Dr. Morrison graduated from Michigan State University in 1981 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. He worked in a mixed animal practice in Wisconsin for 17 years before moving to Suttons Bay in 1997 and acquiring the Suttons Bay Animal Hospital. In January 2009, Dr. Morrison expanded his practice and purchased the Elk Rapids Animal Hospital. In his free time, he enjoys sailing, traveling and being a grandfather.

Dr. Starr graduated from Michigan State University in 2000 and has been a part of the Suttons Bay and Elk Rapids Animal Hospitals since September 2005. She enjoys relieving pain and discomfort of an animal, and helping restore the family relationship with the pet. Dr. Starr is particularly interested in Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM), laser therapy and nutrition. At home she has an English Creme Retriever named Esca, and a horse named Mickey. Gardening, horseback riding, and volunteering at the school are activities Dr. Starr enjoys outside of work. She also likes to spend time with her husband Jay and three children, Abraham, Jonah and Ari.

Dr. Schroeder graduated from Michigan State University in 2013 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, as well as a Masters of Public Health. After veterinary school, Dr. Schroeder worked in Tanzania on research aimed at reducing parasite infections in livestock and children. She began working at the Suttons Bay and Elk Rapids Animal Hospitals in February, 2016, and has a particular interest in exotics and internal medicine. Dr. Schroeder and her husband, Justin, have a full but happy house which includes: 3 dogs [Janey, Swift (both border collies), and Nimble (english shepherd)], 3 cats (Milo, Keppet, and Fang), and many chickens. In her spare time, you can find her with family (both human and furry), hiking, gardening, or painting.

Dr. Erin Shaw started working with the Elk Rapids and Suttons Bay Animal Hospitals in April of 2019. Dr. Shaw graduated from MSU’s veterinary school and, also has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. She has a cat of her own, named Freddie and started working with animals long before attending vet school, spending time with mixed animals and a dairy practitioner. We asked her what her favorite part of working with animals is and she responded, “working with their owners to create a team approach towards improving the health of not only individual animals but on a larger scale at a population level, that impacts the entire community.” When Dr. Shaw is not helping others with their pets, she enjoys doing anything outside. She especially likes to explore the hiking and biking trails as well as taking out her kayak on the small lakes and rivers in our area. She completed her first 50k trail run last summer on Grand Island in the Upper Peninsula. Dr. Shaw has a twin brother who lives in the Traverse area and an older brother who lives downstate.

Missi joined our team in 2008 and is our head licensed veterinary technician and has been working in veterinary medicine for 20 years. She is involved with many aspects of our hospital(s) and 2 years ago brought Canine Rehabilitation services to our clinics when she became certified through The University of Tennessee. She and her husband live in Benzie County and spoil their English Cream Retriever “Dilly”. When she isn’t working, you can find her anywhere outside in any kind of weather.

Shyla joined the Elk Rapids and Suttons Bay Animal Hospitals in April 2016. Shyla is a licensed veterinary technician with a degree from Baker College. She has always loved animals and has been surrounded by them her entire life. Shyla lives on a farm where she raises cattle, pigs and poultry. She enjoys playing with her dogs, Bandit who is an Australian Cattle dog, and Meatball, an English Bulldog. You can find Shyla working on the farm, riding horses, or playing roller derby for the Small Town Outlaws on her day off.

Kara started working at the Elk Rapids and Suttons Bay Animal Hospitals in September of 2018 as a Licensed Veterinary Technician, and has been working with animals as long as she can remember. She graduated from Baker College of Cadillac in 2015. In addition to her degree from Baker College, Kara has been educated as a “barkologist”, learning animal behavior and communication methods by working with an animal behaviorist and trainer. When Kara is not working she enjoys spending time with her family; fiancé Andrew, daughter Hadley, and step-son Jamison, along with pets Tasha- German Shepard and Pepe- Border Collie mix. Kara likes trying new things, practicing yoga, and being outside, especially when she gets out for hiking, ATVing and snowmobiling. She also likes traveling as much as possible and getting out to see the sites like Sleeping Bear Dunes and Tahquamenon Falls. When asked what she likes most about working with animals, Kara responded that she likes being the pets advocate. Being able to help take care of each pet as if they were her own, and watching the happy endings and progress of each case she works on.

Karena joined Suttons Bay and Elk Rapids Animal Hospitals in December 2014, working as a kennel and veterinary assistant. Currently Karena can be seen more often as receptionist and Dr. Starr's assistant. She has been working with animals for over 10 years and has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Grand Valley State University. Reading, baking, sewing, watching movies and going on outdoor adventures are what Karena enjoys doing in her free time. You can also find her playing with her cats, or working with her turkeys, ducks, and chickens. Karena’s favorite part about working with animals is “the human-animal relationship and helping to foster that bond through animal health as well as human education.”

Karen joined Elk Rapids and Suttons Bay Animal Hospital in May 2017. Karen has over 30 years of experience in the veterinary field. While attending Michigan State University she studied wild life biology as well as many continuing educational classes. When Karen is not hanging out with her husband Doug and her two sons you can find her reading, gardening, and spending time with their new dog. Karen's highlight of working with animals is seeing puppies and kittens come in and watching their growth and training over each wellness visit.

Elizabeth, started in June 2019 by helping our Suttons Bay hospital as a Kennel Assistant. In Elk Rapids, she helps out as a Veterinary Assistant. She attended Penn Foster’s Veterinary Assistant program and is a certified Veterinary Assistant. When she is not busy working, Elizabeth enjoys biking, swimming and spending time with her family. We asked her what she thought her favorite part of working with animals will be; she responded: “not only caring for the animals, but seeing the love on a client’s face for their pets and the relief that comes with helping an animal become well again.”

Rachel started working at the Elk Rapids and Suttons Bay Animal Hospitals in May of 2018 as a Veterinary Assistant. She attended Baker College and has an Associate in Applied Science- Veterinary Technology. When Rachel is not working, you can find her spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors, no matter what weather. One of her favorite things to do is play with her dogs; Maze, a German Shepherd/Pitbull/Husky mix, Misschief, a French Bulldog, and Donovan, her newest edition, who’s a American Bull/Pitbull/Boxer mix. Rachel also enjoys watching movies and baking. When asked what her favorite part of working with animals, her response was, “getting to know families and their pets of all breeds, ages, and sizes. Watching the young grow and the mature ones thrive, and all being successful in their forever homes. I enjoy playing a part in assisting families with maintaining their pet’s health and/or witnessing a client’s reaction when seeing their beloved pet’s health turn around with our help and treatment.”

Satonka, a receptionist, joined our team in April of 2012. She has been working with animals for the past 10 years, and also has an Associates is Science and Arts, a background in human medicine and was certified as a Nursing Assistant. Satonka and her companion Ben have an adorable daughter named Brooke and an handsome little boy named Oliver. They also have several animals, including one cat; "Chevy", 8 chickens and a Beagle mix name "Henry". When Satonka is not working she enjoys playing with Brooke and Oliver, camping, cooking, kayaking, listening to music and spending time with friends and family. When asked what her favorite part about working with animals is, Satonka replied “it is an incredible feeling to bring a smile to a face, or a wag to a tail, when a pet is doing better”

Cindy joined us in February 2016 as a receptionist. She has been an animal lover for quite some time. At home, Cindy has a 4 year old Lab/Pitbull mix named, Milo, and is Grandma to a Bichon Frise mix named Lainey. In her spare time, Cindy enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt and children, Ian and Lauren, and her grandson Easton! She can also be found outside with the dogs, or in the kitchen baking and cooking. Working with animals is great because they “lift your spirit and put a smile on your face.”

Leslee started working at the Elk Rapids Animal Hospital in September 2018 as part of our Reception team. She attended Southern State Community College and has a certification in Secretarial Procedures. Leslee enjoys reading, painting, scrapbooking and gardening. She and her husband, Mike, keep busy with their family. Eldest son, Wesley, is married to Serena and has grandson, Elijah. Mike and Leslee also have a daughter- Alayna and youngest son- Chase. Leslee has been working with animals all her life; she grew up on a farm in southern Ohio and currently has Cali- a German Shepherd. When Leslee was asked what’s most enjoyable about working with animals she responded “the love, peace and joy they give to me, as well as I gladly give to them.”

Sharon, a receptionist, joined our team in 1998. She has been working with animals since 1995, taking a couple of years off for her kids. Sharon loves spending time with her family human and furry she has two dogs C.J. and Bubba, a cat named Thor, and a goldfish named Elmo. When she is not working, she likes to do home renovation projects and woodworking. Sharon “loves everything about animals!”

Kim has been with the Suttons Bay and Elk Rapids Animal Hospitals since 1997. She graduated from Michigan State with a degree in business administration and is the practice manager at both hospitals. In her spare time, Kim enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and dog, Ruby.