Animal Medical Center of TC


	229 N. U.S. 31 South Traverse City, Mi 49684 ♦ (231) 943-8500


	Dr. Tom met Dr. Karen at Michigan State University's Veterinary School. Sharing a love for animals, they married after graduation in 1981. After working in separate practices for a year, they established The Animal Medical Center of Traverse City in 1982. They have two children, both of which graduated from Traverse City Central High School. Megan is a graduate of The University of Michigan with a degree in English and Dance. Ryan is currently a student at Central Michigan University and hopes to become a foreign language instructor. Their vast animal family includes a llama: Phantom. 2 horses: Zonkers and K.C., 4 goats: Frida, Diego, Trillium and Margarita, 1 sheep: Wallace, 2 Golden Retrievers: Everest and McKinley, 4 cats: Dusty and Dharma, Kibo and Esmeralda, a cockatiel: Apache, and numerous fish and pet chickens and roosters. Through the years they have welcomed many other critters into their home: rabbits, chinchillas, gerbils, rats, lizards, ducks, geese and parakeets to name a few. As a couple, Drs. Tom and Karen also share an interest in organic gardening. Their critters aid in supplying the wonderful "Organic Gold" compost that makes their flowers grow so beautifully. As a family, they enjoy many outdoor activities and recently reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa together. *Thomas A Mertaugh, D.V.M* Dr. Tom is an active member of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society; He is also the only certified Penn-Hip veterinarian in the area. Many of the local veterinarians refer their orthopedic cases to him and MSU has used him for follow-up care on their local orthopedic cases. He is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys downhill skiing, ice climbing, hockey, water-skiing, mountaineering, and rock-climbing. Along with his son, Ryan, he has competed in many triathlons.

	*Karen K. Mertaugh, D.V.M.* Dr. Karen has been actively involved with the Cherryland Humane Society, having served on their board of directors for five years. Although you may not see her in the exam room often, she can be frequently found in the surgery room and is responsible for the business end of the practice. She enjoys camping and back packing with the family, but her true passion is trail riding with her Quarter Horse, Zonkers. Her other hobbies include reading and knitting. She uses the wool from her pet sheep and llamas in her fiber projects. She loves to travel and experience other cultures and enjoys speaking French when ever possible.

	Dr. Katie Zayaz D.V.M. Dr. Katie Zayaz is a graduate of Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, she participated in a one year internship program at Southpaws Veterinary Referral center in Springfield, Virginia. She then worked as an emergency veterinarian at the Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois for two years before moving to Traverse City to be with her family. Dr. Katie has a special interest in internal medicine and emergency medicine. She has plans to further her education in acupuncture and holistic medicine. Her hobbies include reading, yoga, and spoiling her cat, Tiger Lily, she recently got married to her best friend Joe, a local attorney.
	*LuAnn* has been a receptionist for the Animal Medical Center since 1997. LuAnn moved to the Traverse City area from Saginaw. She has eleven prior years of experience at clinics downstate. She has always had a passion for animals, particularly dogs and horses. Working with them has been a life- long dream. LuAnn lives in Williamsburg near Elk Lake with her husband, Scott, and dogs Hayley, a yellow Lab, and Kaiser, a German Shepherd. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, movies, her model horse collection, Bowling, Detroit Tigers baseball, and spending time with Scott, Hayley, and Kaiser.
	*Laura* joined the team in May of 2005,and has over 8 years of experience as an Animal Technician. Laura and her husband, Rob were both born and raised in Traverse City and together have two beautiful daughters Rachel and Rebecca. Her family shares their home with a very loyal Humane Society Lab mix Max, a red Siberian Husky Chewy, a pretty little Chihuahua Hazel, and three wonderful cats, Clyde, Dickens and Walter. Laura's strong love for animals started at an early age with 4-H and showing Quarter Horses. Laura is very appreciative of being able to spend her days with your animals.
	*Renee* joined The Animal Medical Center team in June 2008. It was a lifelong dream of hers to be able to work with animals. Born in Allen Park, Mi. she moved to Traverse City in January 1976. She spent some time working at the Cherryland Humane Society and really enjoyed her time there with the animals. She has been happily married to her husband Bruce, for 31 years and lives on the Boardman River. She has always had animals in her life, and her current dog, Cockapoo is named "Willy". She has had many dogs of different breeds from a Rhodesian Ridgeback, Springer Spaniel, Bull Mastiff, St. Bernard, Rottweiler and a few mutts. She enjoys Harley riding, cooking, gardening, reading and spending time with her family and friends.
	*Kelli* has been with the Animal Medical Center as a Veterinary Assistant since 2003. She was born in Lansing, but was raised in Suttons Bay. She now lives in Kingsley with her husband, Mike and their two children, Travis and Anna. Their family includes three dogs, a Chihuahua, Ruby Sue, a yellow lab, Lewis, a Basset Hound, Lulu, and three kitties, Gracie, June, and Gladys, along with a bunny, Henry. She enjoys working at the clinic because we are such a close group of animal lovers and we work well together. She says that the best part is that she can spoil the animals and then send them home Kelli loves being with her children and participating in all of their school activities. She also enjoys baking, gardening, and camping any chance she can get.