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Veterinarian and Owner
Emily grew up in the northwestern corner of Oregon surrounded by a menagerie of pets. Because of her love for hunting and fishing, she pursued a Fisheries and Wildlife Degree from Oregon State University. After graduating, Emily was hired as a biologist in Wyoming where she met her husband, Jim. It was there while working with wildlife diseases that she discovered a passion for veterinary medicine. Emily attended Colorado State University and graduated in May of 2022 with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree. She worked in Wyoming at a fast paced, rural mixed animal practice after graduation and then transitioned to relief work traveling to other locations in Wyoming, Nebraska, Oregon, and Michigan. She recently relocated to the UP after working in Marquette as a relief veterinarian. She enjoys working with her small animal patients and their parents. Emily is looking forward to becoming a permanent member of the community.
Associate Veterinarian
Before she even knew precisely what veterinary medicine was, Dr. Jennifer Aschenbrener enjoyed many aspects of the profession. She had always been fascinated by science, and she loved using her critical-thinking skills to solve puzzles. Plus, she’s had a lifelong love for animals that hasn’t wavered to this day! For Dr. Aschenbrener, a career in the veterinary world just made perfect sense.
Dr. Aschenbrener was born in Erie, Pennsylvania but moved to Carleton, Michigan with her family at the age of 12. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in biology from Siena Heights University in Adrian, then attended Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to secure her Doctorate. Dr. Aschenbrener took a job in Lincoln, Michigan after graduation, where she got to work with everything from dogs, cats, and horses to cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Two years later, she relocated and joined the team at a practice in Albion, which she would eventually purchase in July of 2004.
Dr. Aschenbrener continued to own and operate her practice in Albion for the next 14 years, serving as an adjunct professor at Albion College’s Institute of Healthcare Professionals and also serving as an expert witness in court to help the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department investigate animal neglect and cruelty cases. She and her husband purchased property in the Upper Peninsula in 2013 with plans to eventually move to the area, and Dr. Aschenbrener sold her practice to her friend and Associate Veterinarian before relocating to this area in June of 2019. She joined the Animal Medical Center of Marquette family that July and has been caring for the pets and animal parents of the area ever since!
Away from work, Dr. Aschenbrener enjoys reading good books; skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the winter; riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle; drawing and painting; running (she’s even done a few half-marathons!); and spending quality time with her family and pets. She and her husband, Tom, have a son named Rudy and also share their lives with four cats. The animal portion of the family includes two dogs named Caruso and Dave, as well as a mischievous cat named TinTin and a grey tabby who goes by Johnny Cash.
Practice Manager
Rachel embodies the role of our exuberant Veterinary Practice Manager, infusing our hospital with her unwavering dedication and questionable humor. She fosters a nurturing environment for our clients, patients, and colleagues. Her compassion extends to pesky clinic mice and dingy seagulls with broken wings. Recently, we suspect she’s plotting the capture of a three-legged, one-eyed cat to complete her collection (If you find one, you may drop it off in her office. No questions asked!).
This journey into the world of veterinary medicine began with a leap from the bustling streets of Chicago to the tranquil woods of the U.P., all in pursuit of a B.S. Degree in Business Management. Her passion for advocating for creatures who cannot speak for themselves fuels her commitment to creating a space where animals and humans feel understood and cared for with boundless empathy. Just ask the Menominee River frogs, minnows, and crawfish—they’ll tell you about her “gentle” touch (I love this concept, but this sounds like you mass-murdered crabs) from back in the early 2000s.
Rachel quickly found her place at Animal Medical Center in 2021, initially as a Veterinary Assistant. With a keen interest in musculoskeletal function in working-line breeds and geriatrics, Rachel’s passion shines, earning her the title of winner at Northern Michigan University’s College of Business’s “The Big Pitch” competition. Her winning idea? Superior K9 Aquatic Therapy, complete with animal-specific underwater treadmills—a testament to her fusion of business acumen and attraction to canine PT.
And let’s not forget her faithful companion Napalm (or Palmer, Palm Tree, Petri Dish—depending on the day). This trained personal protection GSD, hailing all the way from Czechoslovakia, keeps her safe and grounded—though his penchant for weasel antics might suggest otherwise. Speaking of which, have you had the pleasure of meeting our clinic’s resident bird, “Goose”? Trust us, you’re in for a treat!
Veterinary Assistant, Inventory Management
Shelby was born and raised in Marquette, Michigan, and takes pride in being a Yooper. She attended Marquette Senior High School, where she was a varsity diver, a violinist in the orchestra, and a member of the National Honor Society. She studied biology and physiology at NMU as a student of the pre-vet program and plans to return Fall of 2024 to complete her degree and attend veterinary school after that.
When she is away from AMC, Shelby likes to read, cuddle with her two French Bulldogs, and spend time with her husband. She loves to cook, swim, spend time with family, and take many, many naps.
Shelby has been a member of the AMC team in some capacity since 2013 – first as a Health-Occupations high school student, then as a college student at Northern Michigan University, and now as a veterinary assistant. She has been officially on the payroll since 2018. She manages inventory and orders all the supplies and medications that allow us to care for your pets, but her favorite part of the job is helping animals feel better. Whether assisting in surgery, running labs, or seeing appointments, Shelby is dedicated to patient care and takes pride in a job well done. She is passionate about internal medicine, veterinary nutrition, soft-tissue surgery, and client education. She enjoys building lasting relationships with clients and their pets. Shelby loves being a member of an AAHA-accredited hospital that focuses on gold-standard patient care – allowing her to continue to grow her skills and learn – and that makes creating a Fear-Free environment for patients a priority. Making a difference in the community and pet’s lives makes every day worth the hard work.
Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician
Meet Shana. She has been an LVT with us since 2007 and is happy to call the Upper Peninsula and the Animal Medical Center of Marquette home. She’s generally interested in everything we do but has a love of anesthesia, dentistry and senior care. She is always excited about developing new skills and emerging medicine but tempers it with a practical approach. She shares her home with one dog, two cats and a flock of chickens.
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Alex, even as a young child, greatly enjoyed the company of animals. Though Alex at first took to dogs, she has grown to appreciate and admire animals of all shapes and sizes. That appreciation grew into a genuine desire to help and care for those animals she held so dear. Following her passion, Alex began working at Animal Medical Center as a Veterinary Assistant. Over the next several years, Alex studied in Purdue University’s Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program and after completion was licensed as a Veterinary Technician in 2023.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys hiking the great outdoors of Marquette, Michigan, where she was born and raised. Alex participates in a women’s volleyball league, is a member of the Marquette Choral Society, as well as an avid reader. In addition, Alex has raised, trained and socialized nine puppies as a Volunteer Puppy Raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind, as well as assisting and supervising other Volunteer Puppy Raisers as a Puppy Counselor. Of those nine, Alex has adopted two as pets; Ardyn and Xander, after they were Career Changed. Ardyn now works as a licensed Therapy Dog at Marquette Area Public Schools, and Xander is Alex’s joyful and exuberant companion. Alex hopes to follow her desire of bettering the lives of animals of all shapes and sizes for many years to come.
Licensed Veterinary Technician, Workflow Coach
Originally from Central Indiana, Emma is a Licensed Veterinary Technician with a love for all creatures. Since graduating from tech school in 2020, she’s thrived in a fast-paced environment, bringing her skills and compassion to caring for animals.
Outside of the clinic, Emma enjoys hitting the pavement for distance runs and exploring the outdoors on adventures. When she’s not whipping up delicious meals or indulging in her love of baking, you might find her curled up with a good Christmas movie (she’s a true enthusiast!) or crocheting cozy creations.
At home, Emma’s furry companions bring her endless joy. Toby, her Bichon Frise, is her constant companion with an undeniable love for squeaker toys. Dexter, her feline friend, is a champion sunbather who adds a touch of zen to her days.
When it’s time for a getaway, Emma loves being the road-trip car DJ, creating the perfect soundtrack for any adventure. No matter where life takes her, Emma is sure to embrace it with a smile and a sense of wonder.
Veterinary Assistant
Sofia van den Ende has been an employee at the Animal Medical Center since January of 2021. She found her passion for veterinary medicine when she took the position at AMC as a receptionist, and she knew she wanted to work with animals ever since. Sofia is currently enrolled in Purdue’s Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program, so that she can further her education regarding veterinary medicine and become a licensed veterinary technician. Sofia’s animals Ranger and Silvia empower her to have compassion and provide quality care to all of her patients; She understands that your animal is more than a pet, they are family. In her free time Sofia enjoys hiking with her dog, gardening, baking, fishing, and traveling. Her overall goal is to provide the best possible care to your furry friend.
Veterinary Assistant
Sarah’s journey in animal care is a testament to resilience and unwavering passion. After bravely overcoming cancer, she found renewed purpose in working with animals, particularly cats and large Animals. Her path began not in veterinary medicine, but amidst the suds and brushes of a dog grooming salon. Sarah yearned for a deeper connection with animals, leading her to pursue a career as a veterinary assistant.
Equipped with a “Fear Free” certification for both small animals and equines, Sarah became a calming presence for even the most anxious creatures. Her clinic witnessed a transformation – the once nervous meows and whinnies were soothed by her gentle touch and understanding demeanor. This expertise made her a valuable asset, especially when dealing with the often-unpredictable world of large animals or angry cats.
When Sarah’s not working her magic at the clinic, she’s surrounded by her own creatures.. Jaz, a majestic bay horse, provides a sense of adventure, while Gabby, a crazy poodle, offers endless cuddles. Rhett, the Maine Coon, adds a touch of regality to the mix. Whether it’s spending quality time with family, cruising down the road in her truck, or competing at horse shows with Jaz, Sarah finds joy in connecting with animals and the people who love them. Her dream of working with large animals like horses burns brightly, but for now, she’s content to be the trusted confidante of creatures, big and small. Sarah’s story is a testament to resilience, a love for animals, and the unwavering belief that sometimes, the greatest adventures come after taking a leap of faith.
Lead Client Service Representative
Abby is thrilled to be a part of the awesome team at AMC! Her background includes experience in occupational therapy, podiatry, and optometry, but don’t let that fool you! She is a lifelong animal lover as well. Abby is a Marquette native and lives here with her cat, Ms Kitty, and dogs, Dega and Bristol. Outside of work, she enjoys being outside, volunteering for Courage Incorporated, singing, and reading. She is also an avid Jeopardy fan! Abby is looking forward to meeting all the fabulous clients and patients at AMC!
Social Media Coordinator
Megan is an Upper Peninsula transplant who grew up in the Mitten. She has been fascinated with animals for as long as she can remember and has always been surrounded by pets. As a child she could be found knee deep in a creek or 10 feet up in a tree trying to get a closer look at the wildlife in her area. She enjoyed finding critters, reading about them, and making artwork based on what she observed. At that time her favorite wild animal was the black-capped chickadee. Her favorite domestic animal was her beagle, Pete.
Megan’s relationship with the Animal Medical Center started when she brought her Aussie, Scout, in for an initial exam. AMC’s caring, Fear Free atmosphere and incredible staff made an immediate positive impression. She knew that she had found a very special place.
Megan attended Northern Michigan University for her B.S. in Biology and went on to study Science Education at Tennessee Technological University. While earning her M.A., she had the opportunity to work in a fungal ecology laboratory at the University, participating in both field and lab work. She spent summers on catch, sample, and release projects for salamanders, snakes, bats, and fish throughout the Southeastern U.S. She taught middle school science during the school year.
After graduate school, Megan moved to Boston and continued to teach middle school Engineering and Science. While there, she volunteered with the New England Aquarium, which furthered her love for animals and conservation work. The combination of educational and scientific work that she was able to do solidified her need to work in spaces where animals and humans meet. She found that there was joy in helping people to love and understand both wild animals and domesticated pets.
Megan has always been committed to the exceptional treatment of people and their pets. Having a dog who needs lots of support for anxiety, she understands the necessity of relationship building in quality medical care. She knows what it feels like to walk into a clinic and feel seen, and she strives to provide that level of care to everyone whom she encounters at AMC.
Today, Megan is a Client Services Specialist at AMC while also working as an adjunct professor and program director at NMU. She feels very lucky to be able to work in two fields that are so close to her heart. Her current favorite wild animal is the jellyfish. Her favorite pet is a several-way tie (Scout, if you’re reading this, you’re obviously the goodest girl. Don’t tell the others.). While she climbs trees less frequently these days, you can still find her knee-deep in a river, observing all that is beautiful and alive.
Client Service Representative
Meet Jackie, one of our Customer Service Representatives. Jackie grew up in downstate Michigan near Ludington. Since she was little, Jackie has always loved the outdoors, especially the wildlife.
Jackie moved up to Marquette in August of 2021 to start her college education at Northern Michigan University studying ecology. Her favorite thing about Marquette is all the beautiful outdoor scenery. Jackie is currently a junior at NMU and hopes to use her degree and experience to work in the wildlife rehabilitation field. While Jackie is new to veterinary medicine, she has the experience to ensure you and your pet have a memorable time at AMC!
Since she was little, Jackie has had a passion for helping animals of all shapes and sizes. Though she didn’t have a specific “dream job” she knew she wanted to work in an animal related field, so getting the chance to gain knowledge and experience at AMC was the perfect opportunity! Not only does Jackie enjoy meeting and getting to know our clients and their furry friends, she is especially grateful for all wonderful and welcoming staff as well as the friendships she’s made at AMC.
While Jackie loves each of our patients the same, she has a soft spot for Dobermans as she grew up with them. So beware, if you bring your dobe into the office, she might not let you take them home!
