BCAH Team

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Dr. Sainsbury has always known a passion and love for animals. When she was only 3 years old her mother was alarmed to find her petting her uncle’s bull while he munched on hay; seemingly enjoying the curious toddler talking to him! As a young child, she managed to convince her dad while trick or treating to take a “free puppy” from a house. This is the dog she knew as a constant companion until sadly, he was put to rest at the ripe-old-age of 16! 

She chose to open the Byron Center Animal Hospital in 2006 with the goal of providing all animals with the highest quality, most compassionate care possible. She is extremely dedicated to her patients and human care-givers and feels very strongly that like us, our pets deserve the optimum in health and happiness. She thrives on the bond she creates with both her patients and clients! 

Prior to opening the Byron Center Animal Hospital, Dr. Stephanie worked doing emergency and critical care at a 24 hour care facility. She completed her undergraduate degree from Lake Superior State University and veterinary degree from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario. Her hometown is in Canada, but she now lives here with her husband, Jeff, who has always called Grand Rapids home. They have one son, Zach, that they welcomed into their family in 2013. To keep him company, they have Cliff, a rescued mastiff mix, and a cat named Jack. Dr. Sainsbury loves to watch Zach giggle and play with his four-legged siblings! In her spare time, Dr. Sainsbury enjoys mountain bike racing, hiking and reading. She has always had a love of the outdoors and nature. Whenever she is able, she will gather up Zach, Cliff and Jeff and head outside! 

Dr. Phoebe Miedema joined BCAH in August 2018.  Dr. Phoebe grew up in Portage, Michigan and has always had a deep-rooted love of animals and a passion for the human-animal bond.  She grew up showing horses in 4-H, a hobby that carried over to the MSU Equestrian team during her undergraduate years.  

Dr. Phoebe and her husband Alex enjoy spending time outside together.  On the weekend, they can usually be found on the lake, hiking or in Spartan Stadium for MSU football games.  They have one dog, Bailey, a foxhound mix who knows every trick in the book!  Dr. Miedema also has a Quarter Horse gelding named Zip and enjoys trail riding in Northern Michigan.

Dr. Phoebe attended Michigan State University for both undergraduate and veterinary school.  She found her true passion in small animal medicine during her final year of clinical rotations with a special interest in behavior, and internal medicine.  Before joining the team at BCAH, she practiced at a small animal hospital in North Muskegon.  Dr. Phoebe is committed to helping your pet live a long, healthy, happy life and is excited to meet you and your four-legged companion!

Renee recently joined our administrative team in March of this year as the Practice Manager at BCAH. She grew up on the east side of Michigan in Port Huron, but has quickly fallen in love with Grand Rapids where she now lives with her rescue mutt Salem. 

Her bond with animals began at age six when her parents took her to a small animal pet store and said she could pick out anything she wanted- she picked a rat! From there came more rats and eventually her first dog, a beagle named Spud. 

Renee started her career in human medicine after earning her Master’s Degree from Wake Forest University in North Carolina. She worked several years in cardiac and pulmonary rehab before moving to Grand Rapids and exploring opportunities in business management which has now led her to the BCAH family. 

Renee enjoys everything outdoors especially exploring new running trails and paddle boarding with her dog Salem. She also enjoys several recreational sports leagues including basketball, soccer and volleyball. Renee’s favorite time of the year is the beautiful Michigan summer and likes to fit in weekend road trips to the lake or camping trips wherever she can. 

Nelae has been with BCAH almost a year now and appreciates the community feel of our practice and how close the client relationships are. She lives in the area with her husband and their two cats; Peifers and Solomon.

Nelae’s lifelong adventure with animals began at home where she grew up on a sheep farm. She helped raise and show sheep in 4H and FFA. She also learned how to care for livestock, cats, dogs and geese on her Grandpa’s farm. Her daily responsibilities working on these farms established a respect and passion for animal care very early on.

After high school Nelae went on to college and fast tracked right into a veterinary technician program. Nelae came to BCAH with five years of experience in both general practice and emergency hospital settings.

Outside of work you can fine Nelae at the gym or hiking. She also tends to her aero garden and succulents obsessively. Whatever Nelae is doing, she tries to spend it within the company of her husband and cats. 

  Jonelle became a team member at BCAH in November 2015. She brings a lot of expertise to our practice having been working in the veterinary field since 2001! Jonelle enjoys working with our pet owners and strives to treat every pet as if they were her very own!

Jonelle shares her home with three cats - Augustus, Corbin, and Norton, and two dogs - Camille, a Maltese mix, and Andy, a Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix. They’re quite a mix!

When Jonelle is not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends while camping or sightseeing in Northern Michigan, attending Grand Rapids Griffin’s hockey games, running a variety of 5K races, partaking in a great microbrew, or socializing her pups at the Grand Ravines or Wyoming Dog Park. Jonelle also volunteers with BeNice.org and Habitat for Humanity. You may also find her at various other dog or cat benefit events throughout the year, so be sure and say hi if you see her!

Caylin is always there to greet our clients as they first come through the doors at BCAH and will often times be the one checking the furry patients in. Caylin graduated from Grand Valley State University and has over eight years of experience in the veterinary field. 

Passion and respect for animals and the people that call them family were values instilled in Caylin at an early age. These values are evident in the work she does as a receptionist and the unconditional care she gives to everyone. 

Caylin lives in the area with her husband and together they share their home and hearts with one canine child and four feline children. Kenzie is a rambunctious nine-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix and Sonoma, Maverick, Nigel and Miss Jolie round out the cat gang. It’s a full house, but Caylin says she wouldn’t have it any other way. Outside of work Caylin enjoys getting out locally and shopping. She also enjoys traveling and spending time family and friends.