Our Staff
Dr. Dana Kruse
Veterinarian
Dr. Kruse (formerly Esterle) grew up in the Big Rapids area and attended Ferris State University for her undergraduate studies where she received her Bachelors degree in Applied Biology with minors in Spanish and Psychology. Dr. Kruse graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University in 2007.
Dr. Kruse has worked in multiple veterinary practices over the years, allowing her to develop not only her medical and surgical skills, but also build strong relationships with clients and staff.
Special areas of interest include preventive medicine, dentistry, soft tissue surgery and ultrasound.
Dr. Kruse also has an interest in poultry and exotics medicine. When she is not taking care of your furry family members, she is at home with her husband Jason taking care of their two children as well as their dogs Gretta and Isabelle, 4 cats, and numerous chickens. She enjoys gardening, cooking, running/hiking, kayaking, and spending time with the family.
Dr. Linda Kudrycki
Veterinarian
Dr. Linda grew up in Southeast Michigan and knew at a very young age that caring for animals was her calling. She grew up riding horses, participating in 4-H, and spending summers working on dairy farms. Linda completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. She graduated in 2009 with a Biology Major and a Chemistry Minor.
Dr. Linda then went on to veterinary school at Michigan State University and graduated in 2013 with her DVM. Her first year out of school Dr. Linda worked in a mixed animal practice in Ohio. She then moved to Big Rapids and has been practicing veterinary medicine locally ever since.
When not at work Dr. Linda loves spending time with her husband, daughter and her orange tiger cat Milo. She is an avid runner and a budding photographer who also enjoys gardening, shopping, mountain biking, and scrapbooking.
Dr. Linda particularly values forming lasting and meaningful client relationships. Her current small animal professional interests include dermatology and preventive medicine. In addition, she has experience with, and a passion for, dairy and small ruminants.
Linda is excited about providing quality care to your four-legged family members and looks forward to carrying on the legacy of Dr. Don Hitzemann and serving the Big Rapids community at 19 Mile Veterinary Hospital.
Dr. Ann Sellers
Veterinarian
Dr. Ann Sellers was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Following high school graduation, she
attended Louisiana State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. She then
pursued her dream of becoming a veterinarian and attended Louisiana State University School of
Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2001.
After obtaining her DVM, she began a one-year internship in
equine medicine, surgery, theriogenology, and herd health management at LSU SVM. Following that
year, she was accepted into a 3-year residency program in Equine Medicine at Colorado State University
College of Veterinary Medicine in Fort Collins, Colorado. During her residency program she also
completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Sciences. She obtained her board certification in Large Animal
Internal Medicine by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2005.
After completion of her residency program in 2005 she returned to her home state and worked at a
busy exclusive equine private practice in Lafayette, Louisiana. She was offered a position as faculty at
Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007, so she returned to Fort Collins as part
of the Equine Field Service and Equine Medicine team at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
In 2012, she and her family moved to central Michigan where her husband, Rick, was born and raised. In
her free time, Dr. Sellers can be found spending time with her husband, driving her two boys around to
their activities, and hanging out with their yellow lab Slider, and two English Springer Spaniels, Crash and
Hobbs.
She enjoys reading, working in the yard, traveling, and spending time with friends.
She has a special interest in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and preventative care. She looks
forward to meeting you and providing care for your animal friends.
Erin
Office Manager
Erin has worked in the Veterinary field for around 20 years, and has had the opportunity to work in many different areas and positions within the field. She loves being able to help clients and their pets, and she is one of the familiar faces our clients look forward to seeing at the front desk. She holds a special place in her heart for squishy faced dogs!
In her free time, she enjoys fishing and kayaking with her husband Aron and son Evan. Her hobbies include horseback riding and helping Evan with his 4-H projects. They share their home with 3 dogs, 5 cats, 2 horses and several chickens.
Alex
Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Alex grew up in Big Rapids and graduated from Baker College in Cadillac in 2016 with an
Associates Degree in Applied Science with a concentration on Veterinary Technology.
When not at work, Alex enjoys spending time with her husband Neil and her 2 sons Hunter and Easton.
She has 2 black Labrador Retrievers named Riley and Maverick, as well as, a Golden Retriever named
Tater (pictured). Alex also has 3 cats named Slice, Hatrick, and Noah. She has recently delved into chicken
ownership (likely under the influence of some of her co-workers!) which she is enjoying.
In her spare
time she enjoys camping, going to the beach, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
She looks forward to meeting you and your furry family members!
Danyel
Clerical Service Representative
Danyel grew up with the dream of working with animals. She has absolutely loved the past
5+ years of working at the front desk in veterinary medicine.
In her free time, Danyel enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her boyfriend Ben.
She loves going on walks (especially with her dogs Mocha and Star), reading, and coloring.
Shelby
Veterinary Assistant
Shelby is currently enrolled at Penn Foster College, and is working towards her associates degree in
Veterinary Technology. She loves to care for your fur babies and can’t wait to meet them!
Shelby and her family share their home with 3 Great Danes (Buck, Inky, Bruno), 1 English Labrador (Gus),
2 cats (Eugene, Tiana), 3 horses (Colby, Rose, Tessa) and a flock of chickens.
Emma
Veterinary Assistant
Emma grew up with the dream of working with animals. She has loved the past two years working in the animal industry. In her free time, Emma enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time with her family and fur babies Duke, Rain, Brittney, Zhunya and Buster (pictured). Emma makes it her duty to treat your beloved pet as one of her own!!
Maiya
Veterinary Assistant
Maiya graduated from Baker College of Cadillac in 2023 with an Associates Degree in Applied Science, majoring in Veterinary Technology. She is a licensed veterinary technician that is passionate in the care of animals. She has been in the field of veterinary medicine since she was a teenager. Maiya has 2 dogs, Boon (pictured) and Ruby. As well as several cats. All whom she loves to spend time with. She also enjoys kayaking, fishing, and seeing family and friends. Maiya looks forward to caring for your pets!
Molly Harma
Veterinary Assistant
Molly has worked in the veterinary field for the past 5 years. She is currently a student in Ferris State University’s Pre-Veterinary Science program.
Molly loves spending time with her horse Annie, cat Vivian, and dog Tucker.
In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, and surrounding herself with family and friends.
Chris
Client Service Representative
Chris had over 20 years experience in the human medical field before making the switch to veterinary medicine a few years ago. She and her husband have three amazing children that are grown and flown, and currently share their home with way too many pets. The newest addition, Laddie, is pictured. Chris enjoys summer, camping, concerts, reading and loving on your pets!