Our Staff

Dale Ackler, DVM - received his training from Michigan State and has been a veterinarian for 14 years. He practiced in the state of New York and Flint, MI before purchasing the Mancelona Veterinary Hospital in 1997. He and his wife, Erin have three children; Trevor 12, Haley 10, and Seth 6, who keep their family busy attending school functions, sporting events and dance recitals.

His patients are predominately dogs and cats but he also sees guinea pigs, hamsters, iguanas, turtles and rabbits. He will work on the occasional deer fawn, wild bird or other wildlife in need. During Veterinary School he had the opportunity to live at and assist the veterinarians at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. While there he had the opportunity to work with everything from venomous snakes to gorillas. He also assisted in a program that rehabilitated injured bald eagles.

Other than a love for animals, Dr. Dale has a fondness for the outdoors and enjoys such activities as camping, back packing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and horseback riding.

He is an active member of the Mancelona Rotary, Mancelona Education Foundation and the Friends of the Jordan Valley Fish Hatchery.


Erin Ackler - is a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She has experience working at regular veterinary hospitals as well as at the Flint Emergency Veterinary Hospital. She worked in Mancelona with Dr. Dale for six years before “retiring” to be a full-time mother to their three children. They hope to travel to China within the year to bring home a new daughter.

Erin still fills in for other employees and procures supplies for the clinic. Erin spends a lot of her ‘free time’ volunteering at the children’s’ schools.

Their family also includes 2 horses, 3 goats, 5 dogs, 3 cats, 3 guinea pigs, finches and birds, 1 snake, 1 rabbit and various geese, ducks, chickens and guinea hens. You can see they are true animal lovers.


Lynn Elges, Office Manager - has been working at the clinic since September of 2002. She is a former Dental Assistant from the University of Detroit, has worked in Guest Services in a mall, is a former marketing assistant and also did a short stint doing data conversion at a wholesale nursery (a lot a of Latin names of plants).

Her critter family includes Mya (her German Shepherd), Killer, Cayla, and Dewey her cats, Jones the Cockatiel, and several tropical fish. She enjoys northern MI summers and spends her weekends gardening, boating, and fishing.


Wyndy Coger, Licensed Veterinary Technician - has been a welcome addition to MVH since early 2006. As a trained technician she helps with client education, radiology, dentals and any other way she can assist Dr. Ackler and the rest of the staff. While computers are not her favorite item, she is learning how to assist customers in that area also. While interning in Northern California she did field work with endangered raptors.

A local girl, Wyndy has family in the area and spends a lot of her free time with them. She loves to go back- packing and kayaking. She also enjoys painting.


Brittany Stoudt - has been working with Dr. Dale for over 5 years and there isn’t much around the clinic she hasn’t done. She is likely the most versatile employee as she works at the front desk, assists in treatment and surgery areas, frequently helps with after hour emergencies, helps care for the boarding pets and even does janitorial duties when needed. She says the best part of her job is holding and befriending the dogs and cats that are here. She helps them adjust to boarding and eases their nervousness when here for treatment. Brittany tries to make everyone feel welcome and valued.

Brittany’s animal population includes her kitties Nemo and Milo, and Oscar her puppy, which keeps her on her toes constantly. Last, but not least, is Franklin her red-eared slider turtle. Originally from Pennsylvania, Brittany moved to Mancelona eight years ago. In her spare time she enjoys visiting with her parents and three younger sisters.


Jody Hine, Vet Assistant - Busy studying to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician, managing a home with her husband of 15 years, two children- Chris 13 and Breahna 10, and 5 golden retrievers makes Jody a busy person.

As an assistant she feels her goal is to be available and knowledgeable about any procedure the doctor needs her for. She will often work with clients at the initial stage of an appointment. After working at another facility as an assistant for three years, Jody has been with us at Mancelona Veterinary Hospital for about 18 months.


Sigrid Westerhof, Vet Assistant - A very busy mom of two children, Sigrid is here three days a week and is always willing to help other times when needed. Living on 15 acres with 4 dogs, 5 cats, a hamster, goldfish, 1 conure, chickens, geese, rabbits, a goat, 2 horses and a pony definitely keeps her busy.

With her life-long fascination with animals, she is well suited to assist with pre and post surgical procedures, cleaning and caring of patients staying here and many other required tasks.

Hobbies are reading, pet maintenance and gardening. Sigrid is responsible for the beautiful flowers you see around the hospital during the summer.


Randi Squires, Groomer - (aka “The Miracle Worker”) Randi has been grooming dogs for seven years. It takes someone with special patience and understanding of pets to be a good groomer. Her schedule is usually booked up two weeks in advance which is a good indicator of how the owners appreciate the fine job she does. She finds it very rewarding, with the dogs unconditional love and big sloppy kisses on the face.

In addition to grooming, Randi has worked as a vet assistant for her brother, Dr. Dale. She is still called upon to assist when needed – even with late night emergencies.

Randi lives in Mancelona with her three children: Ashley – 19, B. J. – 16, and Aaron - 14. They share their home with 3 dogs and a parrot.


Bobbi Richardson, Receptionist - a life long resident of the western USA, she loves living on a small lake in Northern Michigan with her husband, three Shih Tzu dogs and one cockatoo that will out-live all of them. Her son and family live 5 minutes from her and she travels out west to see her daughter.

Bobbi has been working at MVH for two years now. She brings seven years of animal care experience after managing a very large boarding facility in New Mexico. Greeting all the wonderful pets and helping their anxious owners is very important to her.


Sandy Schmidt, Receptionist - after working as a receptionist in a medical practice for seven years, Sandy was a natural here at the clinic with our many pets and owners. She enjoys working with the public and especially their pets since joining our staff nearly a year ago.

Mother to Alysia 14, Josiah 11, Jessica 8, and Nathan 5, Sandy is busy with all of their activities. The family enjoys the wooded area around their home and the park nearby. They have two husky mix dogs and recently acquired a dog sled with hopes of training everyone to use it.


Kendra Landry, Receptionist - Before moving to Mancelona nine years ago, Kendra lived in Rhode Island, Virginia, California, Florida and Pennsylvania. We are glad she settled here and joined our staff last year. Kendra greets customers and their pets, makes appointments, fills prescriptions and completes many other duties of a good receptionist. She is always willing to assist with any questions you may have.

Off-duty time is used to assist her husband in his ministry, raise the 3 children still at home and care for their 2 dogs, cat, rabbits and fish. Her son Justin is serving in the military.


Bridget O’Donnell, Kennel Attendant - Living on a farm nearby, Bridget is a natural to care for pets. There is a lot to making your dogs and cats comfortable, happy and healthy while staying with us and Bridget is very good at it. She is always looking for more information and new ways to help. She has been very valuable, cleaning everywhere and everything at the hospital.

Recently graduated from Mancelona High School, Bridget fills some of her time with being a 4-H member and teaching Sunday school at church. Of course caring for five dogs, a cat, a horse and 20 rabbits keeps her pretty busy too.


Office Pets Oliver and Hawk

Hawk the Zebra Striped Finch has been over-seeing the comings and goings at the Clinic for quite some time now. After having rejected the company of other finches in favor of human companionship, Hawk has earned a special place in our hearts.

Oliver the cockatiel was seen flying loose and landed in a kind person’s barn about 2 years ago and was brought to us until we could find the owner or a new home for him. No owner ever came looking, but the little guy won us all over and has a permanent place here greeting clients and patients alike.