I am from Port Huron, Michigan. I’m going to school at Baker College for Veterinary Technology and will graduate in May of 2025. I have two dogs Charlie & Cowboy and a cat, Willow. When not at work or school, I like to read, hike, & spend time with friends & family.

Elvie is from the Grand Rapids area and is currently a student at Grand Valley State University studying biology with an emphasis in pre-veterinary studies. In her free time she enjoys reading, line dancing, caring for her house plants, and volunteering at a cat shelter. Her family also has a dog named Dexter.

Dr. Montagna is a 1990 Graduate of Colorado State University. After obtaining her doctoral degree, she returned to her home state of Michigan. Since then her veterinary experience has varied from associate, practice owner, relief, and shelter veterinarian. She began in mixed and exotic animal practice but now
concentrates on dogs and cats. Her interests are in preventative medicine, soft tissue surgery and alternative medicine. Outside of work she enjoys artwork of various kinds, fiber arts, writing, raising houseplants, and caring for her husband, Doug, three  dogs, five cats, an Amazon parrot, two aged goldfish and an ancient plecostomus.

Tanya is from Norton Shores, currently residing in Spring Lake with her husband Matthew, their dog Evelynn, and 5 cats. Tanya has been fostering with local cat rescue, Heaven Can Wait
Animal Haven, since 2018. She devotes much of her spare time to caring for her foster cats/kittens and volunteering for the rescue. She also enjoys video games and car shenanigans
with her husband.

Cara is a West Michigan native. She recently bought a house in the Whitehall area with her now husband and their zoo. Together they have three dogs, two cats, a rabbit, and several fish. Cara has worked with animals for several years now. She began working at area doggy daycares, but more recently has worked as a receptionist for an out-of-town vet clinic before coming to West Shore. In her spare time she loves to clean, explore outdoors, and spend time with friends and family. She loves all animals and enjoys seeing them everyday!

Makyla is a Grand Haven, MI native. She has a strong love for animals, which drove her to pursue a career in the veterinary world. She has two dogs, Kyzer and Zeeko. When she is not at work, she enjoys working on her home with her husband, Kevin. She also loves to fish, hunt and spend time with her family.

Shelby was born and raised in Grand Haven, Michigan. She graduated from Sanford Brown’s Veterinary Technician program in 2013. She has two dogs – Prim and Cozmo. The human-animal bond, as well animal behavior are some of her professional passions. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Dr. Heckler graduated from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. Happy childhood memories of Grand Haven Beach helped motivate her decision to move to Spring Lake in 1999. During the following 10 years, she practiced in clinics in Spring Lake and Grand Haven. Being exposed to so many clinics helped when designing West Shore Veterinary Clinic. She envisioned a space organized for patient comfort and staff efficiency. She shares her home with Ray, our practice manager, and four cats – Rory, Sam, Ellie, and Marcel Marceau.