WESTWOOD HILLS ANIMAL HOSPITAL
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Meet Our Team

Our mission is to work as a team to serve our patients and their owners with compassion and respect while
providing excellent medical care in a professional, positive, collaborative environment.

Our vision is to develop relationships with our clients and patients in a way that allows us to grow
and provide services to meet the needs of our community.

Our core values are Professionalism, Positivity, and Patience


Dr. Sharon Henn
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Practice Owner - 24 years in practice

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​ Dr. Henn lived on a hobby farm growing up and was very attached to the cats.  If you were looking for her, she could often be found reading a book and cuddling some kittens.  Unfortunately, her parents never took their animals to the vet, and she would feel so helpless when they were sick.  Dr. Henn didn't like that helpless feeling, and when she was trying to find her path in life, she decided to become a veterinarian so she would never be unable to take care of her animals again.  This is a perfect fit for her, since she also has a love of science, math, and record keeping. She still likes solving problems, helping people take the best care of their pets, and has a soft spot for cats. Dr. Henn majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry at Central Michigan University and graduated summa cum laude in 1997. She graduated first in her class at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001.  She has been practicing small animal medicine and surgery exclusively since graduation. She started working at Westwood Hills Animal Hospital part time in 2007 and purchased the practice in 2018.   She has three wonderful children, a houseful of rescued pets (dogs and cats). She loves to paint in watercolors and oils, read, travel, and relax with Yin yoga. You can see her artwork all over the walls of the hospital.

Dr. Chelsea Grimes
Associate Veterinarian - 12 years in practice

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Dr. Chelsea Grimes originally hails from Metro Detroit (West Bloomfield, MI). Her husband’s career brought her family to the west side of the state in 2019 and she is excited to be living and working in west Michigan so she can explore the natural beauty and enjoy the entertaining events that the greater Grand Rapids area has to offer (she always welcomes your suggestions that should be on the list of "must-do"/"must-see" west MI experiences). She graduated "With Honors" and the highest GPA of her program at Michigan State. University's Lyman Briggs College with a bachelor of science degree in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics (2008). She then went on to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University graduating in 2013 with a DVM degree.
After graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Grimes extended her veterinary knowledge with a rigorous, one year small animal rotating internship at VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Fishers, Indiana. Dr. Grimes completed rotations working alongside board certified veterinarians specializing in: neurology, oncology, emergency care, radiology, ophthalmology, dermatology, surgery and internal medicine. Upon completion of her internship, Dr. Grimes returned to her home state of Michigan working first as an associate veterinarian in Metro Detroit and later in the greater Grand Rapids area.  ​Outside of the hospital, Dr. Grimes loves spending time with her family (especially at the beach or any other outdoor adventure!), snowboarding, boating/water sports, and reading. As a former gymnast and diver she also enjoys pilates and yoga exercises. Dr. Grimes is thrilled to be an associate veterinarian at Westwood Hills Animal Hospital where she has the opportunity to practice a high quality of medicine alongside a collaborative group of colleagues. She is looking forward to developing the trust of long term clients and patients, working with you to maintain the health of your cherished four legged companion(s) so that the bond between owner and pet can continue to flourish!

Dr. Jennifer Barczak
Associate Veterinarian - 12 years in practice

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Dr. Barczak grew up in Byron Center, Michigan surrounded by all sorts of pets. At one point her family had 5 cats, 4 dogs, 2 birds, a horse and a goat. Her family also bred Boxers which was a great learning experience for her. Her family was never surprised to see her with some sort of creature she was trying to rehabilitate, from turtles, snakes, to squirrels. She loved being surrounded by animals and knew from a young age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. She received her Bachelors of Science Degree with a major in Veterinary Medicine in 2010 from Michigan State University and graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. Since graduation, she has worked exclusively in small animal medicine and enjoys preventative care, surgery, and establishing relationships with her clients and their pets. Dr. Barczak is married to her high school sweetheart, has 2 young children, 3 cats, and 1 dog. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and finding new experiences to enjoy with her kids. She loves being outdoors, especially in the summer, traveling, and having movie nights with her husband.

Theresa, Licensed Veterinary Technician
17 years in practice
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​Theresa is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and earned her degree from Baker College in 2008. She has been working here for 17 years and has a passion for dentistry. She looks forward to coming to work every day because each day is never the same, there are so many great parts of being a licensed vet tech, and the clients and pets are amazing. Theresa’s free time involves being a mom and a wife, she has two daughters and one son. Her goals are to raise a happy, healthy family and enjoy life to its fullest. She also enjoys getting outside to play sports, hanging out with family and friends and spending time at the cottage. Bandit is her only pet, he is an 11 year old shorkie (shih tzu/yorkie mix). He is quite spoiled and is lucky enough to come to work every day!
      Sam, B.S., Licensed Veterinary Technician
11 years in practice
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Sam is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and earned her Bachelors of Science degree with a veterinary emphasis from GVSU in 2017. She completed her Licensed Veterinary Technology program through Penn Foster and became licensed in 2023. She worked at the Humane Society of West Michigan in animal care for 4 years, and has been working at Westwood Hills for over 9 years now. Some of her main interests include animal behavior, surgery, and veterinary dentistry. She loves coming to work and forming relationships with the many different types of clients and pets we see each day.  Her goals are to continue her education in veterinary medicine and to go on more traveling adventures! 
Sue, Licensed Veterinary Technician
​12 years in practice
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Sue is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and earned her degree from Sandford Brown College in 2013. Before coming into the veterinary field she worked as a Recreation Therapist for over 20 years. Sue decided she needed a change, and with her love for animals her next step was to become a veterinary technician. Sue enjoys reading, walking, biking, being outdoors, and wildlife watching. Her favorite moments are the times she spends with her husband and German Shepherd Ivy Rose. ​
Amber, Licensed Veterinary Technician
5 years in practice
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Amber is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and graduated from Baker College in 2019. Growing up she had a love for animals, and when her childhood dog was diagnosed with cancer, she decided she wanted to make a difference by working with animals. Amber was born and raised just outside of Grand Rapids, MI, where she grew up participating in 4-H with her dog and horse. She has two rescue cats Wren & Roo and an Anatolian Shepherd mix Reshi. She enjoys hiking, computer games, music, and taking naps with her critters. ​
Kaytlin, Licensed Veterinary Technician
9 years in practice
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Kaytlin is a Licensed Veterinary Technician, earning her Veterinary Technology degree from Baker College in 2016, and has been in the field for 9 years. She has always known she wanted to work with animals. Her career as a veterinary technician combines her love of animals with her love of learning. She currently has a cat named Hobbes, whose favorite hobbies are bird-watching from the window and sleeping in all of the sunny spots. During her free time, she enjoys reading, hammocking, and playing table top games with family and friends. ​​
Tori, Veterinary Assistant
11 years in practice
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​Tori is a veterinary assistant that started working in the field in 2014. Her favorite aspect of veterinary medicine is the bond she forms with pets and their owners. Tori enjoys using our in-house diagnostic lab equipment and will admit to loving the pop of an abscess or cyst. She feels that while she has been with our clinic she has grown as a vet assistant and has built more knowledge on veterinary medicine. Her animal crew at home includes her three large breed dogs, Koda, Zazu and Willow, and her old man cat, Scamper. In her spare time you can find her at an indoor or outdoor park with her 4 year old son and spending her time with her family. Her biggest dream is to eventually travel to Botswana.

Kaylee, Certified Veterinary Assistant
4 years in practice
Casey, Veterinary Assistant
8 years in practice

Jay, Licensed Veterinary Technician
13 years in practice

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Kaylee is a Veterinary Assistant and earned her Veterinary Assistant Certificate from Ross in 2021. Kaylee has wanted to work with animals since she was 8 years old. Her first pet was a bird named Jem. She currently has two wonderful cats Willoughby and Babs.  Her interests at work include assisting in surgery, caring for hospitalized patients, diagnostic laboratory testing, and microscopy. Kaylee loves coming to work and getting the chance to form relationships with clients and their pets. She loves to learn new things everyday! Outside of work, Kaylee loves hammocking, hiking, going to the beach, reading, and loving on her two fur babies. Kaylee loves attending continuing educational seminars to learn and better educate clients. ​
Casey is a veterinary assistant and has been in the field for 8 years. She has always had a passion for animals really peaked her interest when she was surprised with her first dog, Ella who is an 11 year old Australian Shepherd. She also has two long cats named Lily and Lola who love to eat and cuddle. Casey enjoys coming to work because she learns something new everyday! Casey is also a licensed cosmetologist and does hair on the side for family and friends. Outside of work, Casey enjoys spending time with her husband, going to the beach, and traveling.
Jay is a passionate Registered Veterinary Technician. She earned her veterinary technician degree in 2012 at Tulsa Community College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She spent years in shelter and emergency medicine before moving to Colorado where she worked primarily in general practice. She has a love for surgery and critical care. She is obsessed with boxers and all of the brachycephalic breeds. Jay recently moved back home to Michigan to be closer to family. Outside of work she loves sports, being outdoors, and spending time on the Great Lakes of Michigan. We are so fortunate to have her as a member of the team.

Mackenzie, Licensed Veterinary Technician
​ 4 years in practice

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Mackenzie is a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She earned her license in 2024 after completing the rigorous Licensed Veterinary Technology  Program through Penn Foster. Mackenzie always knew she wanted to work with animals and has been in the veterinary field since 2020. She worked at a feline only practice while pursuing her studies, completing two intensive externships here at Westwood Hills. She joined the team full time in 2024 and we are so thankful to have her! In her free time she enjoys attending Griffins games, watching movies, and spending time with her husband and "perfect" Catahoula leopard dog mix named Kallie.  ​

Location

3242 Leonard Street NW
Grand Rapids MI, 49534

Contact Us

​EMAIL: WESTWOODHILLSSTAFF@GMAIL. COM
PHONE: 616.453.8259

Business hours:
MONDAY: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
TUESDAY: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
WEDNESDAY: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
THURSDAY: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

FRIDAY: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SATURDAY: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
SUNDAY: CLOSED​​

Partners

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  • Home
  • Team Members
  • Services
  • Hospital Policies
  • Payment Plans
  • Testimonials
  • Photos
  • Parasite Preventions
  • Client Education Handouts
  • Client Forms
  • Contact
  • Online Store