The Haven Animal Hospital staff treats your pet like "one of the family". As all staff members are pet owners themselves, they know how important your pet's health care is to you. Below is a photo and short biography of each of our staff members.
Dr. Barbara Bytwerk
Dr. Bytwerk is both the owner and veterinarian at Haven Animal Hospital. She was born at North Ottawa Community Hospital in Grand Haven, Michigan and grew up in the Tri-cities area, graduating from Spring Lake High School. From here she moved to Colorado where she attended college, obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1990. Dr. Bytwerk spent her first year out of school at a busy multi-doctor, AAHA practice in the Detroit area. She then moved back to western Michigan and in 1993 she established Haven Animal Hospital. Dr. Bytwerk is a member of the MVMA, WMVMA, AVMA and is working towards board certification by the ABVP ( American Board of Veterinarian Practioners). Dr. Bytwerk has been married to her husband Tim for 20 years and they have three wonderful girls, Emma, Annie and Mae. They adopted their third child, Mae, from China in 2004. They live on a hobby farm with a collection of pygmy goats, chickens, horses, a dog, cats, pet rats, and birds as well as the frequent stray animal or injured wildlife.
Deb Karish
Deb is a life-long local gal who schooled K-12 in Spring Lake. She married her high school sweetie, Kent, in '73. They both grew up in homes filled with a variety of housepets, and brought that love of animals into their marriage as they raised their family. Though currently petless, their two married children (Chris & Stacy, Bethany & Josko) have blessed them with a grandcat and grandfish. Squirrels and birds frequent the backyard feeders, and their pool acts as seasonal host to migrating ducks. "Does it count that we keep two Impalas in the garage?" Deb serves Haven Animal Hospital as Office Manager and Receptionist.
Molly White
Molly is a Spring Lake High School grad, currently a senior at Michigan State University studying zoology/pre-vet. She enjoys riding horses for the MSU equestrian team and planning events for the MSU Horsemen's Association. During the summer she enjoys kayaking, running and spending time at the beach with her dog, Milo, an Australian cattle dog. Segovia is the family cat. Molly serves Haven Animal Hospital as a Veterinarian Assistant/Receptionist during the summer and holiday breaks. Perhaps someday she'll run the place!
Limbo
Limbo joined the staff at Haven Animal Hospital in July of 1993 as a computer assistant. She enjoys walking across the keyboard, helping you type and blocking the computer screen for attention. Limbo does most of her best work behind the scenes here at Haven Animal Hospital, but is available wherever help is needed. If you get to see her when you are at your next visit, give her a little pet. She loves that!
Glover
Glover joined the staff at Haven Animal Hospital in November of 2005 as our honorary clinic greeter. His hobbies include acting as a paper weight, being the center of attention, and giving a little bit of attitude. He looks forward to hopping up on the front desk to get your attention at your next visit.
Austin
Austin joined the staff of Haven Animal Hospital in March of 2007 as a stray cat up for adoption. Austin is still looking for a forever home, however, makes himself right at home here in the office. He spends most of his time in the pharmacy area sleeping behind the heartworm preventative, but can be found wandering throughout the clinic greeting people, or racing to a sink to get a drink. Austin LOVES to drink out of the faucet. He came to us as an older cat that was not too social. He now gets along with everyone; cats, dogs, and people alike. He is a wonderful cat that is willing to do his own thing as well as enjoy the company of a friend. He is fully vaccinated and Feline Leukemia/FIV tested. If this sounds like a good addition to your home, please stop in and talk to one of our staff members or contact our office at 616.847.7387.
