Meet our Staff!
Leadership Team
Elise Ramsey
Sarah Schertel
Executive Director
Senior Director of Operations
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Elise currently serves as the Executive Director at Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, where she embodies the organization's mission of compassion and care for all animals and the people who love them. Elise holds a BA in University Studies from Western Michigan University. Prior to her role as Executive Director, Elise held the position of Director of Operations, overseeing aspects of the Shelter, Boarding, Grooming, and Doggy Daycare. Before joining the team at LTBHS, Elise honed her expertise in the Field Services arena as a Cruelty Investigator and the Manager of Field Services at Michigan Humane in Detroit. Elise enjoys sharing her life in Northern Michigan with her LTBHS alumni’s Hela and Roo. She also has a Highland Cow named Ferdinand, a miniature mule named Salty, a miniature pony named Little Debby, and a quarter horse named Huxley.
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Sarah serves as the Senior Director of Operations and is responsible for overseeing all shelter operations in addition to boarding, grooming, daycare, training and veterinary services. She is a Certified Pet Groomer, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Certified Canine Behavior Consultant, Fear Free Certified Trainer, and an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Sarah has years of experience working with animals including in doggie daycare, boarding and grooming facilities. She has nearly a decade of experience in both municipal and non-profit shelters investigating animal cruelty in Michigan as well. A transplant to Northern Michigan from downstate, Sarah is so happy to be working at LTBHS where the animals and the people who love them are always at the forefront of the mission. At home, Sarah has a best friend named Vaughn.
Jessica Mendezona
Senior Director of Advancement
Matt Kubler
Director of Finance
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Jessica is responsible for all aspects of development, fundraising, marketing and communications, community and youth engagement and donor administration for the organization. She comes to our organization with over 12 years of animal welfare and leadership experience in both the municipal and non-profit sector, including time in Texas and southeastern Michigan. Jessica is also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Fear Free Shelter certified, and has a soft spot for the underdogs. Jessica has two rescue dogs, Mia and Mo (an LTBHS alum!).
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Director of Finance
Matt is responsible for overseeing all aspects of financials for the organization.
Clinic Director
Jen Juilleret
Sonya Gerathy
Director of Administration
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Jen is responsible for all daily operations of the veterinary practice and is a Certified Veterinary Business Leader. Prior to her current position, Jen had 27 years of experience as a veterinary technician and has been with the organization for almost 11 years. Jen lives in Alanson with her husband Scott and rescue dog Finni, and enjoys hiking, traveling, and rock hunting in her free time.
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Sonya has been working at LTBHS since she and her family moved to Petoskey in 2015. In her current role as Director of Administration, Sonya handles all administrative tasks for staff, such as onboarding new employees, processing payroll and overseeing facility maintenance. In her free time, Sonya likes to spend time with her family and with her dog Maple, adopted from LTBHS.
Admin and ADVANCEMENT Team
Kinsey VanKuiken
Donor Relations Manager
Carol Giles
Events Coordinator
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Kinsey is responsible for donor administration and communication, and assisting with other aspects of development (fundraising, events, social media) for the organization. In her free time, Kinsey enjoys outdoor adventuring, painting and rock hounding. She has a certification in Expert Dog Snuggling and has 3 dogs: Brady, Mookie, and Koda (an LTBHS alum).
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Carol is responsible for planning and executing all signature events for the organization, as well as other aspects of development (donor administration and communication). Prior to her time at LTBHS, Carol has 30 plus years of experience in the corporate world. Carol enjoys horseback riding, skiing, mountain biking, and hiking. Carol has a horse named Beau and two LTBHS alunmi dogs of her own, named Pickles and Lola.
Kyra Ashcraft
Accountant Specialist
Allyson Waldron
Foster & Community Programs Coordinator
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Allyson serves as the Foster & Community Programs Coordinator for LTBHS and is responsible for our foster program, off-site events and community engagement efforts as part of the Advancement team. She loves connecting with the community, building relationships, and sharing the mission that means so much to her. When she’s not helping foster parents or out in the community, you’ll find her spending time with her two cats, Peaches and Soy Sauce, and her dog, Bellini. They keep her inspired, grounded, and always stocked with great animal stories. Allyson is passionate about the work we do and brings her energy, creativity, and heart to every part of her role.
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Kyra is responsible for all accounting aspects of the organization.
Volunteer & Humane Education Coordinator
KATHLEEN KAE
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Kathy is responsible for the daily oversight of volunteer, youth and community engagement programs. She comes to LTBHS with history and knowledge of volunteer management, fundraising and event organizing. In her free time, she enjoys black ash basket weaving, wood working, beading, and DIY-ing. She has two cats and a mouse of her own at home.
Shelter Team
Dr. Diane Gildersleeve
Sarah Burdick
Shelter & Community Medicine Veterinarian
Shelter Manager
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Dr. G has been involved in shelter medicine in some way ever since she was in vet school in Virginia. She holds her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, her JD from the University of Connecticut, and her BA from Michigan State University. She is passionate about being able to care for animals who need an advocate; that is what fuels her work at LTBHS. Born in the Midwest, she’s also lived in Connecticut and Florida and she spent 17 years in New Hampshire. She is a Spartan. She lives with Gil Hodges Gildersleeve, a rescue dog and life-long Mets from Washington DC, and Felix T. Cat, from the Swanzey, New Hampshire. In her free time, Dr. G enjoys birding, walking/hiking with Gil, sewing, and photography.
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Sarah oversees all aspects of the shelter including adoptions, intakes, daily care, and Foster and Volunteer programs. Sarah earned her Bachelors Degree from the University of Michigan in Brain Behavior and Cognitive Science. She comes to LTBHS with over 10 years of experience in Animal Welfare, and knowledge of animal behavior. In her free time, Sarah enjoys painting, watching scary movies, and spending time with her plethora of rescue animals: a husky named Everest, a Cane Corso named Lil Toot Toot, two cats named Inspector Purrdick and Cotton Hill, and a guinea pig named Wheesky.
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Responsible for the daily care of shelter animals, supervising kennel staff, training, and walking dogs. Elizabeth has been with LTBHS for more than 10 years. When not at LTBHS, Elizabeth spends time with her dog, Jolie.
Lead Animal Care Attendant
Elizabeth Hart
Will ryckman
Shelter Medicine Veterinary Assistant
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Will assists with providing daily care for all of the animals in the shelter, including walking, cleaning, medicating and socializing them prior to adoption. In his free time, he enjoys reading, swimming, hiking, and camping. He currently has one very goofy dog, Theo.
Animal Care Attendant
Heather Duarte
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Heather assists with providing daily care for all of the animals in the shelter, including walking, cleaning, medicating and socializing them prior to adoption.
Jaxen Luna
Animal Care Attendant
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Jaxen assists with providing daily care for all of the animals in the shelter, including walking, cleaning, medicating and socializing them prior to adoption. He has three dogs, Roxy, Blue and Snickers, and two cats named Harry and JarJar. His his free time, he enjoys cooking, drawing, and going to karaoke.
Animal Care Attendant
destiny wisdom
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Destiny assists with providing daily care for all of the animals in the shelter, including walking, cleaning, medicating and socializing them prior to adoption. She has two cats, a guinea pig and a gecko of her own, and enjoys playing games and hanging out with her pets in her free time.
Alayna reid
Animal Care Attendant
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Alayna assists with providing daily care for all of the animals in the shelter, including walking, cleaning, medicating and socializing them prior to adoption. Alayna has two rescued Lab mixes of her own, and enjoys horseback riding, hiking, beach trips and dance in her free time.
ASHLEY PRITCHETT
Shelter Coordinator
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Ashley is responsible for overseeing the front desk, and all aspects of intakes, adoption and customer service.
TAMSEN ROSINSKI
Animal Care Attendant
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Tamsen assists with providing daily care for all of the animals in the shelter, including walking, cleaning, medicating and socializing them prior to adoption. Tamsen has 2 cats, Mike and Bumble Bee, and pet fish. In her free time, she enjoys tending to her aquariums, art, and photography.
Boarding & Grooming Team
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Sarah is responsible for overseeing client relationships and the daily care of boarding and grooming animals. Sarah is Fear Free Certified and has over 15 years of experience in animal care. At home, she has two animals of her own, a spicy senior cat named Bro-Bro and a spaniel named Johnny.
Client Services Manager
SARAH PORTER
Samantha Paquet
Animal Care Supervisor
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Samantha has been responsible for the daily care of shelter animals, in addition to greeting visitors/clients and keeping the facility clean since late December of 2022. Samantha enjoys working towards making the pets that she cares for at LTBHS as comfortable and happy as possible while in our care. She is Fear Free Shelters Certified and has interests in going into professional pet grooming. At home, Samantha has two dogs, Roxy and Blue and two cats, Harry and Jar-Jar.
Melina McLennan
Danika Kibby
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Melina is responsible for grooming LTBHS animals and also provides professional grooming to the public. Melina has two dogs at home Loch & Maeve.
Groomer
Groomer
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Danika is responsible for providing grooming services for the public as well as the dogs and cats at LTBHS. Danika has always had a strong passion for animals, and has many of her own at home- 3 chihuahuas (Rio, Mary, Ripley), a cat (Leo), and a few other small pets. Not only is she a mom to her fur babies, Danika has two kids she's crazy about, Reese and Adelaide.
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Katy is responsible for the daily care of boarding and daycare animals, as well as welcoming visitors and clients, and maintaining the facility's cleanliness. In her free time, Katy enjoys playing video games, cleaning and baking. She has 3 rescues of her own!
Animal Care Attendant
Animal Care Attendant
katy stinson
KRISTINA PINES
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Kristina assists with providing daily care for all of the animals in boarding and grooming, including walking, cleaning, and feeding them. She has two dogs of her own, Nalah and Buddy, and enjoys going on walks and longboarding in her free time.
Veterinary Clinic Team
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Dr. Dumas graduated veterinary school at Michigan State University. Before starting vet school she worked as an adoption counselor at Michigan Humane Society and has been so happy to return to non-profit work with LTBHS. She is Fear-Free Certified and loves seeing so many adopted shelter animals come to the clinic for regular vet care having found their forever homes. Watching an often traumatized animal shed their fear, trust humans again and live their best lives is inspirational work. She lives in Petoskey with her husband, two kids, shih- poo “Seaweed” and cat “Luna”. Her favorite past-time is playing tennis which probably better qualifies as an addiction.
Associate Veterinarian
Associate Veterinarian
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Dr. Chamberlain recently moved to northern Michigan with her family after practicing for several years in mid Michigan. She received her Bachelor's degree in Animal Science at MSU within Lyman Briggs College and her DVM degree from Ontario Veterinary College.
She has special interests in feline medicine and behavior. She enjoys skiing, sailing, distance running and spending time with her husband and two young children. She has two cats named Watson and Echo.
Robert Zink
Makayla Burks
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Rob is responsible for assisting with all aspects of the clinic including surgery, x-ray, laboratory and ultrasound procedures in addition to general patient care. Rob is a cat lover himself and has several cats of his own at home.
Veterinary Assistant
Lead Veterinary Assistant
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Makayla is responsible for assisting with all aspects of the clinic including surgery, x-ray, laboratory and ultrasound procedures in addition to general patient care. Makayla has one dog of her own, Lincoln.
Gillian Smith
Samantha Bohon
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Gillian is originally from Connecticut and moved to Michigan for college, graduating from LSSU with a bachelor’s in Wildlife Management. She is currently enrolled in Ashworth College’s Veterinary Technician program to become a licensed Veterinary Technician. Gillian is responsible for assisting with all aspects of the clinic including surgery, x-ray, laboratory and ultrasound procedures in addition to general patient care. Gillian has one dog of her own, a purebred Golden Retriever named Cedar. Her hobbies include spending time with friends, being outdoors and crafting.
Veterinary Assistant
Front Desk Administrator
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Samantha is responsible for managing the clinic’s front office which includes greeting and checking in/out clients, in addition to managing appointments and various other duties. In her free time, Sam enjoys hiking and camping. She has a cat, Isabella.
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Renee is responsible for managing the clinic’s front office which includes greeting and checking in/out clients, in addition to managing appointments and various other duties. Renee’s hobbies include spending time with her husband and sons and being outdoors in the summer. She has two dogs, Star and Luna, and two cats, Cleo and Carlos.
Lead Clinic Administrator
Veterinary Assistant
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Malcolm is responsible for assisting with all aspects of the clinic including surgery, x-ray, laboratory and ultrasound procedures in addition to general patient care. He is currently attending school to become a licensed veterinary technician. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and going to the beach. He has two dogs, Mollie and Hershey.
Ashley Horvath
jenna cole
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Ashley is responsible for assisting with all aspects of the clinic including surgery, x-ray, laboratory and ultrasound procedures in addition to general patient care. In her spare time, she spend time with her own pets, Cersei, a five-year-old Staffordshire mix, and Miss Kitty, a six-year-old cat. She is also a mom to three non-furry children, and enjoys outdoor activities and spending time on the lake.
Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Assistant
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Jenna is responsible for assisting with all aspects of the clinic including surgery, x-ray, laboratory and ultrasound procedures in addition to general patient care. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with friends. She has a grumpy orange kitty of her own named Finn.
Friday Alward
Front Desk Administrator
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Friday is responsible for managing the clinic’s front office which includes greeting and checking in/out clients, in addition to managing appointments and various other duties. They have 3 cats, Roz, Bean, and Alvin, and enjoy painting, sketching, and doing all things artsy in their free time.
Abby Everingham
Veterinary Assistant
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Abby is responsible for assisting with all aspects of the clinic including surgery, x-ray, laboratory and ultrasound procedures in addition to general patient care. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, fishing, and going to horse shows. She has 2 horses, Josie and Tilly, a beagle named Betsy and a cat named Tiglet.
Dr. Deborah Andreen
Dr. Katie Zubricky
Lead Clinic Veterinarian
Associate Veterinarian
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Dr. Andreen has over 30 years’ experience in veterinary medicine. She resides in Harbor Springs with her husband, three children, cats Guinness, Clementine and Cookie, and dog, Briar. Her hobbies include fishing on the Great Lakes, skiing and spending time at their cabin in the Upper Peninsula.
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Dr. Zubricky is originally from Colorado and is a graduate of Colorado State University. In addition to her DVM degree, she also has a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences.
She is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and is an Elite Fear Free Certified Veterinarian. She has special interests in soft tissue surgery, oral health treatments, integrative medicine and the Human-Animal Bond.
Dr. Zubricky lives in Harbor Springs with her fiancé, Mike, their two dogs and two cats. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her pets, fishing, reading and crafting.
Dr. Laura Chamberlain
Dr. Kelly Dumas
