Dr. Happel graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. After graduation, she practiced small animal medicine in a 3 doctor practice in Muskegon for 2 years and then worked in an 8 doctor practice in Grand Rapids for 6 years. In 2010 she decided to open her own practice and Eastown Veterinary Clinic was born June 1st, 2011. Dr. Happel’s special interest within the field of veterinary medicine is veterinary dentistry. She has done hundreds of hours of additional training to learn why dental health is so important and how to perform specialized procedures. Dr. Happel volunteers on the Eastown Business Association Board and the Uptown Business Improvement District Board. When she is not busy being a doctor or business owner, she loves to chase around her two young boys, cuddle with her dogs, cat, and husband, participate in CrossFit and read a good book.

Dr. Tittle attended Calvin College for a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Immediately after graduating from Calvin, she went to Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and obtained a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. During her time as a student at Michigan State, she also worked in the Orthopedics department for 2 years. Once graduated, she worked at Richland Animal Hospital for almost 2 years before joining Eastown Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Tittle loves the day to day challenges that veterinary medicine provides and she is also very passionate about surgery. Being a part of building and facilitating the health and bond between owners and their pets has been a dream of hers since she was 9 years old. When not at work she lives with her husband Ryan, dogs Ellie and Rylee, and her cat, Sheldon. Dr. Tittle also enjoys time at the barn working with her horse Lyon and competing in 3-day eventing.

Dr. Brockman is excited to call Grand Rapids her new home! She is originally from Chicago but has traveled back and forth across the country for school and training. She originally went to school for chemistry and physics before transitioning careers to become a veterinarian. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Physics from Northern Michigan University and then a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. While working at a veterinary clinic in Berkeley, California, Dr. Brockman decided to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She returned home to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where she completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

After veterinary school, Dr. Brockman pursued advanced training by completing a small animal internship at a 24-hour veterinary emergency and specialty center in the Chicago suburbs. She then practiced emergency medicine for several years at a busy veterinary emergency and specialty center in Milwaukee. Dr. Brockman is very excited to start her new veterinary adventure in Grand Rapids and become part of the Eastown community!

Outside of work, Dr. Brockman enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, biking (road, mountain, fat tire), camping, running (road and trail), and playing with her dog at the park. She has two cats that like to lay in the sun in her back yard and a Brazilian Rainbow Boa Constrictor at home.

Affiliations:

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
• International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
• Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
• Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium

“I have always enjoyed the sciences and solving problems. Veterinary medicine gives me the opportunity to blend science and compassion by helping animals and people.”

Veterinary medicine has always been a part of Dr. Swayman’s life. Both her grandfather and father were veterinarians. She has fond memories of “helping” at her dad’s clinic and riding in his truck to numerous farm-calls as a child.

After studying engineering at Purdue University for undergrad, she attended MSU (following in her father’s footsteps) and graduated in 2008 with her DVM. She has been practicing small animal medicine since.

Dr. Swayman started at EVC in February of 2020. She loves connecting with clients and helping ensure a long, happy life with their beloved pets. Meeting a new puppy or kitten with their new family and getting to follow that pet and their family as they grow and bond together through the years is priceless!

At home she has 1 dog, Rue who is a 6 year old Rat Terrier who she and her family adopted about 3 years ago. Rue is sweet and snuggly and likes to bark at anything that moves – in true terrier fashion!

Outside of work, she loves spending time with her 2 kids, Ella (11) and Ryan (9) and her husband, Keith. They play lots of games together, travel for soccer and flag football games and enjoy time at their family cottage in Northern Michigan. She is an avid reader, loves to run and hike, and is working on improving her French!

I was born an “Army brat.” Both parents were enlisted in the United States Army and stationed at the Fort Sill Army Base in Oklahoma. I was primarily raised in Michigan, though. I have always had a love of animals, but my family wasn’t able to afford a cat or dog. So I had gerbils for the most part until I got a barn kitten while on a family vacation in Pennsylvania and I guess you can say it was all “up-hill” from there.

I obtained my Bachelor of Science Degree in Veterinary Technology from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Technology Program and received my license as a veterinary technologist in May 2012. I have been working in the veterinary field for over 10 years. I have a strong interest and passion for equine medicine, small animal dentistry, and feline health/medicine.

After graduation, I took a position at a large equine facility in Lexington, Kentucky as their Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technician; performing numerous MRIs on anesthetized equine (horse) patients. I loved being able to produce images that could explain to owners the cause of lameness in their equine (speaking from experience with lameness issues in my own horse). However, I missed my family, farm, and just plain Michigan; everything was calling me back. After returning to Michigan, I obtained a position with Eastown Veterinary Clinic. The moment I walked through the doors for my interview I knew this was the place I wanted and needed to be.

I currently live in Six Lakes on my farm with my eight feline friends (Tilly, Zerconi, Lil Dude, Nubbs, Battie, Tori, Dusty, and Tooger), one horse (Sweetie Pie), several chickens, ducks, and a swan. ALL of them have a story to tell, especially my feline family who are all rescued.

Future aspirations include becoming specialized in dentistry and working in feline rescue. In my spare time, I like to garden, ride horses, tinker around with numerous artistic endeavors, and just hang with my friends and best friend (mom) around the farm doing the normal chores.

Proud to have been born and raised here in Grand Rapids! I graduated from Michigan State University in the spring of 2014 earning my bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology. I was hired at Eastown Veterinary Clinic in the fall of 2014. I’m a licensed veterinary technician and also the inventory manager for the practice. I love my job because it is different every single day! My co-workers, patients, and clients make each day enjoyable no matter what the day may bring. We are so lucky to have clients who support and appreciate the gold standard of care we strive to provide to our patients.

When I’m not at work you can find me spending time with my husband, our little girl, and our fur children; Rookie, Nemo, and our purrty cat Callie. When I have a quiet moment to myself I enjoy reading, writing, and indulging in Netflix marathons. My most recent hobby has been experimenting with cooking! I look forward to many more memories with my EVC team!

I grew up in the small town of Cedar Springs, Michigan. Growing up in the country we have always had dogs around us, in fact, I don’t think there was a single time that we didn’t have a dog in our home. I have always had a strong passion for animals and love being around them all the time. My boyfriend and I currently have three dogs and one cat. We have a crazy Belgian Malinois, a cuddly Labrador, a sassy Maltipoo, and a shorthair cat who thinks she’s one of the dogs!

I graduated in 2015 with my Associate’s degree in Business Administration and decided this winter that I wanted to go back to school. I am currently working towards my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and will be starting at Grand Valley State University in the fall.

I always knew growing up that I wanted to work somewhere that I could be around animals every day. I started working in the veterinary field in 2015 as a veterinary assistant in a small veterinary hospital in Cedar Springs. Over the past years, I have been grateful for all of the experience and knowledge that I have gained and love applying that to my work here at Eastown Veterinary Clinic. I love interacting with all of the great clients and their amazing pets here at EVC. I look forward to seeing all the different dogs and cats each day that I come into work!

Melissa joined the Eastown team as a Client Service Representative in July 2020. Her favorite part about her job is helping people take care of their fur babies! She has two dogs—a German Shepherd named Reese and a Pomeranian named Mr. Rodgers—and a cat named Sophie. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys doing anything outdoors, especially rock clibming and hiking, with her husband.

Hello! My name’s Allison, and I’m a graduate of Aquinas College as of May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. I have worked with animals for the past few years from a variety of perspectives, ranging from assisting with doggy daycare all the way to interning within the urgent care unit of another animal hospital in Grand Rapids. I have one fur baby of my own who is pictured above, an 11-year-old Alaskan Malamute Hound mix named JJ. I’m excited to help bring the same level of compassion and integrity to your pet’s care that I provide him with on a daily basis. If you’re looking for a family-oriented clinic dedicated to preserving every precious moment with your four-legged companion, welcome home!

Hello! When I was a kid growing up here in Grand Rapids, I always wanted to work with animals in the future. We always had a house full of dogs, cats, birds, and fish. In high school, I helped take care of the birds and reptiles that called the school home. It wasn’t until I started working at Eastown Veterinary Clinic that I found where my heart was happiest. I love coming to work every day and getting to know the patients and their owners. Unfortunately, I do not have any pets of my own at the moment but frequently dog/cat sit for my parents and other family members. If I’m not working or hanging out with my family’s pets, you can usually find me “nerding” out by reading, playing video games, or binge-watching my newest tv addiction!

Hi there, I’m Aubrey! I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI, and have always had a huge passion for animals. Growing up, my sister and I loved being able to feed and help any injured or lost critters in our neighborhood. That passion led to volunteering at John Ball Zoo and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on and off the last ten years. I earned my BA in English and minor in business management from Maynooth University in Ireland, where I was able to focus on my other passions of writing and travel. Once I returned home to my roots, I found that my love of animals was something I wanted to spend my life cultivating.

While I study to earn my certification in wildlife rehabilitation, animal training, and exotic animal training, Eastown has allowed me plenty of hands-on experience. I love the passion our doctors and staff have for giving the best care possible to our patients, as well as educating owners and the community in preventative care. I enjoy nothing more than spending my days at work snuggling and caring for our patients, then heading home to spend time with my own pets (a cat, six birds, and a rabbit!). Rest assured your pets are in the best hands possible, getting the same quality care we all expect for our own fur-babies!

This is my first time working in veterinary medicine! My educational background is in human health care, but I have always had an interest in working with animals. I am excited to finally have an opportunity to explore this field! I am most excited about getting to interact with the animals and make a difference in the lives of them and their owners.

I have a black and white American Cocker Spaniel named Dusty. She is turning 13 in December, so she is a little old lady. Dusty is the family dog that I grew up with and she still lives at my parents’ house, so I try to visit her often!! Fun facts: she is super fuzzy and takes forever to dry after baths, she is VERY sassy which I love, she is great at learning tricks (roll over and play dead among others!), and she loves the wind and chasing leaves.

I love spending time outside. I am big into running, but I supplement this with biking and yoga, and when the opportunity arises kayaking, hiking, and skiing! I enjoy listening to music and singing along loudly. Sometimes I play my guitar while I sing loudly as well! Since graduating from college about a year ago, I have rediscovered an enjoyment of reading and typically like biographies and non-fiction (fun non-fiction though lol). I also enjoy trying out new restaurants, eating in general, and petting my dog.

I have been grooming professionally since 2005. I graduated from the Paragon School of Pet Grooming in Spring 2005. I have since worked in a few different grooming environments but am happy to make Eastown Veterinary Clinic my home! I love working as part of a team where each pet is given the best care! In the winter of 2013, I returned to Paragon School of Pet Grooming to continue my education with a 120 hour “advanced skills” course. My aim is to provide the best grooming experience possible for both the pet and the pet parent.

I share my Eastown home with my husband, Mike. Until very recently our home was graced with the presence of a 17-year-old lab mix named Tekay. She, unfortunately, passed away in February 2013. After deciding we were not ready to get another dog (haha), we met a sweet 7-week old puppy named Eleanor in March of 2013. She was just what we needed and has been filling our life with joy (and non-stop activity) ever since!

Working for the Eastown Veterinary Clinic has been, and continues to be, a wonderful experience! The clientele here is amazing and I love all of my cat and dog clients! I intend to be here for many years to come.

I am a licensed veterinary technician, certified manual therapist, and veterinary physical rehabilitation assistant. As an East Grand Rapids native and long-time Eastown resident, I am thrilled to be working in the community that I live in, serving my friends and neighbors in caring for their pets.

I have been involved with animals for my entire life. From exotic birds, reptiles, and amphibians, to guinea pigs, chickens, rabbits, cats, dogs, and horses, I have lived with them all and enjoyed every minute of it! I went back to school to start my second career as a veterinary technician in 2005, and have gone on to do a certification program in veterinary physical rehabilitation. I am currently working towards my technician specialty in animal behavior.

The most rewarding part of veterinary medicine for me is using my additional training in physical rehabilitation and behavior modification. Helping pets and owners overcome physical or emotional barriers to living a healthy, happy life and strengthen the bond between them is something special that I feel very privileged to be a part of. In addition to seeing behavior and physical rehabilitation patients by appointment, I absolutely love to teach our Puppy Kindergarten and Adult Obedience classes, as well as private training sessions and Canine Good Citizen testing through the American Kennel Club. I also teach canine agility and physical fitness classes at a training center in the Grand Rapids area.

I spend some of my time on weekends helping out at the local emergency veterinary clinic, where I enjoy using my emergency and critical care nursing skills to help the ER docs save lives.

When I’m not working, I love volunteering with West Michigan Therapy Dogs and MSU’s Master Naturalist/Master Gardener programs. I spend as much time as possible with my husband, children, and extended Grand Rapids family. I share my life and home with two-pound puppies, Simone and Madigan, and a handi-“capable” Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Spanky. My family also includes three kitties, two birds, two rats, and a hedgehog. My husband recently made me sign an agreement not to adopt any more animals.