Our Staff:

Karen M. Updike, DVM

Dr. Updike graduated from Michigan State University in 1994 and has practiced here at Milwood Animal Clinic since May 1994.  She has a special interest in avian and exotic pet medicine as well as animal behavior.  She and her husband live with a Miniature Schnauzer named Hazel, two hamsters, and a Schneider's Skink.  They also have two children, Amelia and Mitchell.

Alissa M. Smitley, DVM 

Dr. Smitley, also a 1994 graduate from Michigan State University, has been with Milwood Animal Clinic since September 1997.  Her special interests are reproductive medicine and ophthalmology.  She owns a hound mix named Earl.

Lorri Stewart, DVM

Dr. Stewart is a 1995 graduate of Michigan State University and joined Milwood Animal Clinic in December 2006.  Her special interests are orthopedic surgery and exotic pet medicine.

Support Staff:

Milwood Animal Clinic's support staff aids the veterinarians in everything they do. Receptionists directly assist our clients with appointments, records and communications with the doctors. Out Patient Nurses (OPNs) work hand in hand with the veterinarians during examinations and do most of the client education that helps our pet owners keep their pets happy and healthy. Our In Patient Nurses (IPNs) perform laboratory procedures, assist the doctors in surgery and provide nursing care for hospitalized patients. All our staff receive continuing education on a weekly basis so that they can better help educate our clients, assist the veterinarians and provide exceptional health care to your companion pets.

Barbara Disney, Practice Manager

Barb has been with Milwood Animal Clinic for 10 years. She and her family are transplants from Southern California. Barb has worked as a Veterinary Technician, pet groomer, wildlife rehabilitator, and now as Milwood's Practice Manager. The family pets include an Australian Shepherd dog Shellie,a Jack Russell Terrier mix Paulie,  a black cat named Thelma Kitty, and a very raucous Umbrella Cockatoo named Zoe. Barb loves the atmosphere of progressive veterinary care at Milwood, the kindness and respect that all patients are given, and that so many different species of animals are cared for here.

Kayla Dowden, Reception Supervisor

Kayla has worked in the veterinary field since 1981 and at Milwood for 6 years. She has been married for 25 years and has a son attending Michigan State University. The family pets are two dogs, Ripley and Shilo, two cats Kip and Dancer, and a cockatiel named Rado. Kayla enjoys being a Sunday School/Youth Group teacher at her church and attending her son's athletic events as well as collecting model horses and antique lanterns. She feels that our doctors provide excellent veterinary care to their patients, are very concerned about client education, and do all they can to provide information vital to pet health.

Marilyn Brown, Behaviorist

Marilyn has been with Milwood since February 2007.  Currently Marilyn provides puppy classes on Mondays and Fridays in the evening and behavioral consultations by appointment.  Marilyn is very dedicated to helping clients with difficult pet behavior problems.  She enjoys working at Milwood because the team has common goals that provide superior health care and education for clients and their four-legged or flighted family members.

Tina Lamb, In-Patient Nurse

Tina has been with Milwood Animal Clinic since June of 2000. She has worked in the field of veterinary sciences for 13 years. Tina's pet family consists of a Boxer Maggie, a Rat Terrier Spike, and a Chihuahua named George. She also has two rescued cats and a pair of Umbrella Cockatoos, Kimo and Darci. Roberto, the clinic's pet bird, a Yellow Front Amazon parrot also lives at Tina's home when she is not at the clinic. Tina has a special interest is avian behavior and medicine. She loves to work with the birds seen here at Milwood.