Animal Alley Veterinary Hospital
Meet Our Team!
Our Veterinarians and team are animal lovers and dedicated to providing loving veterinary care to your beloved companions.
Get to Know Our Team!
We look forward to getting to know you and your pet. We hope you will take a moment to scroll down and get to know us. We are dedicated to you and your pet’s care.
Our Veterinarians
Dr. VanDaele
Veterinarian
Dr. VanDaele is originally from Northern Indiana and graduated from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. After practicing in the metro Detroit area for 8 years, he relocated to the Saginaw area in 2000. Dr. VanDaele and his wife, Danielle, opened Animal Alley Veterinary Hospital in January 2011. He has five children, who he loves dearly, and a variety of animals. Out of the office, Dr. VanDaele is active in professional and community organizations and loves to spend time with family and friends, playing poker, and spending time outdoors.
Dr. Fernandez
Veterinarian
I’m a veterinarian with a strong interest in veterinary surgery and exotic pet medicine, especially reptiles and pocket pets. My experience spans small-animal clinical work as well as marine veterinary medicine, where I’ve cared for a wide range of species, from marine mammals to aquatic reptiles. Outside of work, I’m happiest when I’m close to nature, whether that’s exploring the coast, diving, or getting involved in conservation projects. I also enjoy staying active through running, strength training, and hiking with my husband and our dog. I’ve been fortunate to work across diverse areas including wildlife and marine rehabilitation, conservation policy, and ecosystem restoration, all of which have shaped the holistic, science-driven approach I bring to my work every day.
Dr. Kellie Kokenakes (Joining us June 2026)
Veterinarian
Dr. Kellie Kokenakes grew up in Essexville. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Saginaw Valley State University and completed her DVM degree at Michigan State University. She has been married to her husband Henry since 2018. Together they have a 9 yr old black lab mix named Killian.
Hospital Manager
Megon
Practice Manager
Megon, LVT, earned her Veterinary Technician License from Baker College in 2008 and joined our team in December 2022. Megon is our “all gas, no brakes” on-site team leader! She helps facilitate success on our busy days and loves watching our team work as one to provide quality care for all animals. Megon owns and operates a quality breeding program of reining horses. She loves hunting and fishing and stays busy with her husband and their three children.
Our Technicians
Hannah
Technician
Hannah [aka Erena] joined our team in 2013. She received her Associate in Science in Veterinary Technology at St Petersburg College and has been working in veterinary medicine since 2006. Hannah loves her job and takes great pride in caring for senior and hospitalized patients. She also likes dentistry and educating pet owners. Hannah enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. She cares for their farm and pets and runs her own pet spa/exercise business.
Julie
Technician
Julie, LVT – joined our team in 2021. She earned her Veterinary Technician License from Brown Mackie in South Bend, Indiana. Julie is our most cheerful, positive, cat-loving gal! She says it was her best career choice to join the Animal Alley team. She likes all areas of veterinary medicine.
Kristina
Technician
Kristina joined our team in November 2023. She’s a Baker College Veterinary Technician program graduate with 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine. Her special interests are Anesthesia, Dentistry, and Reproduction. Kristina loves spending time with family and friends, horseback riding, camping, and fishing. Her favorite part of working for Animal Alley is the care and compassion every team member has for our patients and their pet parents.
Customer Service Representatives
Mary
CSR
Mary joined our team in 2013 and has been working in the veterinary field for over 25 years. She has a wealth of knowledge and keeps good humor, which makes work more fun. Mary loves being around animals, helping clients, and educating them on the needs of their pets. She enjoys time with family and grandkids, riding and showing her horses, cooking, taking photos, and traveling.
Ann
CSR
Ann joined our team in April 2023 after working directly with clients for over 40 years. She loves seeing all the pets and the compassion and care from our doctors and team. Ann’s dog, Grace, is spoiled rotten, and her kitty, Jerry, is in charge of the living room! She loves to garden, spend time with friends, and take mini vacations all year—her favorite is the beach and waves.
Shawna
CSR
Shawna joined our team in Jan 2024 with 17 years of customer service experience. She is friendly, kind, compassionate, and loves animals and helping people. “The power of medicine and healing” has always been an interest for Shawna. Away from work, she enjoys jigsaw puzzles, travel, and cooking. Shawna and her husband have two children, and they love their weekly game nights.
Kristy
Joined this team 05/2025 after working with specialty dr office for 18 years. Moved to mid michigan end of 2024. Love the space and peacefulness out here and everyone i meet is kind. I Love to read, cook, play games, have friends and family over to play games and i also love to plant flowers and vacation with my husband. I love working here because everyday I learn something new with the passion I see from the dr and my coworkers helping all family pets! I also love my dog Hazel!
Veterinary Assistants
Alan
Veterinary Assistant
Alan has been an Animal Alley team member since 2018. He is kind, a good listener, and gives people comfort when they are in need. He will do his best to make sure you leave our building feeling better than when you came through our doors. Away from work, Alan spends as much time with his four amazing sons as he can. He enjoys disc golf (way too much), reading (a lot), listening to music, going to museums, and helping at church.
Drew
Veterinary Assistant
Drew has been on our team since 2020 after working two years as a pet store assistant manager. She is in Veterinary Tech school at Penn Foster and mainly likes surgery. She also likes the variety of animals we help and talking to our clients. Drew has a smile so wide, she could eat a banana sideways! She has four sisters and likes to read, watch TV series, build with Legos, and go to concerts.
Kayla
Veterinary Assistant
Kayla joined our team in 2021. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from SVSU and aspires to be a Veterinary Technician. She prefers general wellness and one-on-one time with clients and patients. Kayla likes the variety of animals we see and making cool friendships on our team. She likes disc golf, dogs, movies, all kinds of food, summer, yard games, and all [competitive] games.
Kyle
I am a 3rd year pre-vet student at SVSU studying Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences. I plan to become a zoological veterinary and work with exotic mammals (my favorite are red pandas)! In my free time I enjoy reading, running, baking, and volunteering.
Libby
Veterinary Assistant
My name is Libby and I have been working at Animal Alley for over 2 years now. I am a Saginaw Valley State University student getting a bachelors in cellular and molecular biology. I enjoy painting and sewing in my free time as well as taking my dogs on a walk enjoying nature.
Tina DeSot
I am a 3rd year pre-veterinary student at Saginaw Valley State University studying cellular, molecular, and biomedical sciences with future aspirations to be a veterinarian! I love reading, playing volleyball, and spending time with friends, family and my fiancée.
Support Staff
Jewell London
I study at Delta College currently and start at SVSU in the fall of 2026 for a Bachelors in Biology. I aspire to be a veterinarian. I like surgery and the “gross” things. My favorite thing about AAVH is the variety of cases and species we see. You never know what the day will bring. Outside of work, I spend time with my husband and cats, fish, hunt, kayak, camp/backpack, and play video games/board games.