Screechcame to us a very sickly little boy - so owner very graciously surrendered him to us to give him the 24 hour care that he needed. The name Screech fits him to "T" and if you hear him meow you'll understand why. Being just a kitten he was looking for someone to look up to and he found it in Roy. He follows Roy around and they nap together like long time buds. He regularly helps nervous patients by being a great buddy.
"The strength of the team is each individual member.
The strength of each member is the team." --Phil Jackson
R.I.P. Docarrived on the scene at KAH in the fall of 2003. He was found as a stray by a man who brought his pets to KAH. We needed a clinic pet and Doc filled our needs beyond our wildest expectations. He was very friendly and loved all ages of people and other animals too. Unfortunately Doc passed away October of 2019. He will be forever missed.
Rebecca K, Veterinary Assistant
Rebecca came to work with us in the fall of 2021. Previously worked in the medical field as a phlebotomist. Becca enjoys riding her snowmobile, horse Stewie and spending time outdoors with her young black lab, Zeus.
Lori G, Kennel Assistant
MEET OUR TEAM
Susie H, Vet Assistant & Practice Manager Susie has been a resident of Northern Michigan since 1986. She graduated from Kalkaska High School and then attended NMC. Susie fulfilled her love for horses while working at Ranch Rudolph as a trail guide in her early 20's. From there on it was all about working with animals. In 2004, she married Derek Hogerheide and they became the proud parents of twins, Laney & Trent. The Hogerheide's have two cats, Vanna & Elliotte, one rescue dog Lenny, and a horse named Denver.
April L, Receptionist
Sara S, Kennel Assistant
Michelle D, Licensed Veterinary Technician
Kalkaska Animal Hospital
625 M-72 NE
Kalkaska, MI 49646
Office (231) 258-4107
Fax (231) 258-0671
Dr. Leigh Ngirarsaol, DVM
Dr. Ngirarsaol was raised in Grand Rapids and earned her Bachelor degree at Hillsdale College. She graduated from Michigan State University's School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Dr. Ngirarsaol joined our team August 1, 2011. On January 1, 2013 Dr. Ngirarsaol purchased Kalkaska Animal Hospital. She and her family lives in Rapid City with their 2 dogs, 3 cats and 4 horses. In her spare time she enjoys water sports, spending time with friends and family, riding horses and playing softball . Her favorite team? The Detroit Tigers!
Roy came to live with us the summer of 2015. Dr. Lewis discovered him at the local shelter with a condition called Entropion, when the eyelids are inverted. She fixed his eyes and he somehow worked his way into our hearts. Maybe it's that grumpy face:) He sure does keep us entertained, he loves to open doors and visit clients in the exam rooms!
Dr. Richard Smith, DVM
Dr. Rick Smith, a 1969 graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, returned to Michigan to join Kalkaska Animal Hospital in 2003. After practicing in both Lansing, Michigan and in Neenah, Wisconsin, he is delighted to be “back home: in northern Michigan. He and his wife Tricia live in Traverse City with their dog Charlie. They have two married children and two grandchildren.
Kelli B, Receptionist
Dee R, Receptionist
Speedythe African Spurred Tortoise came
to live with us the summer of 2015 at the
ripe old age of 18. She was donated to
Dr. Lewis from a family friend. Speedy
grew up in a school surrounded by kids.
She loves kids, she shows her excitement
by spinning in circles. She also loves to
chase her ball and get her shell scratched.
A little about the African Spurred Tortoise;
It is the third-largest species of tortoise in
the world. The lifespan of an African spurred
tortoise is about 50–150 years, though they can live much longer. African Spurred Tortoises are herbivores and their diets consist of many types of grasses and plants, high in fiber and very low in protein. Speedy eats a head of romaine lettuce everyday but her favorite treats include strawberries, pizza crust, tomato and watermelon!
Kalkaska Animal Hospital
Sarah P, Veterinary Technician
Sarah was raised in Kalkaska, Mi and graduated from Baker College in 2020 with an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology. She has 2 Pitbull/Dalmatian mixes, 2 Paint horses and 4 cats. Outside of the clinic Sarah enjoys the outdoors; kayaking, hiking, disc golfing, and competing in barrel racing.