Name: Ava

Position: Pet Care Assistant

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pets: 2 dogs and 3 cats

More about Ava:

• Ava loves animals of all sizes and hopes that one day she will pursue a degree in veterinary nursing.
• Outside of work, she enjoys playing tennis. paddle boarding, crocheting and watching movies with her cats.
• Ava is excited about the growth opportunities available, while being able to work with animals at the same time.

Name: Jordyn

Position: Pet Care Assistant

Hometown: Portland, Michigan

Pets: Willa (family dog)

More about Jordyn:

• Jordyn has a love for all species of animals and can't remember a time when she wasn't concerned for their well being. 
• Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, golfing, pickleball, mini golf and watching all sports.
• Jordyn is very excited to join the team and to get the opportunity to see the medical side of animal care.
• Some of Jordyn's favorite vacation spots include the east coast, visiting the mountains in Tennessee, and seeing all the different wildlife.

Name: Bret

Position: Pet Care Assistant

Hometown: Rockford, Michigan

Pets: Boo and Miles

More about Bret:

• Bret has loved being around animals since she was young. She always had multiple kinds of animals growing up, including chameleons, turtles, iguanas, cats, and dogs. 
• Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and traveling to national parks with her sister, going to her cottage in the summer time, and going out of her boat.
• Bret owns two cats, Boo and Miles. Miles is known to be very hyper and enjoys climbing, while Boo is more of a "lover" who will cuddle on the couch and watch TV with her. 
• Some of Bret's favorite vacation spots are the Upper Peninsula, the West Coast, and the Grand Canyon. 

Name: Maddie Barrett, DVM

Position: Associate Veterinarian 

Education: Michigan State University (BS), Oregon State University (DVM)

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pets: Emery, Luna, and Spark

More about Dr. Barrett 

Dr. Barrett has always loved working with animals, and wanted to be a veterinarian since she was in elementary school. She developed a love for exotics, wildlife, and zoo medicine while spending part of her clinical year rotating through several zoos and working with some amazing animals including big cats, marine mammals, and elephants! As a child, she loved coming to Cascade Hospital for Animals with her mom and asking the veterinarian various questions about their pets. When she decided that she wanted to be a doctor herself, she shadowed at our clinic in high school and college, then worked as a Veterinary Assistant before going to vet school! 
Dr. Barrett and her husband acquired all of their pets accidentally! Their Golden Retriever, Emory, was originally a foster for Paws with a Cause (an organization that trains service dogs for people with disabilities). When she was released from the program, Dr. Barrett was asked if she wanted to adopt her, which was a no-brainer! Luna, their Klee Kai, was abandoned by her previous owner and found her forever home with Dr. Barrett. She is very quirky, energetic, and  way too intelligent for her own good! Their cat, Spark, climbed into Dr. Barrett's car at 7 weeks old in the parking lot at vet school. Dr. Barrett says he is the "pinnacle of an orange boy" and is the perfect fit for their life. 
Outside of work, Dr. Barrett enjoys spending quality time with her husband and pets, getting into nature, cooking, and finding new TV shows to watch.