Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Bellaire Animal Hospital in Bellaire! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Please call us at 231-533-6522 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!
Dr. Pantenburg grew up on a dairy farm in Michigan, and attended Michigan State University for both her undergraduate education and veterinary school. She worked at the local Humane Society and at a small-animal clinic in Lansing during her studies, then moved to Texas after graduation to work in a 24-hour referral and specialty clinic. After several years of gaining invaluable experience there, Dr. Pantenburg moved on to day practice and developed a lasting interest in small animal medicine. Her special interests include animal behavior, dentistry, and particularly enjoys seeing puppies and kittens grow up into happy, healthy adult pets.
Upon moving back to Michigan, Dr. Pantenburg worked at a clinic in Grand Rapids for a few years before the opportunity arose to purchase Bellaire Animal Hospital. She couldn’t be happier to start meeting the pet owners of the community and tending to their loveable animal companions!
Dr. Pantenburg lives with her amazing boyfriend of 17 years; a pair of rescued cats named Moses and Milo; a rescued pit bull/Mastiff named Bru; a recently adopted pit mix puppy named Leonidas; and 7 lovely chickens that are more pet than farm animals. When she isn’t spending time with her own animal companions at home or tending to the area’s pets here at the hospital, Dr. Pantenburg loves adventuring in the great outdoors. She’s an avid kayaker, paddle-boarder, snowmobiler, and backpacker, and has trekked through Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and parts of the Appalachian Trail!
Lisa’s mother used to work as Bellaire Animal Hospital’s Office Manager, so Lisa has been involved with the clinic for a large portion of her life. She started working here when she was only 13 years old! For Lisa, working in the veterinary industry is more than just a career; it’s her life’s passion, and she’s incredibly proud to serve the pets and animal owners of Bellaire as a Veterinary Assistant here at the clinic.
Lisa studied at Ferris State University after high school, and worked in another veterinary clinic briefly when she moved to Fort Myers, Florida. Here at Bellaire Animal Hospital, she particularly enjoys seeing pets feel better after treatment and educating pet owners on the best possible care techniques for their animal companions.
Lisa has a 2 ½ yr old daughter, Audriana Marie. They share their home with two rescued pit bulls, Willow and Stella, as well as a cat named Mango who was rescued during Lisa’s time in Florida.
Sammantha grew up in Central Michigan in the small village of Shepherd. She grew up surrounded by animals, big and small. She began working with animals at the age of 7 at the local animal rescue and from there she expanded her reach slowly. She worked for a kennel/dog training facility several years later and then opened her own dog training business in Colorado Springs but wanted something more. She moved to IN and then began her work in the veterinary field as an assistant and loved it. 6 years later and here she is! She started working for us in January 2022 and has been a great addition to our team.
Her favorite aspect of the job is caring for the sick patients and helping with surgery. She loves sharing her knowledge with all the clients and seeing all the cute faces of our patients every day.
Sammantha and her fiance, Nathan, have 8 furry children at home along with 3 scaley children. They have 3 rescue dogs, Kamea, a pittie mix, Piper, an aussie mix, and Aelrik, a German Shepherd mix. They also have 5 rescue cats, Kalisto, Pippin, Killian, Methystos, and Minna. They have 2 snakes, Amaru and Nox, along with 1 day gecko, Kyanos.
Outside of work Sammantha enjoys hiking and anything outdoors as well as spending time with family, friends, and her furry children. She loves Disney everything and tries to read at least 100 books a year.
Taylor grew up in the area and has bounced around between Antrim and Kalkaska county throughout the years. She has been in the veterinary field for a couple years now but it has always been her passion. She has five cats, a senior dog, Duke and a cute boston terrier named Iggy.. Her happiest place is when she is surrounded by her furry loved ones. Her favorite part about working in veterinary medicine is helping animals and their owners. She has a warm spirit and puppies and kittens especially love her, as do our clients.
When she’s not at work Taylor likes to relax with a cat on either side of her while watching TV, or get smooshed by her 75lbs dogs’ cuddles! Otherwise she likes to go for runs or hikes, paint, or sleep!
One of Tayor’s biggest life goals is to own a cat cafe where you can come and drink coffee and play with adoptable kitties!
Riley has always wanted to work with animals, like so many do, but she made it a reality when she was just 14 years old. She was working at Mancelona Vet Hospital as a kennel attendant until she started working for us August 2023.
Riley is wanting to become a Veterinarian and will begin taking classes for her undergrad at Arizona State University next year! She is so excited!
When she is not working, she is spending time with all her 2 dogs, Stormy and Dasher, and her cat, Nutmeg. She also loves to read and bake yummy goodies! Her goal is to rescue senior pets so that have a comfy home to live out the remainder of their life!
Alex has always loved working with and owning animals. Growing up, he and his family took in and cared for over 30 kittens and cats that needed a good home! Whether the aforementioned cats, dogs, birds, guinea pigs, goldfish, saltwater fish, or chickens; animals have always been a part of Alex’s life. While finishing his Associate's Degree in Science at Northern Michigan College, he started working for a local non-profit animal shelter. While there, Alex not only took care of the animals daily, but was instrumental in fund raising activities. After “dipping his toes” into the world of helping animals, Alex wanted more and decided to join our team. When he is not working, Alex loves spending time with his two pups: a Cane Corso/ Pitbull mix named Lasha and a German Shepherd/ Husky/ Rottweiler mix named Max. Let’s not forget the cats at home always vying for his attention! Alex loves creating art and you can often find him fishing on summer evenings. Alex’s goal is to help and improve as many pet lives as possible. Folks often compliment Alex on his capable, compassionate care which makes the patients and their owners feel at ease.
Ann has adored animals for as long as she can remember, and she’s a natural caregiver—she worked for many years in an emergency room treating human patients. After her retirement, Ann decided to put her professional background and her love of the earth’s creatures to good use. She now serves the pets and animal owners of the area as a member of the Bellaire Animal Hospital family!
Ann was born and raised in Ann Arbor, and moved to the Bellaire area after retiring from her position as Pulmonary Nurse Coordinator at the University of Michigan’s Health Center. Shortly afterward, she brought her own dog to the clinic for treatment of an ear infection, which is when she met Dr. Pantenburg. The rest, as they say, is history! Ann joined the Bellaire Animal Hospital team shortly after her initial visit, and now works as a Vet Assistant and receptionist.
Ann is married and has two grown children. Ann and her husband share their home with two rescued dogs, Scooter and DJ. Ann is an avid golfer and has met many PGA golfers over the years. She even got the opportunity to chat with the late Arnold Palmer at his home course in Orlando, Florida!
Shari has loved animals since she was a little girl and has had jobs working with them when she lived in the middle of the mitten. She moved to Northern Michigan about 8 years ago and she started working here in March 2023 and has loved it! She has been a great addition to our team and plans on continuing growing in the veterinary field!
When she is not at work, she is spending time with her sweet dog, Odin and her 3 cats, Clyde, Kit Kat and Mo Mo. She loves to spend time outside in her garden and enjoying the fresh air. She recently married her partner, Max, after 10 years of being together. They live very happily in a wonderful little cabin in Kalkaska.
Long before she was employed here at Bellaire Animal Hospital, Terri was a client of the practice. Her family moved to Bellaire in 1968, and they’ve been bringing their pets here ever since. Now, Terri gets to indulge her passion for animal care on a regular basis as a member of the Bellaire Animal Hospital team!
Terri works full-time as an optician through the week, and cares for the clinic’s boarding pets on the weekends. She joined the hospital family about four years ago after being invited to work here part-time. Terri has a particular interest in natural healing techniques, and is constantly amazed by the way that natural remedies can enhance a pet’s recovery and overall well-being.
When she isn’t working, attending dog shows, or going to barrel races, Terri enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She’s married to her husband, Bruce, and has an adult son named Michael who has two daughters of his own. At home, Terri and her husband live with a Paint Quarter Horse named Dancer; three English Springer Spaniels named Sadie, Jake, and Kate; an English Cocker Spaniel who goes by Sophi; and seven quirky cats: Loki, Socks, Smudge, Jazz, Rucks, Moxie, and Samantha.
Dave is a Bellaire Animal Hospital jack of all trades. He's the gardener when the grass needs mowing, the handyman when something needs to be fixed, the IT guy when the computers stop working...the receptionist, surgical assistant, whatever. You name it, Dave does it.
Dave came to our clinic with Dr Pantenburg but was an animal lover long before he met Dr P.
Dave grew up in Williamsport, PA in an animal loving home with cats, dogs, chickens, goats and even hamsters. After graduating from college, he moved to Dallas, TX and founded an online apartment company. It was there that he met Dr Pantenburg and they moved to Michigan. When Dave isn't helping out at the animal hospital, he's operating the Grand Traverse Photobooth Company.
Dave enjoys living in Northern Michigan and all that it has to offer - kayaking, hiking, biking and photography.
