Jena M.

Name: Jena 

Position: Pet Care Assistant

Hometown:  New Boston, Michigan

Education: Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from Grand Valley State University 

Pets: Loki, Bentley, and Tuck 

More about Jena:

  • Jena originally went to school to become an aquatic animal veterinarian. As she progressed in her degree, her passion turned towards researching animal behavior. She now hopes to become a zoologist. 
  • Outside of work, you can find her reading a Colleen Hoover novel or watching a sci-fi film. She enjoys spending time with her roommates and watching movies. She also loves to swim - she actually used to be a varsity swimmer in high school! 
  • Jena has wanted to work with animals since she was a child. Animal Planet was one source that developed her passion for wildlife. She would love to eventually be able to spot the differences in animal behavior by working with them. 
  • She has three pets - Loki (the anxious, but sweet, Jack Russell), Bentley (the sweet, senior Yorkie), and Tuck (a spunky, sassy, mixed mutt). All three are rescues from an animal shelter. 
  • Jena's favorite vacation spot is Myrtle Beach, SC or Florida. 

Sarah T.

Name: Sarah

Position: Veterinary Assistant

Hometown: Belding, MI

Pets: "Sophie", a 5 year old poodle mix that is a couch potato; "Kiki" a 12 year old domestic short hair; 9 chickens and a calf named, "Triangle"

More about Sarah:

  • Sarah has been working in the veterinary field since 2002.
  • Before working at Cascade Hospital for Animals, Sara worked on a horse farm in Lowell, and a horse ranch in Montana
  • The meerkat is her favorite zoo animal
  • The three things she thinks about most in the day is family, what to make for dinner, and family
  • Growing up, she wanted to be a zookeeper
  • The first concert she went to was the Beach Boys at the Ionia Free Fair
  • The most unusual thing she has ever eaten was alligator.

Lisa H.

Name: Lisa

Position: Client Care Assistant

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Pets: 5 cats "Trippie"-age 14, "Ensley"-age 12, "Lupin"- age 10, "Nova"-age10; 4 dogs "Cozzie"- age 15, "Lucky"- age 14, "Junie"- age 10, "Harlan"- age 2

More about Lisa:

  • Lisa has been with Cascade Hospital for Animals since 2010
  • The most enjoyable part of her job is watching the boarding dogs reunite with their families after a long stay.
  • Growing up she wanted to become a veterinarian.
  • Her favorite subject in school was biology.
  • Her strongest sense would be smell
  • The one thing she could not go a day without would be going outside.
  • The song she would sing at karaoke night would be "There is no Arizona" by Jamie O'Neal

Gabi D.

Name: Gabi

Position: Client Care Assistant

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan

More about Gabi:

  • Outside of work, Gabi likes rock climbing, reading, weekly trivia, and taking care of carnivorous plants! 
  • She had two cats for 20 years and says that they have always been her inspiration. 
  • Gabi was inspired to pursue a position at Cascade Hospital for Animals by her several close friends that take their pets here and their kind remarks about the hospital. 
  • Her favorite TV show is "Malcolm in the Middle"! It reminds her of her busy house growing up.