Katheryn E. Applegate DVM

Dr. Kathy Applegate has owned and operated Standale Veterinary Hospital since 1991.  A graduate of Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, she worked in a number of small animal practices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Holland, and Flint, Michigan before embarking on practice ownership.  Dr. Applegate has a special interest in laser surgery and dentistry and strives to provide the best in veterinary medicine, surgery and dentistry for your pet. 

Dr. Applegate is married to Dr. Jim Applegate, a family doctor with Advantage Health's Rivertown office.  They have three children, James, Anne and Mary.  Recently they added a son-in-law, Brandon Schumaker, who is married to Anne and a daughter-in-law, the former Sarah Boyke, who is married to James.  James is a foreign service officer currently working in Australia.  Anne is a nurse at Henry Ford West Bloomfield and Mary graduated from Albion College in May 2010.  The Applegates share their home with Boomer, a 6 year old labrador retriever, and Yukon, a 4 year old Bernese Mountain Dog.

In addition to practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Applegate enjoys raising puppies for Paws With A Cause, a local organization that trains service dogs for people with disabilities.  3 of the puppies she raised are now working with their disabled partners.  Her dogs, Boomer and Yukon, are former foster puppies who were not successful at service dog training.  She also enjoys hiking, skiing, scuba diving, swimming and bicycling.  She is a member of the alumni board of MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and a Steven Minister and member at Cornerstone Church.

Margaret Haverdink, LVT

Margaret joined our staff in 2004.  She attended Grand Valley
State University from 1999-2000, majoring in Biology.  From 2001-2004 she earned her degree in Veterinary Technology from Baker College.  Margaret married Kurt Haverdink in 2007.  They live in Hudsonville with 2 dogs, Bailey and Jessie and 2 cats, Orion and Scottie.  Besides veterinary medicine, Margaret enjoys gardening and crafts such as scrapbooking and beading.  Margaret is pictured with her dog, Bailey, a Shihtzu.

   Jennifer  May, Veterinary Assistant

Jen has been employed with Standale Veterinary Hospital for 5 years.  She began as a kennel attendant while still at Kenowa Hills High School and moved into her present position two years ago.  Jen is attending Baker College and studying to be a medical assistant.  Jen also works on her family's farm and at a weekly gardening job.  She also maintains the lawn and helps with the garden here in Standale.  Jen is pictured with her dog, Bridgette, a German Shorthair Pointer.  Jen enjoys hunting, gardening, bike riding, snowmobiling and working as a 4-H leader.  She also likes to spend time with her fiance, Wade.

Danelle Hemmes L.V.T

Danelle joined our staff in 2010 after completing an externship at Standale Veterinary Hospital and graduating from Baker College in Muskegon with her degree in Veterinary Technology.  She also earned her associate's degree in liberal arts from GRCC in 2007.  She is currently engaged and will be married in July of this year to her fiance, Stephan.  At home, Danelle has a black cat named Leroy.  Danelle is also employed at a dance studio in Walker where she teaches tap, jazz, and ballet.  In her spare time she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and dancing.

      Karen German, Kennel Attendant

Karen has had the longest path to Standale Vet!  She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri.  She received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Missouri Kansas City.  She was a Navy wife for 20 years and lived on both coasts as well as in the south.  She worked for the South Carolina Department of Social Services for over 11 years as a Family Independence Case Manager. Karen has two sons. Shane is single and lives in Washington  D.C.   Jason lives in Grand Rapids and is married to Michelle.  Jason and Michelle have three children, Conner, Ella and Hunter.  Karen wanted to be part of her grandchildren's lives while they were young.  This led her to move to Michigan and take a job with Charter Communications where she worked until she decided to pursue her passion for working with animals and apply for a job with us.  Karen enjoys traveling to visit family and friends all over the country.  She enjoys sports of all kinds and is a big Nascar fan.  Her favorite driver is Kevin Harvick.   Karen has a cat named Phoenix, but gives extra special attention to all the pet residents at Standale Vet  whom she refers to as "her babies".   Karen recently accepted a full-time job at Cintas, but continues to work here part-time as well. 

Stacie Kreiser - Kennel Attendant

Stacie is helping with animal care and hospital maintenance on her way to applying to veterinary school in the fall of 2011.  She is currently a student at Grand Valley State University in the pre-vet program.  She has also volunteered at the Humane Society of Kent County, and worked at the Animal Shelter and other animal hospitals.  She is doing an internship with USDA, investigating government careers available to (future) veterinarians.  Stacie has been a great help since Karen began working full-time elsewhere.