Meet the Team
Your Veterinarian in Mancelona, MI
We take pride in serving our community with personalized pet care. Get to know the people who are going to be taking care of your furry friends!
Meet Our Team
Mancelona Veterinary Hospital gathers the finest staff from Mancelona, Michigan to make your vet experience as good as it can get.
The Mancelona Team
Riley
Veterinary Assistant
Meet Riley! Riley has worked at MVH since 2016. She started as a kennel attendant, followed by learning the role of receptionist, and now also works as a veterinary assistant. Oftentimes, she can be found loving on our guests during their stay at MVH. She enjoys her work at MVH because she can advocate for animals who do not have a voice to advocate for themselves.
Riley is currently going to school to teach agricultural education. In her free time, she can be found curled up with her dogs, reading a good book. She shares her home with ten dogs, one cat, 14 chickens, and four ducks.
Kim
Receptionist
Kim joined the MVH team in the spring of 2022. She has been bringing her pets to the clinic for almost twenty years. Doctor Dale and the team have always been so knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly that when there was an opening, Kim couldn’t resist the chance to be a part of the staff. Her favorite part of the job, so far, is helping people help their fur babies. When there is life-changing news for the pet owners, she is happy to offer comfort and a listening ear. She looks forward to getting to know the clients of MVH by sight and snuggling as many of their pets as she appropriately can.
Kim goes home to her husband of 32 years and her Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Mackinaw. As a Northern Michigan native, she loves all the things that make our corner of the world so special; camping, hiking, gardening, water sports, and snow sports. Her favorite pastime though is not so active, it is curling up on the couch with a cup of something warm and a book.
Dr. Dale Ackler
DVM
Dr. Ackler received his training from Michigan State University and graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993.
He practiced in New York and Flint, MI before purchasing the Mancelona Veterinary Hospital in 1997. His wife, Tina, is a nurse. They have eight children who keep their family busy attending school functions and sporting events. He also has three dogs, three cats, and a flock of chickens.
His patients are predominately dogs and cats. He has also been known to see the occasional deer fawn, wild bird, or other wildlife in need. During veterinary school, he had the opportunity to live at and assist the veterinarians at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. While there, he got to work with everything from endangered turtles to gorillas. He also assisted in a program that rehabilitated injured bald eagles.
Other than a love for animals, Dr. Dale has a fondness for the outdoors and enjoys such activities as camping, backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and horseback riding.
He is an active member of the Mancelona Rotary and the Mancelona School Board.
Dr. Brandy Spoor
DVM
Dr. Spoor knew she wanted to be a veterinarian since kindergarten! She joined MVH as a full-time veterinarian in May of 2021. She is originally from Elk Rapids, Michigan, but moved to Texas to pursue her undergraduate work at Texas A&M University. Dr. Spoor holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in equine studies. She attended veterinary school at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean, graduating in January of 2021. Dr. Spoor enjoys working with animals of all kinds, as well as visiting with their owners.
Outside of work, Dr. Spoor enjoys paddle boarding with her two island dogs, Dom and Gin. She can also be found spending time outdoors with her family.
Abigail
Kennel Attendant
Abigail is a Mancelona local and joined our team in 2021, as a kennel attendant. She has grown up around animals, big and small, so working with them just seemed to fit. She can often be found caring for our boarding friends and making them feel at home during their stay.
Outside of MVH work, Abigail has work to do on her family farm. She has also been active in 4-H since middle school and her horse, Dixie, is her partner in training, having spent most of their lives together. Dance and art also occupy Abigail’s spare time.
Alicia
LVT
Alicia grew up in West Michigan where, at age 13, she became involved with various equine activities. She participated in Open Shows and 4-H but found her true passion for dressage with her off-the-track thoroughbred named ‘Daring Adventure’.
In the fall of 2010, Alicia graduated from Michigan State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Technology. She found her career home in 2014, at the Mancelona Veterinary Hospital, after working 2 years in emergency medicine. Here you can find her directly involved in patient care, while running laboratory and diagnostic testing, as well as educating clients.
When she is not at work, Alicia enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, and daughter, Montana. She enjoys being involved in her daughter’s horse showings and 4-H. As a family, they delight in traveling to new places and enjoy an annual fishing trip to Canada. Alicia and her family share their home with two cats, Sampson and Vern.
Alisha
Receptionist
Alisha is a northern Michigan native. She has been a wonderful addition to our front desk team since 2020. She prides herself on being a proficient, reliable, and knowledgeable team member. She works at the fastest possible pace to answer client questions and deliver on the needs of our patients. She is usually the friendly face of our front desk, eager to greet all of our pet families!
Outside of MVH, Alisha’s family is her number one priority. She is a mom to four busy boys, who keep her on her toes. She enjoys going to sporting events and is one of the loudest parents in the stands cheering on her kids. She also enjoys kayaking, horseback riding, camping, hiking, and fishing, as well as snowshoeing in the winter months.
Brittany
Office Manager
Brittany joined MVH in 2002, while still in high school. She offered to volunteer at Mancelona Veterinary Hospital because of her love for animals. She knew she wanted to work with them in one way or another. Shortly after, she began working with Dr. Dale as a kennel attendant/veterinary assistant and there isn’t much around the clinic she hasn’t done since. She is one of the most versatile employees. She is most often found in her office doing ‘behind the scenes’ jobs, but can still be found at the front desk or answering phones throughout the day. She also enjoys assisting with pet treatments when needed. She says the best part of her job is befriending the dogs and cats and their families that come to us. The relationships she builds with the patients and their families is something she values.
Outside of the hospital, Brittany can be found spending time with her family. She is most often enjoying her time at school functions and sporting events with her husband, James, and their four young children. Besides the two-legged children, she has many four-legged babies, as well. Her fur kids include her kitties, Nemo, Milo, Leo, Pepper, and Simon, her two dogs, Percy and Dodge, and Franklin, her red-eared slider turtle. She sums up her life as crazy and busy, but wouldn’t have it any other way!
Chelsea
LVT
Chelsea joined the Mancelona Veterinary Hospital team in December 2017 after moving to the area from her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
She began volunteering at an animal clinic in 2006 and found her passion in life. She ended up working there for over 9 years before adventuring south. She is very compassionate to all types of animals and loves them like they are one of her own! She graduated from Penn Foster College with her Associate’s Degree of Applied Science and became licensed in the fall of 2016.
When Chelsea is not working, she likes to spend time with her fiance, Kyle, and cuddle with her fur children. She has two chihuahuas, Mazie and Brody, and two cats, Mario and Princess Peach. Chelsea enjoys camping, horseback riding, fishing, playing cards, scrapbooking, and spending time with family.
Dori
Office Cat
Dori is another clinic cat at MVH. She came to us in 2019, as a baby found on the side of the highway with a fish hook stuck in her paw. She was the sweetest thing and melted our hearts. She is shy and frightened of new people, but once she warms up to you, she can’t get enough attention. She is the best cuddle buddy and can often be found snuggling in our break room or creating mischief in one of the offices in the building.
Gilbert
Office Pig
Gilbert is a miniature pig who was born in August 2015. He loves to snack and rummage. Every day is a new adventure as we watch him grow and learn. During the spring, summer, and fall, he can often be found outside in his play yard. During the winter, he prefers to snuggle inside under his blankets.
Graycee
Office Cat
Graycee is one of two MVH clinic cats. This little girl is a bit more reserved. She prefers to watch from a distance. She loves to stalk the birds outside at the feeder and play hide and seek with us at closing time. Her favorite pastime is lounging on her cat tower, soaking up the sunshine!
Holly
Receptionist
Holly joined the MVH team in 2011 and has been a wonderful addition to our work family. When needed she has helped out in many areas of the clinic, but can typically be found handling important duties as one of our receptionists.
Working at the front desk for many years has given her the opportunity to know and recognize many faces, including the furry ones! She strives to make everyone she interacts with feel important and that they are her only focus at that moment (even though, she may have many different things going on at the front desk). She wants to be a familiar voice and face for our clients and their families to rely on.
When not working, Holly’s husband and four children, along with their many animals, keep her busy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside gardening and raising Monarch Butterflies. She finds sitting by the water, listening to the sounds of nature, and absorbing the sunshine most relaxing. She also enjoys arts and crafts and volunteering at Michael’s Place, where she can utilize one of her many crafting skills.
Maureen
Receptionist
Maureen joined the MVH family in 2017. Her favorite part about working at MVH is experiencing the bond and love that people have for their pets.
In her spare time, she keeps busy volunteering and watching her two boys’ sporting events. She also enjoys long walks in the woods with her loyal companions, Butch and Raven.
Megan
Receptionist
Born and raised in Antrim County, Megan Lee joined our team in October of 2016, after returning home from a 12-year stay in sunny Florida.
A self-proclaimed ‘Career Receptionist,’ she can often be found in her natural habitat -The Front Desk -right here at MVH. She prides herself in delivering exceptional customer service to our beloved clients. Megan Lee equally enjoys greeting our clientele in person and on the phone, and has thrived in our fun, busy, exciting environment!
When she’s not doing her favorite job, Megan Lee enjoys going for walks at local nature trails, kayaking, and archery. She is a novice author and aspiring voice artist. Her favorite pastime is being a cat mom to her 3-year-old mini panther, Archer T. Goodcat.
Nicolle
Veterinary Assistant
Nicolle is a northern Michigan native, graduating from Gaylord High School. She joined MVH as a grooming assistant in 2019, after years of staying home with her three young daughters. When they began school full time, she wanted to pursue her dream of working with animals. She can now be found as a veterinary assistant, often greeting our patients and their families at the start of their appointment.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her girls and husband. Nicolle never has a dull moment, as she has a mini-farm of her own to run at home, as well as caring for her 6 dogs and 2 cats. Her favorite part of working at MVH is getting a chance to meet all of our patients.
Nikki
Veterinary Assistant
Nikki has dreamed of working with animals for a long time. When she was given the opportunity to join MVH as a veterinary assistant in 2021, she didn’t hesitate. She jumped right in, while still studying to become a licensed veterinary technician through Penn Foster. She loves being able to play and work around fur babies all day!
When not working at MVH, Nikki enjoys drawing, reading, and playing video games. She shares her home with her three cuddly cats, Binx, Lucian, and Ashes.
Sigrid
Receptionist/ Veterinary Assistant
Sig has been working part-time at MVH since 2004 when both her kids started school. Now, her daughter and son are both college graduates and she is still here with us! She is mainly a receptionist but occasionally fills other roles as a veterinary assistant and kennel attendant. The animals she encounters make every day fascinating.
At home, she has one husband, seven dogs, ten cats (five are in the barn), one horse, two rabbits, three ducks, three geese, one dove, and two goldfish. If she comes up with any downtime, she likes to read, watch movies, garden, or bake. Although, the critters are her biggest hobby.
Taylor
Veterinary Assistant
Taylor has been a veterinary assistant at MVH since early 2021. She has always been interested in working in veterinary medicine, and is planning on pursuing a degree in Veterinary Technology!
Her favorite part about working at MVH is gaining hands-on experience and interacting with patients and their families.