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 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, 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 Sampson D.V.M. Dr. Katie Sampson 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. She enjoys reading, movies, yoga, hiking, and spending time with her two cats, Tiger Lily and Onyx.
	*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.
	*Erin, The Office Manager,* has been working at the Animal Medical Center since 2002. Her passion for animals led her here following numerous years of retail management and marketing. Through extensive training and guidance, Erin is an Animal Technician assisting with medical and administrative duties. She feels that working with animals is extremely rewarding and looks forward to coming to work every day. She feels that it is a privilege to nurture and aid in healing our clients' pets. Growing up, Erin's home was never without cats or dogs. Her compassion for animals was evident early on as she took any opportunity to rescue homeless or injured animals, as well as caring for her own. Married with 3 children, she lives in Thompsonville with her 2 Dachshunds, Amber and Wallace, Welsh Cardigan Corgi "Franki" and Cat "Rugby". She has rescued and raised many kittens and a few strays that have come her way.
	*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.
	*Tiffany* has been working with us since 1998. She has always had a great love for animals. She began working at various Vet Clinics in the Tri-City area when she was 15 years old. She started out working in kennels-cleaning, feeding, and exercising the animals and by the time she was 20, she had moved up to "Animal Technician". Tiffany loves helping in the surgery room, treatment areas, and the lab. This is Tiffany's 20th year in the Animal Health profession! Tiffany has three children at home, Brooklyn, Alex and Mason. She also has a wonderful husband, Jeremy, who has always been supportive-even when it means adding to the animal menagerie. Their animal family includes 2 dogs-a Border Collie mix, Rowdy, and a Portuguese Water Dog, Pip, 4 cats-Flower, Al, Zephyr, and Jack, 3 fish-Fitch, Aqua, and Chowder, a snail, Camille and a Frog, Dido.
	*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 two dogs, a St. Bernard, Norton, a Basset Hounds, Lulu, and four kitties, Gracie, June, Mew 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.