Our Careteam

Katie Neushwander
Office Manager
Katie grew up on a large farm south of Chicago, where she spent many hours with her family’s Cocker Spaniel and stayed active as a member of the 4-H program. She’s been passionate about animals ever since her earliest days! Now, she’s able to use her past management experience to serve the pets and animal owners of Ludington on a daily basis—Katie is the hospital’s Office Manager.

Katie moved to Michigan after high school and has lived in the area ever since. Before jumping headfirst into the veterinary world, she served as an Assistant Manager in the big-box retail industry until launching her own rental-property business (she owns five properties in Mason County!) and joining the Animal Hospital of Ludington family in March of 2018. Now, she gets to use her 15 years of past experience in administrative management to keep the clinic running like a well-oiled machine. Katie loves working behind-the-scenes to make sure each and every visitor to the clinic receives a top-notch experience, every single time.

When time permits away from work, Katie enjoys gardening and doing yard work, going for hikes and taking walks by the lake, and spending quality time with her family. She has two daughters: Kennedy, who just got her first job and will soon get her driver’s license, and Neela, who is already considering becoming a veterinarian when she gets older. The family shares their home with Carter, a loving and protective English Shepherd.
Faith Vidak
Senior Veterinary Assistant
Faith is a Ludington native and started showing animals like goats, rabbits, pigs, and horses as a member of the 4-H club as a young girl. She’s always had a natural affinity for the earth’s creatures—for her, caring for pets professionally just made sense! Faith loves to impact the lives of pets and their owners on a daily basis as one of the Animal Hospital of Ludington’s Senior Veterinary Assistants.

Faith first joined the clinic team as an intern, allowing her to supplement her studies in veterinary technology at Ashworth College with real-world animal-care experience. It wasn’t long before she had joined the team as an employee! Faith has been a member of the hospital family ever since. She especially enjoys educating clients on the importance of preventative care.

Outside of work, Faith’s interests include hiking at Ludington State Park, spending time at the gym (she became a certified group fitness instructor in 2017!), watching Disney movies, and enjoying the company of her own pets at home. She has two dogs—Roux, a German Shorthair Pointer with boundless energy, and an Australian Cattle Dog named Nova adopted from right here at the Animal Hospital of Ludington—as well as two horses. Faith has an American Saddlebred currently in training to begin her show career, and a horse named Willow who has been with Faith for more than 10 years. Together, they’ve won more than 300 first-place trophies and ribbons!
Tashina Powers
Senior Veterinary Assistant
Tashina has spent time around animals since the day she was born, including dogs and cats, horses, cows, pigs, hamsters, and fish. She’s always felt an innate connection with pets, and she wanted to serve as an advocate for those who can’t always speak up for themselves. That’s why Tashina decided to become a veterinary professional!

Tashina is originally from Custer and joined the Animal Hospital of Ludington’s care team as a Veterinary Assistant in the summer of 2018. She’s been caring for pets here ever since! Tashina finds that she has special passions for anesthesia and surgical work, and she loves to constantly learn something new. Above all, she likes knowing that she’s able to make a lasting difference for the families of the community.

When she’s not at work, Tashina can be found reading, watching classic Disney movies, kayaking, and spending quality time with her family. She has one dog at home: Jake, a Labrador mix who recently learned how to use his inside voice.
Ashley Hagan
Veterinary Assistant
Ashley’s love for pets was instilled in her by her grandmother, a huge animal-lover herself. Ashley has also always been fascinated by the world of medicine and science ever since she can remember. By working to better the lives of pets as a member of the veterinary profession, she gets to combine the best of both worlds! Ashely is a proud member of the hospital’s Veterinary Assistant team.

Ashley is originally from the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas, and moved to Ludington in May of 2019. It wasn’t long before she had signed on at the Animal Hospital of Ludington as a Veterinary Assistant. Ashley couldn’t be happier to launch her journey in veterinary medicine here at the clinic! She is particularly fond of helping with surgeries, studying samples in the lab, and helping owners with preventative care. Most of all, Ashley likes learning more on a daily basis in order to best serve the area’s adorable four-legged companions.

When she’s not at work, Ashley likes exploring her new town, taking photographs, and spending time with her family. She has two cats at home: Dexter, who mostly keeps to himself but enjoys the occasional cuddle; and a quirky Calico named Dumplin’ who can’t get enough attention.
Sara
Veterinary Assistant
Sara grew up in the country outside of Ludington with her parents and two brothers, and spent much of her childhood exploring the great outdoors. It wasn’t hard to develop a love for the earth’s creatures early on in life. Sara has always known that she would enjoy working hands-on to better the lives of pets! She’s able to do just that every day as a member of the hospital’s Veterinary Assistant team.

Sara used to work in the restaurant industry but knew that she wanted to do something more personally rewarding. She knew that veterinary care was her true calling! Sara joined the team here at the Animal Hospital of Ludington and now serves as a Veterinary Assistant—she loves the new challenges she faces every day, and finds that one of her favorite parts of the job is the way it constantly keeps her on her toes. Sara also loves to meet new pets and animal owners on a daily basis.

Outside of work, Sara likes paddle-boarding in the summers, reading, going for hikes with her dogs, and spending quality time with her friends and family. She and her husband have two canine companions at home, Rhyno and Millie, who are best friends and are rarely found apart.

  • What our clients have to say…

    • Kandi Miller

      my babyboy captain comes to you and he just loves you all

    • Brad Pinkerton

      Thank you to the staff at Animal Hospital of Ludington and especially Dr Paxton. We had no choice but to put our beloved Jasmine to sleep due to her condition. It was amongst the worst day of our lives. Dr Paxton and his wonderful staff treated us with the ultimate compassion and patience. The office even followed up within a few days later with a signed condolence card, a cast of her paw prints and a bottle with a bit of her fur. Janni and I are forever indebted to the kindness they showed to us. I HIGHLY recommend this office to anyone needing vet care for their pets.

    • Jacklyn Osgood

      Dr.'s Paxton and all the employees are professionals. Your furry friends will be getting excellent care. Totally recommend.

    • Rebecca Murphy

      Such a caring staff and doctors. They genuinely love animals and are so compassionate. After my dear cat Jade died at age 19, they sent me a condolence package - her paw prints in plaster & a little keepsake bottle with a lock of her hair. It came as a complete surprise about a week after she passed. Warmed my ♥️ more than I can express.

    • Jen Ely

      We've been taking our dogs here for the least 10+ years and they are compassionate and caring with our pets and very informative when special care is needed. Truly grateful they are our vet.

    • Laura Piacentini

      I can’t thank the staff at Animal Hospital of Ludington enough. We brought our boy Henrik to you while camping at the state park and you got us in right away and were so great with him. He is usually terrified at the vet and has a lot of anxiety but he LOVED the staff there and was very calm the whole time. Thank you for making us out of towners feel right at home.

    • Greg Mary Vukovich

      We would like to thank Dr. Steve and Dr. Leslie for being there for CB with excellent care.. Dr. Steve was there from the beginning and he made CB's transition at the end very peaceful and easy for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we are forever gratelful!!!!