Dan

LVT

Dan joined the Mancelona Veterinary Hospital team in 2023, as a licensed veterinary technician. He has been an LVT for 14 years. He completed his education at Baker College of Cadillac.

Dan prides himself in making sure that not only is the patient taken care of, but that their owners are as well. Listening to them and making them feel at ease with whatever may be going on is very important to him.

Outside of MVH, Dan enjoys hiking, kayaking, fishing, and reading. He enjoys walking the trails with his dog, Polar, as well as just being outdoors.

Bethany

LVT

Bethany has been a licensed veterinary technician since 2010, obtaining her degree from Baker College of Flint. She joined our team in 2023.
Bethany prides herself in practicing fear free techniques during patient care, as well as making sure all hospitalized patients are comfortable during their stay (by way of cuddle boxes, special diets, and attention).

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, kayaking, camping, and Nascar.

Morgan

Veterinary Assistant

Morgan joined the MVH team as a veterinary assistant in 2023. She prides herself in being a part of an animal’s health journey and making a difference in their lives and the lives of their family. She feels it is very rewarding seeing a patient come in needing our help and then seeing them get better.

Outside of MVH, she enjoys playing board games and card games with her friends and family.

Ashley

Veterinary Assistant

Ashley joined the MVH team in 2023, as a veterinary assistant. She is currently enrolled in a veterinary technology program to pursue her dream of becoming a licensed veterinary technician. Being able to provide the best care possible to all of our patients is what Ashley enjoys most about working at MVH.

Her spare time includes homeschooling her two children, while enjoying time with them and her husband. She also loves spending time with her two dogs and the rescued animals she helps. Other interests include working for Monster Truck shows in the summer months, as well as camping, hiking, and traveling.

Hannah

Veterinary Assistant

Hannah joined the MVH team in 2022 as a kennel attendant. Shortly after, she moved into the role of veterinary assistant. She is currently working hard to obtain her degree to become a licensed veterinary technician.

Hannah enjoys supporting our patients through their medical treatments, while advocating for those without a voice.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, experiencing new things, and sharing her time with her husky/shepherd mix, Athena.

Courtney

Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Attendant

Courtney has been a part of the MVH team since 2023. She began as a kennel attendant and soon after started working as a veterinary assistant as well. She is currently enrolled in a program through Penn Foster to obtain her degree as a licensed veterinary technician.
For Courtney, the best part of her job is meeting new people and pets. She prides herself in her calm and gentle demeanor and treats every pet like they were her own. Our patients and boarding guests are spoiled by Courtney!

In her spare time, Courtney enjoys going on adventures with her three kids, playing with her dog, and relaxing at home.

Abigail

Housekeeping

Abigail is a Mancelona local and joined our team in 2021. She has grown up around animals, big and small, so working with them just seemed to fit. She can often be found tidying up around the clinic and helping with whatever task is needed. Outside of MVH work, Abigail has work to do on her family farm. She has also been active in 4- H since middle school and her horse, Dixie, is her partner in training, having spent most of their lives together. Dance and art also occupies Abigail’s spare time.

Eileene

Receptionist

Eileene recently re-joined the MVH family after moving back home from college. She started out as a part-time kennel attendant, and now joins us at the front desk, where she enjoys greeting all the furry friends and faces each day. In her free time, Eileene enjoys painting and drawing, as well as taking her trusty companion, Capri the Frenchie, on adventures!

Kim

Receptionist

Kim joined the MVH team in the spring of 2022. She has been bringing her pets to the clinic for almost twenty years. Doctor Dale and the team have always been so knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly that when there was an opening, Kim couldn’t resist the chance to be a part of the staff. Her favorite part of the job, so far, is helping people help their fur babies. When there is life-changing news for the pet owners, she is happy to offer comfort and a listening ear. She looks forward to getting to know the clients of MVH by sight and snuggling as many of their pets as she appropriately can.

Kim goes home to her husband of 32 years and her Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Mackinaw. As a Northern Michigan native, she loves all the things that make our corner of the world so special; camping, hiking, gardening, water sports, and snow sports. Her favorite pastime though is not so active, it is curling up on the couch with a cup of something warm and a book.

Dr. Dale Ackler

DVM

Dr. Ackler received his training from Michigan State University and graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993.

He practiced in New York and Flint, MI before purchasing the Mancelona Veterinary Hospital in 1997. His wife, Tina, is a nurse. They have eight children who keep their family busy attending school functions and sporting events. He also has three dogs, three cats, and a flock of chickens.

His patients are predominately dogs and cats. He has also been known to see 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 got to work with everything from endangered turtles 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, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and horseback riding.

He is an active member of the Mancelona Rotary and the Mancelona School Board.

Dr. Brandy Spoor

DVM

Dr. Spoor knew she wanted to be a veterinarian since kindergarten! She joined MVH as a full-time veterinarian in May of 2021. She is originally from Elk Rapids, Michigan, but moved to Texas to pursue her undergraduate work at Texas A&M University. Dr. Spoor holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in equine studies. She attended veterinary school at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean, graduating in January of 2021. Dr. Spoor enjoys working with animals of all kinds, as well as visiting with their owners.

Outside of work, Dr. Spoor enjoys paddle boarding with her two island dogs, Dom and Gin. She can also be found spending time outdoors with her family.

Abigail

Kennel Attendant

Abigail is a Mancelona local and joined our team in 2021, as a kennel attendant. She has grown up around animals, big and small, so working with them just seemed to fit. She can often be found caring for our boarding friends and making them feel at home during their stay.

Outside of MVH work, Abigail has work to do on her family farm. She has also been active in 4-H since middle school and her horse, Dixie, is her partner in training, having spent most of their lives together. Dance and art also occupy Abigail’s spare time.

Alicia

LVT

Alicia grew up in West Michigan where, at age 13, she became involved with various equine activities. She participated in Open Shows and 4-H but found her true passion for dressage with her off-the-track thoroughbred named ‘Daring Adventure’.

In the fall of 2010, Alicia graduated from Michigan State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Technology. She found her career home in 2014, at the Mancelona Veterinary Hospital, after working 2 years in emergency medicine. Here you can find her directly involved in patient care, while running laboratory and diagnostic testing, as well as educating clients.

When she is not at work, Alicia enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, and daughter, Montana. She enjoys being involved in her daughter’s horse showings and 4-H. As a family, they delight in traveling to new places and enjoy an annual fishing trip to Canada. Alicia and her family share their home with two cats, Sampson and Vern.

Alisha

Receptionist

Alisha is a northern Michigan native. She has been a wonderful addition to our front desk team since 2020. She prides herself on being a proficient, reliable, and knowledgeable team member. She works at the fastest possible pace to answer client questions and deliver on the needs of our patients. She is usually the friendly face of our front desk, eager to greet all of our pet families!

Outside of MVH, Alisha’s family is her number one priority. She is a mom to four busy boys, who keep her on her toes. She enjoys going to sporting events and is one of the loudest parents in the stands cheering on her kids. She also enjoys kayaking, horseback riding, camping, hiking, and fishing, as well as snowshoeing in the winter months.

Brittany

Office Manager

Brittany joined MVH in 2002, while still in high school. She offered to volunteer at Mancelona Veterinary Hospital because of her love for animals. She knew she wanted to work with them in one way or another. Shortly after, she began working with Dr. Dale as a kennel attendant/veterinary assistant and there isn’t much around the clinic she hasn’t done since. She is one of the most versatile employees. She is most often found in her office doing ‘behind the scenes’ jobs, but can still be found at the front desk or answering phones throughout the day. She also enjoys assisting with pet treatments when needed. She says the best part of her job is befriending the dogs and cats and their families that come to us. The relationships she builds with the patients and their families is something she values.

Outside of the hospital, Brittany can be found spending time with her family. She is most often enjoying her time at school functions and sporting events with her husband, James, and their four young children. Besides the two-legged children, she has many four-legged babies, as well. Her fur kids include her kitties, Nemo, Milo, Leo, Pepper, and Simon, her two dogs, Percy and Dodge, and Franklin, her red-eared slider turtle. She sums up her life as crazy and busy, but wouldn’t have it any other way!

Chelsea

LVT

Chelsea joined the Mancelona Veterinary Hospital team in December 2017 after moving to the area from her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

She began volunteering at an animal clinic in 2006 and found her passion in life. She ended up working there for over 9 years before adventuring south. She is very compassionate to all types of animals and loves them like they are one of her own! She graduated from Penn Foster College with her Associate’s Degree of Applied Science and became licensed in the fall of 2016.

When Chelsea is not working, she likes to spend time with her fiance, Kyle, and cuddle with her fur children. She has two chihuahuas, Mazie and Brody, and two cats, Mario and Princess Peach. Chelsea enjoys camping, horseback riding, fishing, playing cards, scrapbooking, and spending time with family.

Dori

Office Cat

Dori is another clinic cat at MVH. She came to us in 2019, as a baby found on the side of the highway with a fish hook stuck in her paw. She was the sweetest thing and melted our hearts. She is shy and frightened of new people, but once she warms up to you, she can’t get enough attention. She is the best cuddle buddy and can often be found snuggling in our break room or creating mischief in one of the offices in the building.

Gilbert

Office Pig

Gilbert is a miniature pig who was born in August 2015. He loves to snack and rummage. Every day is a new adventure as we watch him grow and learn. During the spring, summer, and fall, he can often be found outside in his play yard. During the winter, he prefers to snuggle inside under his blankets.

Graycee

Office Cat

Graycee is one of two MVH clinic cats. This little girl is a bit more reserved. She prefers to watch from a distance. She loves to stalk the birds outside at the feeder and play hide and seek with us at closing time. Her favorite pastime is lounging on her cat tower, soaking up the sunshine!

Holly

Receptionist

Holly joined the MVH team in 2011 and has been a wonderful addition to our work family. When needed she has helped out in many areas of the clinic, but can typically be found handling important duties as one of our receptionists.

Working at the front desk for many years has given her the opportunity to know and recognize many faces, including the furry ones! She strives to make everyone she interacts with feel important and that they are her only focus at that moment (even though, she may have many different things going on at the front desk). She wants to be a familiar voice and face for our clients and their families to rely on.

When not working, Holly’s husband and four children, along with their many animals, keep her busy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside gardening and raising Monarch Butterflies. She finds sitting by the water, listening to the sounds of nature, and absorbing the sunshine most relaxing. She also enjoys arts and crafts and volunteering at Michael’s Place, where she can utilize one of her many crafting skills.

Maureen

Receptionist

Maureen joined the MVH family in 2017. Her favorite part about working at MVH is experiencing the bond and love that people have for their pets.

In her spare time, she keeps busy volunteering and watching her two boys’ sporting events. She also enjoys long walks in the woods with her loyal companions, Butch and Raven.

Megan

Receptionist

Born and raised in Antrim County, Megan Lee joined our team in October of 2016, after returning home from a 12-year stay in sunny Florida.

A self-proclaimed ‘Career Receptionist,’ she can often be found in her natural habitat -The Front Desk -right here at MVH. She prides herself in delivering exceptional customer service to our beloved clients. Megan Lee equally enjoys greeting our clientele in person and on the phone, and has thrived in our fun, busy, exciting environment!

When she’s not doing her favorite job, Megan Lee enjoys going for walks at local nature trails, kayaking, and archery. She is a novice author and aspiring voice artist. Her favorite pastime is being a cat mom to her 3-year-old mini panther, Archer T. Goodcat.

Nicolle

Veterinary Assistant

Nicolle is a northern Michigan native, graduating from Gaylord High School. She joined MVH as a grooming assistant in 2019, after years of staying home with her three young daughters. When they began school full time, she wanted to pursue her dream of working with animals. She can now be found as a veterinary assistant, often greeting our patients and their families at the start of their appointment.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her girls and husband. Nicolle never has a dull moment, as she has a mini-farm of her own to run at home, as well as caring for her 6 dogs and 2 cats. Her favorite part of working at MVH is getting a chance to meet all of our patients.

Nikki

Veterinary Assistant

Nikki has dreamed of working with animals for a long time. When she was given the opportunity to join MVH as a veterinary assistant in 2021, she didn’t hesitate. She jumped right in, while still studying to become a licensed veterinary technician through Penn Foster. She loves being able to play and work around fur babies all day!

When not working at MVH, Nikki enjoys drawing, reading, and playing video games. She shares her home with her three cuddly cats, Binx, Lucian, and Ashes.

Taylor

Veterinary Assistant

Taylor has been a veterinary assistant at MVH since early 2021. She has always been interested in working in veterinary medicine, and is planning on pursuing a degree in Veterinary Technology!

Her favorite part about working at MVH is gaining hands-on experience and interacting with patients and their families.