Our Team

The people who care for your pets.

Five experienced veterinarians and a knowledgeable support team who love animals as much as you do.

Veterinarians

Dr. James Botsford with his dog, Mr. Fischer

Dr. James Botsford

Practice Owner · Veterinarian

Michigan State University, 1985. Dr. Botsford opened Woodland’s doors in 1988.

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Dr. James H. Botsford is a graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Graduating in 1985, Dr. Botsford has been practicing veterinary medicine for forty years. Currently, Dr. Botsford is an active member of The American Veterinary Medical Association, The Veterinary Information Network, and the Phi Zeta Honor Society for Veterinarians.

Over the years, he has been privileged with the opportunity to create personal connections with our clients and their pets. Since our doors opened in 1988 he has prided himself on treating everyone with polite, professional, and personable service.

Alongside his professional résumé, Dr. Botsford is a passionate musician. He loves to sing and play acoustic guitar. He also spends his free time reading, listening to podcasts, traveling, and spending time with his beloved friends and family.

At home are his two dogs: Mr. Fischer, a feisty, very active Rat Terrier he’s had since he was 10 weeks old, and his brother Memphis, a mixed-breed dog from the streets of Flint, Michigan. The two live and play hard.

Dr. Therese Heinonen

Dr. Therese Heinonen

Veterinarian

Michigan State University, 1988, with 35+ years caring for people and their pets.

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Dr. Heinonen graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. Over the past 35 years, she has actively pursued her interests in health research and policy while maintaining her passion: caring for people and their pets.

Dr. Heinonen is married and has raised two adult children, plus dogs, cats, horses, birds, and reptiles. In her free time she most enjoys outdoor sports, reading, and writing. She is very happy to be joining Dr. Botsford and his team of animal health professionals at Woodland Animal Hospital.

Dr. Jennifer Swisher

Dr. Jennifer Swisher

Veterinarian

Michigan State graduate with interests in companion animal medicine and surgery.

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Dr. Jenna Swisher recently graduated from Michigan State University with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Prior to veterinary school graduation, she spent about two years working at our practice and is thrilled to return as a veterinarian.

She has worked in the veterinary field since 2017, gaining experience in a variety of roles and developing a passion for helping animals and the people who love them. Her professional interests include companion animal medicine and surgery. She enjoys partnering with pet owners to make informed decisions about their pets’ health.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Swisher enjoys hiking, gardening, crafting, swimming, white water rafting, and spending time outdoors. At home she is kept busy with their cat, Astrid, along with two Goldendoodles, Sniper and Penny. A fun fact: she holds a 5th-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and previously owned and operated a karate school.

Dr. Crystal Eberly

Dr. Crystal Eberly

Veterinarian

The Ohio State University, 25+ years of experience, special interest in senior pets.

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Dr. Crystal Eberly is a passionate veterinarian with over 25 years of experience in the field. A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Nutrition. She loves integrating nutritional health into her internal medicine cases and has a special interest in senior pet care, particularly the complexities of chronic disease and pain management.

In addition to her work in traditional practice, Dr. Eberly owns and operates PetAlliance, a Brighton-based mobile veterinary service. She works closely with Dr. Botsford and Woodland Animal Hospital, where she sees patients on a regular basis and performs surgery.

Outside of work, Dr. Eberly finds her greatest joy in family life, outdoor adventures like fishing and gardening, and weekends at the lake. At home, she enjoys quiet moments with her English bulldog, Moose, and her two cats, Oliver and JuneBug.

Dr. Allison Birndorf

Dr. Allison Birndorf

Veterinarian

Michigan State University, 2012, with years of experience across Michigan.

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Dr. Allison Birndorf graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, then headed to East Lansing to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian, graduating from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012.

Dr. Birndorf worked out of state after graduation, but quickly returned to her beloved home state of Michigan. In 2016 she started doing relief work and has practiced at several clinics all over Michigan, where she gained valuable experience caring for family pets.

Dr. Birndorf has a lifelong appreciation of wildlife — moose would be her favorite animal. She has traveled to 35 National Parks and hopes to visit all 63. She golfs in the summer and bowls in a winter league, and at home there’s a 19-year-old calico cat named Scully.

Our support team

Shelby Reed

Shelby Reed

Practice Manager
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Shelby first joined the Woodland Animal Hospital team in 2016 as a veterinary assistant. In May 2023, she assumed the role of Practice Manager.

Beyond her professional life, Shelby finds joy in bowling, golfing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. At home are her dogs, Charlie, Chai and Molly, and her cats, Chico and Chedison. In 2018, Shelby and her parents renovated a one-room schoolhouse built in 1850 and transformed it into a modern, unique, loving home.

RoseLee Roark

RoseLee Roark

Client Experience Coordinator
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RoseLee, or as we like to call her, Rose, is our dedicated Client Experience Coordinator. With 8 years of experience in the veterinary industry, we’re so glad she landed in our clinic in December 2022.

Rose can often be found reading, drawing, traveling, going to a concert, or spending time with friends and family. She recently adopted a chihuahua puppy named Rio Coquito, who works full time at the clinic as a morale booster. She once fulfilled her dream of riding a horse in the ocean while visiting Ireland.

Kate Wallace

Kate Wallace

Client Service Representative
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Kate joined the Woodland Animal Hospital team at the end of April 2026, bringing 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine across many types of clinics and roles. To help avoid confusion with our other Kate, she goes by “Katelyn” on the phone.

Kate shares her home with five cats: Geppetto, Merida, Ernie Beaker, Russell, and Toby. Outside of work she enjoys fishing, camping, exploring new beaches, watching baseball, and getting lost in a good book.

Kate Mayson

Kate Mayson

Veterinary Assistant
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Kate joined the Woodland Animal Hospital team in April 2024, bringing 7 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge, especially from the animal shelter side. She is certified in pet massage and canine water therapy.

Kate’s home is filled with six cats, three small dogs, and a ball python named Mongo. When she’s not caring for animals, you can find her crafting, reading, pet sitting, or immersing herself in all things Dungeons & Dragons and Harry Potter.

Melinda Geise

Melinda Geise

Veterinary Assistant
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Melinda joined the Woodland Animal Hospital team in August 2024, bringing 4 years of experience in the veterinary industry.

At home are two small dogs, Ruben and Gibson, three cats, a bearded dragon named Fergus, and five leopard geckos. In her free time you can find Melinda painting, mushroom hunting, playing guitar, or hiking through nature.

Kathleen Fox

Kathleen Fox

Veterinary Assistant
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Kat joined our team in August 2025 as a veterinary assistant while pursuing her studies to become a veterinary technician. She also runs her own business, A Modern Day Snow White, offering pet sitting, dog walking, and in-home veterinary technician services.

At home, Kat and her family keep a full and happy household of three dogs, eight cats, and ten chickens. She enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, gardening, running, reading, writing songs, and fostering animals whenever she can.

Josie Wealer

Josie Wealer

Veterinary Assistant
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Josie joined the Woodland Animal Hospital team in August 2026 after relocating to Michigan from Southern Maryland. With more than two years of experience, she is passionate about helping every patient feel comfortable and stress-free, and has a special interest in supporting patients and families through end-of-life care.

Josie enjoys walking, photography, building Lego masterpieces, and traveling. She shares her home with a Cocker Spaniel named Randall James, a Great Pyrenees mix named Posey Jane, and two crested geckos.

Christine Adamo

Christine Adamo

Veterinary Assistant
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Christine joined the Woodland Animal Hospital team in September 2026 with about a year of experience in veterinary medicine. She is working toward her goal of attending veterinary school and becoming a veterinarian.

Christine shares her life with her dog, Marty. She loves crafts of all kinds, concerts and festivals, and once studied abroad at a cheetah conservancy in South Africa.

Mr. Bond, the clinic cat
In loving memory

Mr. Bond, our clinic kitty

Mr. Bond was the resident kitty at Woodland Animal Hospital and a cherished part of our team for many years. Reserved at first, he was the sweetest, chattiest soul once he trusted you — greeting staff and clients with signature meows and slow blinks.

He loved breakfast, Temptations and Churu, a good conversation, and making biscuits on any blanket, chair or lap he could find. Mr. Bond passed away in February 2026 and is deeply missed. We will always be grateful for our sweet Bon Bon.