, reading, and spending time on the lake. She has a shih tzu, Nemo, and a cat, Bart.
Dr. Horton graduated from Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. After several years of being an associate veterinarian, she decided to purchase Oceana Veterinary Clinic in February of 2010 and in 2022 she purchased White Lake Animal Clinic. Annalisa, who is originally from Shelby, is very thankful to be able to serve this community. She lives in New Era with her husband, Jeremy, and three children, Natalie, Zach, and Audrey. They have a Bernese Moutain Dog (Maggi), a Golden Retriever (Greta), and 2 cats (Yeti & Everest). She spends a great deal of time with her family. She also runs and hand quilts in her spare time.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Receptionist
- Veterinarian
- Veterinary Assistant
Dr. Pluger joined the OVC in June of 2020 following her graduation from Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. You may recognize Dr. Emily as she is a graduate of Shelby High School and spent several summers working at Oceana Veterinary Clinic during her college career. Dr. Pluger, her husband Tim, daughter Mila, son Brooks and two dogs Ella & Mattie (pictured) recently moved back to the area from Holland to be closer to family.
Emily joined our team in 2012 as our receptionist and veterinary assistant. She brought 6 1/2 years of experience in the veterinary field to our practice. She has a passion for taking care of people and values the relationships that she builds. Emily is originally from Hesperia and collects white cats (all rescues of course) and beagles (Mindy and Oscar). In her spare time Emily enjoys spending time with her husband & family, Jeeping, camping, and crafting.
Dr. Heaton graduated from Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. After working 2 years as an associate in a 4-man mixed practice in Portland, Michigan, he returned home to Montague and began a large animal practice. Dr. Heaton purchased White Lake Animal Clinic in 1987, and continued in mixed practice until 2003, when he chose to limit the practice to companion animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Heaton resides in Montague with his wife, Carla and their boxer, Hazel, and occasionally some of their four daughters, four sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. He has always felt blessed to practice in a small, close-knit community where he can know his clients and their animals well.
Job Titles:
- Client Service Representative
Katie joined the team November of 2022. She brings several years of human medical experience with her. Along with her customer service skills, she is a superb baker and keeps our team supplied with beautiful and delicious baked goods. Katie enjoys her two pets, Prissy, her cat (pictured) and Pansy her Black Labrador. In her free time Katie enjoys baking and crocheting.
Melissa brings over 25 years of small animal veterinary medicine experience to Oceana Veterinary Clinic. Melissa enjoys many aspects of the veterinary field including dental health, patient care and client education. She is also passionate about practice growth and development and earned her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) title in 2020. When not at the office, Melissa spends time with her husband and 2 children as well as her pets Bindi (Australian Shepherd) and Gherkin (cat). She and her family enjoy walking, camping and attending horse shows.
Fun Fact: When a young teen, Melissa spent time shadowing farm calls with Dr. Brenda, from the well-known program "The Incredible Dr. Pohl"
lPhoebe is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and graduate of Baker College. She enjoys animal behavior, clinical laboratory and surgical prep. She has a Miniature Schnauzer (Mindy), a Lab Mix (Nellie, pictured), a Jersey steer, cats and rabbits. Phoebe has also decided to branch out and gain more medical knowledge on the human side and is currently attending nursing school. In her spare time, Phoebe enjoys photography, knitting, cake decorating, and gardening. She also enjoys hiking and snowshoeing with Nellie to explore new terrain.
Sammi is a graduate of Baker College's Veterinary Technology Program. She grew up on a dairy farm and has hands on experience with animal husbandry. Sammi also spends time providing instruction to current students in the Veterinary Technology Program at Baker College. Sammi and her husband Alex have two beautiful little girls, Addie & Josie, a husky named Togo, several cats and a quarter horse, Tail Spin. Most of Sammi's spare time is spent with her family or riding her horse.
Shannon graduated from Baker College's Veterinary Technology program in 2009 and began working at White Lake Animal Clinic shortly after. She especially enjoys helping out in surgery and working in the lab. She shares her home with her dog, Nike, and four cats, Cake, Lou, Picnic, and Gnoll. Shannon has always had an interest in art & photography and loves traveling with her camera. In her spare time she takes lessons in aerial silks.