MEET THE OWNERS
Jack and Julie Hertel
Julie and I were reunited 35 years after we dated in High school. Our relationship has been an endless adventure. Julie shares that life with me has been an endless whirlwind of activity. We have spent the better part of the last decade building an environment at M20 Animal Hospital that supports providing exceptional animal care to the community. We have experienced exponential growth at the animal hospital, Covid 19 and a new building for the practice. These challenges helped us grow together and bond even closer with our team. We believe having a fun place to work that treats employees and clients as family empowers the staff to focus on providing the best medical care.
We enjoy living with our daughter, son in law and grandson. Pixie, our cat, is the queen of our household. We realize the true purpose of our lives is to serve her!
MEET OUR DOCTORS
Tessa Peterson, D.V.M
Dr. Peterson grew up in Colorado and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus in Minnesota in 2001 with her bachelor’s degree and from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Dr. Peterson joined the practice at M-20 Animal Hospital part time in 2009. She has special interests in internal medicine, surgery, ultrasounds, and pocket pets. When not working, she enjoys reading, painting, baking, and spending time with her husband, two sons and their dogs. As a family they enjoy hiking, camping, biking, and traveling to visit family and friends in the US and abroad.
Megan Tomich, D.V.M
Dr. Tomich grew up in Rural Southeast Ohio, and is a 2004 graduate of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, she worked at a mixed animal practice near her hometown for a few years before moving to Michigan with her family. Dr. Tomich has a special interest in surgery, emergency, ultrasound, and preventative medicine. She resides in Midland with her husband and their four children. Their pet family includes cats, chickens, and two dogs Molly and Rosie. In her spare time, she enjoys boating, gardening, reading, traveling, and attending her children’s various activities.
Gary Bailor, D.V.M.
Dr. Bailor graduated from Michigan State University in 1964. After graduating he took his first job in Royal Oak. He then moved to Bay City, MI and became a partner at Bay Animal Hospital for over 30 years. Dr. Bailor joined M20 Animal Hospital in 2019 and has become an asset to the hospital. In his downtime he enjoys fishing, hunting, going for walks, and spending time with his family.
Kayla Wade, D.V.M.
Meet Dr. Kayla Wade, veterinarian who has been making tails wag with her expert care since 2018. She graduated with her veterinary degree for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and moved to Midland immediately after to put her skills to work. When she’s not caring for her patients, she can be found at her home with her devoted husband, rambunctious son, and their menagerie of pets (including two dogs and five cats). Whether you have a playful pup or a cuddly cat, Dr. Wade will go above and beyond to ensure that your furry friend is happy and healthy.
Maddy, D.V.M.
Dr. Maddy grew up in Swartz Creek, Michigan and graduated from Swartz Creek High School in 2014. She attended University of Michigan-Flint for her undergraduate degree in Biology through the honor’s program, where she participated in veterinary centered research, worked at a small animal hospital as an assistant, and ran tutoring sessions. Dr. Maddy graduated from undergraduate and started her veterinary schooling in 2018. During veterinary school, she was the American Kennel Club representative, a tutor for underclassmen, and worked in the emergency department part time. She graduated in May of 2022 from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Maddy has special interests in honeybee medicine, feline medicine, and client education. In her free time, she likes to garden, crochet, cook, and play video and board games. She lives in Midland, Michigan with her husband, Trevor, her dog, Wilson, and her four cats, Marty, Marcus, Erwin and Pancakes.
MEET OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Sarah Gushow, L.V.T. and Medical Manager
Sarah graduated from Baker College in 2009, she joined our M20 Animal Hospital team in 2011. She is a seasoned licensed veterinary technician and manager, with experience in emergency medicine, critical care and general practice. Sarah loves the thrill of challenging and complex cases and is passionate about coaching, mentoring, and practicing best medicine. When Sarah is not working hard at M20, she is spending time outdoors with her two children, Carter and Lauren, her husband Craig, her Standard Poodle Charlie, yellow lab Will, and her three cats, Gus Gus, Tangy and Billy Bob.
Nicole Richardson, Front office Manager
Nicole Joined our team in 2019. She has man years of customer service and clerical skills. She enjoys spending time with her husband Shawn and son Ryan and extended family. In her downtime Nicole enjoys organizing, playing board games and doing projects.
MEET OUR LICENSED TECHNICIANS
Caitlyn McGinnis L.V.T.
Caitlyn joined us during her externship, and then graduated from Baker College in 2021. We saw how she would be an asset to our team and immediately hired her. She looks forward to a long career in vet med. When she’s not at work she is relaxing at home, reading a book with her two cats (Mocha and Stitch) and dog (Cinder).
Amanda Misenhelder L.V.T.
Amanda joined us in 2023. She is a graduate of Baker College with her Associate in Applied Science in 2021 and then passed boards to receive her Veterinary Technician License. She grew up immersed in 4H showing feeder steers, and rabbits, and assisting with chickens. Has experience in emergency med including working overnights, enjoying the variety of cases, and helping others heal. She has 2 dogs, a Border Collie named Ace, and a German Shepard Beau. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys playing with her dogs and her favorite goat Murphy. She also enjoys traveling and seeing the world, when she is not deep in a book.
MEET OUR VETERINARY ASSISTANTS
Justina Ellis
Justina has been in the veterinary field since 1998. She joined the M20 family in 2018. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, camping, boating in the Upper Peninsula and spending time with her family.
Brittny Rounds
Brittny has been in the veterinary field for 9 years. Of those 9 years 8 have been part of the M20 family. She started as a kennel staff and moved her way to becoming an assistant. When not taking care of patients at the clinic she is taking care of people’s pets while they are on vacation or at home with her own pack of animals. In her free time, she is usually doing things with family and friends. In the summer she does a lot of camping in Michigan with her dogs.
Janelle Gallier
Janelle has been with the M20 family since 2018. She started out as one of our kennel staff and moved to an assistant in 2021. She has enjoyed the experience of working with adorable cats and dogs. In her spare time she enjoys watching tv, playing video games with her boyfriend at home and visiting her little brother.
Maddie Maggert
Maddie started at M20 in 2020 right after high school. She has played a dual role as an assistant and receptionist. She is currently in school pursuing a degree in Veterinary Technology. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and her cat Paco.
Jessie Gage
Jessie was born and raised in the Saginaw area. Her love for animals started at a young age. Her family had 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a horse. She has a toddler at home that keeps her and her husband busy. You can usually find them camping, enjoying the outdoors, or watching a sport.
Sarah Armstrong
I did not start out in vet med as I graduated from MSU with B.S. in Natural Resources and then later in life I was a nurse. Over the years I’ve been drawn back to vet med time and again by my love of animals and desire to advocate for them. I have now been in the veterinary field for 18 years total. My job is my passion and I have been blessed with being able to help pet owners take care of their babies whether that is in the ICU on emergency or helping educate a new puppy or kitten owner. When I’m not at work I enjoy riding my horses, hiking, making art and spending time with my 3 dogs and husband.
Katie Job
Since day 1, Katie knew she wanted to work with animals one way or another. She has been in the veterinary field since 2018. She started at M20 in May of 2023, and has loved every step to get to where she is. When she isn’t at work, she is probably at home trying a new recipe, spoiling her two cats, Lelo and Lila or trying to plan where her next vacation is going to be.
Renna Brown
In my tennis shoes, I am a veterinary assistant with the best team advocating for animals. In my boots, I travel the Midwest working in equine entertainment bringing fairytales to life. I live and breathe large and small animal health and training from dogs and cats to Zebras and camels and especially horses.
Christie Way
I knew I wanted to be in the veterinary field at a young age when i would steal the first aid kit and help my stuff animals recover from their fake injuries.
I graduated from Delta College with an Associate in Science in 2021, which is one step closer to completing my goal of becoming a LVT.
When i’m not a working, I’m either home hanging out with my 4 dogs and 2 cats or traveling to new places with my husband.
MEET OUR RECEPTIONISTS
Melissa Harper
Melissa joined the M20 family in 2016. She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Jake and their newly adopted fur baby Lenny (Leonard). Melissa’s hobbies are cooking, watching true story documentaries, and movies. In her free time, she loves getting together with friends and family. Melissa always says, “this is her dream job”.
Bethany Johnson
Beth has been with M20 since 2020. She joined us during the bustle of Covid. She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Rob and daughter Maci. She also enjoys going to the racetrack to watch her brother race, going to concerts and spending time with extended family.
Marnie Seefeld
Marnie joined the M20 family in 2021. She has brought her years of customer service skills. She enjoys gardening, cooking, bike riding, and home projects, spending time with family, and family dog Lucas. She also enjoys watching her kids Mason, Emma, and Bella’s sporting events with her boyfriend Joe.
Kaya McGinnis
Love spending time with our dogs (Millie, Mila) and my girlfriend. Taking the dogs on walks and we take them to the beach in the summertime. Also love my 3 cats that my sister takes care of. (Mocha, Stitch, Rory).
Heather Kerr
Always had a love for all animals. So happy to be able to work with them.
Special love for senior pets and guinea pigs.
Enjoys true crime documentaries, crafting/arts, spending time with my husband Josh and 2 nieces.
Dog jasper, cat Pazuzu, and 4 guinea pigs Gertie, Harriet, margot and Winnie keep me busy.
MEET OUR CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE STAFF
Jake Loose (aka Janitor Jake)
Jake joined the M20 family in 2022. He is hardworking with a positive attitude. Jake enjoys his time with his girlfriend Melissa (receptionist) and their dog Lenny. He also enjoys traveling to Missouri to visit his mom and daughter Kaylee. Jakes favorite things are sweets, sweets and more sweets!
Sabrina Garcia
Sabrina joined the M20 family in 2022. She has brought a great deal of cleaning knowledge that we appreciate here. When she isn’t making sure our building is clean and sanitized, she enjoys her time spent with her two young boys and family, as well as her two dogs Icy and Stella.
Shawn Richardson
Shawn fixes everything we break at M20. He has years of experience in construction, manufacturing, and automotive repair. He thought being married to Nicole (manager) would make this job easy, but she is a slave driver and keeps him happy. Shawn enjoys spending time with his family.
Madi
Madi has been with M-20 since 2019 and has worked with us on breaks from college. She began veterinary school at Michigan State University in 2021 and will graduate with her doctorate in the Spring of 2025. In her limited free time she enjoys riding her quarter horses, spending time with her dog, Bo, and traveling the world.