Meet Our Team

Doctors

Dr. Mike Van Horn

Practice Owner and Medical Director since 2005

Dr. Van Horn's Bio

Dr. Mike Van Horn received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oklahoma State University in 1993 and a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Biology) from Union College. While in school, Dr. Mike enjoyed working in Alaska and experiencing companion animal veterinary practice in New Zealand. After practicing on the east coast for several years, Dr. Mike and family relocated to the Greater Puget Sound area in 1996, where he has been engaged in small animal practice exclusively ever since. Dr. Mike Van Horn’s professional interests include orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and medicine for all life stages. Dr. Mike is a Seahawks fan and enjoys old time radio shows, reading, boating, and playing with his children. Dr. Mike and his family enjoy a myriad of pets, including 5 cats, 3 dogs, and a herd of Arabian horses.

Dr. Kristina Van Horn

Practice Owner since 2005

Dr. Van Horn's Bio

Dr. Kristina (“Keena”) Van Horn received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University in 1993 and her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Cook College/Rutgers University in 1989. Her practice career led her from mixed animal practice to exclusive companion animal practice in referral and critical care settings as well as primary care. Her professional interests include feline medicine, pain control, Fear-Free practice, ophthalmology, acupuncture, and behavioral medicine. While Dr. Keena is not available for appointments at Woodside Animal Hospital at this time, her many years at Woodside helped shape the culture of patient care and resulted in many permanent improvements addressing feline specific needs to alleviate stress at veterinarian visits. Her contributions at this time include continued collaboration about the practice’s vision and growth as well as helping the staff disseminate important medical and behavioral information via the many client support handouts she has produced over the years.

Dr. Katrina Backus

Veterinarian

Dr. Backus' Bio

Dr. Katrina Backus received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 2013 but has been in the veterinary field for over 10 years. Dr. Backus is particularly interested in the human-animal bond and working with clients to create plans best tailored to their pet’s needs. She also has advanced training in surgery (particularly in orthopedics), and wound management.

On her downtime, Dr. Backus enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and their plethora of four-legged animals, as well. We would like to thank Dr. Backus for saving animal’s lives, but we would also like to thank her husband for serving our country (he is in the Air Force).

Dr. Stephanie Crowson

Veterinarian

Dr. Crowson's Bio

Dr. Stephanie Crowson received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 2015. Before that she received a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Truman State University, which included studying conservation and wildlife care abroad in South Africa. Dr. Crowson enjoys working with all species of animals and the people who love them. On her days off, she enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband, son, border collie mix, and Russian tortoise.

Licensed Veterinary Technicians

You can be pictured here. We are always interested in meeting experienced licensed veterinary technicians. Visit our Join Our Team page for details.

Melissa

Lead Licensed Technician at Woodside Since 2011

Melissa's Bio

Melissa was raised in Allyn, Washington. Her love for animals started at an early age and led her to join 4-H. She graduated from Pierce College with a degree in Veterinary Technology in 2000. Since then, she has worked with animal rescues, shelters, and private practices. Melissa has dogs, cats, and parrots; with a preference for cats. Melissa is a great technician with a big heart. She has become a very valuable part of our team and is unofficially known as “the organizer”. Her efforts in organizing help keep us in top shape, ensuring that we are always in order and ready for the next patient. When Melissa is not working at Woodside Animal Hospital, she is working at her husband’s nursery or volunteering with botanical groups like Rare Care Plant Conservation or Washington Native Orchid Society. Additionally, she enjoys petroglyph photography and hiking.

Indy

Licensed Technician at Woodside since 2015

Indy's Bio

Indy values both the medical and emotional side of her profession, and readily drops everything to make sure pets are seen with an empathetic hand. She graduated from Pierce College as a licensed Veterinary Technician in 2015, but has worked at Woodside Animal Hospital since 2013 (she began as a volunteer)! Indy has always believed working with animals and being a nurse is the perfect career for her. As a technician, Indy enjoys hematology (the study of blood) and can be found either in our lab or assisting our doctors during dental procedures. In her personal time, Indy can’t be kept away from the great outdoors—she even gets in her Jeep and comes to work when Port Orchard shuts down during snowstorms!

Indy also oversees our Instagram page.

Brynn

Licensed Technician at Woodside since 2007

Brynn's Bio

Brynn was born and raised in Gig Harbor and is a 1999 Graduate of Gig Harbor High School. She has worked in the veterinary field since 2002. She graduated from Pierce College Veterinary Technology in 2007 and has been a Licensed Veterinary Technician at Woodside Animal Hospital ever since. We are fortunate to have had Brynn as part of our team since she started her career as an LVT. She is a stellar technician who takes her job very seriously and still is able to be a fun-loving, animal loving person who likes to laugh and have a good time while she works. She enjoys working with dogs and cats but also likes and has experience working with exotic pets and small ruminants. Brynn and her husband, Daniel, are enjoying their two daughters Mary and Charlie. In her spare time, Brynn enjoys walking with her mom, traveling, camping, kayaking, skiing, cooking; and watching her dog, 2 cats, 6 hens, 2 pullets, and her rooster known as Foghorn grow up.

Jessica

Licensed Technician at Woodside since 2018

Jessica's Bio

Jessica is the medical professional that eats, breathes, and lives to be a technician. Woodside was fortunate to bring Jessica on staff in December 2018 while she was completing her degree at PIMA Institute. She graduated in April 2019 and has not stopped learning! Although she is currently focused on specializing in animal behavior training and is certified in Fear Free practices, she takes classes in any area available to her. As our Community Outreach Organizer, Jessica helps us engage with various Port Orchard events and remain an active part of the community we love! When Jessica isn’t helping in the surgery suite or supporting patients on their way to recovery, she enjoys spending time with her kids and fiancé, baking/cooking, and occasionally enjoying a glass of wine!

Veterinary Assistants

Jordan

Kennel Manager and Veterinary Assistant at Woodside since 2017

Jordan's Bio

Jordan was born in Virginia and has lived in multiple states, including Minnesota, Florida, and Hawaii, throughout her childhood. When Jordan was a young adult, she moved to Washington State. Jordan has a well-versed background in the veterinary industry and experience with a variety of animals. Since she was 14 years old, Jordan was competing in horse shows regularly and was involved with animals whenever possible. Before joining our team, Jordan has previous experience as a Receptionist and Veterinary Assistant. The knowledge and experience that Jordan brings to our staff have been a terrific asset. Jordan’s ability to recognize animal’s cues and provide what they need to be healthy and feel comfortable is something place a lot of value in here. Jordan lives with her two dogs, Kinleigh, a Blue Heeler and Arlo, Chihuahua, her horse, VooDoo, and her three cats, O’Malley, Eli, and Rebel. Jordan loves to do activities that involve the great outdoors such as, kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking.

Amber

Veterinary Assistant at Woodside since 2019

Amber's Bio

Every veterinary team should have a lightning fast team member, and Amber is our speedy one. If something needs to get done, it’s likely that Amber has started it before anyone else realizes it needs attention! With a kind heart and drive to always push herself, we are glad to have Amber as part of our team!

Jocelyn

Kennel Attendant and Veterinary Assistant at Woodside since 2019

Jocelyn's Bio

Jocelyn never sits down and is always eager to learn new things. Jocelyn is the person who never complains about coming to work early, leaving late, or helping teammates with shift coverage. Always a softy for pets in need, it is not uncommon to see Jocelyn giving a little extra attention to strays or boarders who need some time getting adjusted to their new environment.

Gabriel

Veterinary Assistant at Woodside since 2019

Gabriel's Bio

Gabriel originally joined Woodside as a part-time kennel attendant, but his compassion with sick pets made it clear that he belonged with the medical team full-time. His upbeat, positive personality often inspires the team and it is hard to imagine a time without him!

Client Service Coordinators

Nora

Client Services Supervisor and Laser Therapy Technician at Woodside since 2017

Nora's Bio

Nora has been focusing on client care as a receptionist since 2017. With a genuine and tender heart, clients and patients alike have found comfort in Nora’s support over the years. Wanting to expand her role at Woodside, and having a background in human medicine, Nora recently trained to become our laser therapy technician. She has far exceeded our expectations and many patients are healing much quicker with her help. Please call or email us if you would like to learn more about laser therapy.

Ashton

Client Services Supervisor at Woodside since 2019

Ashton's Bio

Ashton has been around large animals her entire life. As an equestrian and dog lover, she has always understood the importance of keeping pets healthy so as to nurture the human-animal bond. With an outgoing but compassionate personality, Ashton helps clients feel at ease when they visit Woodside. Her compassion with animals and natural ability to relate with clients has made her a great asset to our team! Ashton also contributes to our Facebook Page!

Ashlee

Client Service Coordinator at Woodside since 2015

Ashlee's Bio

Ashlee was born in Beaverton, Oregon and moved to Washington when she was a young adult. Ashlee strives to make each experience for every client a positive experience and strives to meet everyone’s needs. Before Ashlee came to Woodside, she worked closely with elderly patients in a memory care ward. She was even awarded a Peacock Pin, an award given to individuals who go above and beyond to serve their memory care patients. Her experience at a memory care ward makes her an ideal candidate for providing the best care for our clients and patients. Ashlee is known for her passion for Harry Potter. Together, Ashlee and her fiancé, Jay, have a young daughter named Lily and two dogs, Mila and Holly.

Jake

Client Service Coordinator at Woodside since 2019

Jake's Bio

Jake is very much dedicated to the veterinary field–so much so that he has taken on 3 roles at Woodside: kennel attendant, veterinary assistant and receptionist! As an empath, he both loves getting on the floor to say, “hello” to your pet(s), and having the chance to know you better. Jake’s versatility and positive personality makes him a great addition to the receptionist team.

Administrative Team

Kerry

Practice Manager at Woodside since 1992

Kerry's Bio

Kerry has worked at Woodside Animal Hospital since graduating from Pierce College in 1992. She has worked many years as a Licensed Veterinary Technician, before being promoted in 2007 to her primary job is as our Practice Manager. Kerry remembers many milestones in her life she has gone through while working here at Woodside, from turning 21 to getting married and having children. She feels Woodside has been a part of her life for such a long time and it will always be her home. Kerry and her husband Chuck have two boys, Trevor and Jared. They enjoy camping, quad riding, and playing outside. Furthermore, Kerry enjoys scrapbooking and gardening. Almost every pet Kerry has owned has been one she adopted through working at Woodside. She currently has a Doberman named Roxy, a mix-breed dog named Buddy, and three cats named by her son: Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and Plywood. Kerry’s job as practice manager includes several things; among them are helping to ensure the best customer service possible with extensive training and follow up training with employees, helping to ensure quality patient care, inventory management, and trying to maintain a healthy and happy working environment for our staff. It is Kerry’s goal to maintain a high quality, efficient animal hospital that cares for our community’s pets as if they were our own.

Jen

Accounts Receivable and Records Manager at Woodside since 2002 and returned 2018

Jen's Bio

Jen has been apart of the Woodside family for a number of years! She was first hired as a Receptionist in 2002 and worked as apart of our team until 2011 when she moved to Indiana. Jen eventually moved back to Port Orchard, joined our team in 2018. Her primary focus is to manage all aspects of the clinic’s technical needs. In efforts to help us become a clinic that primarily operates “paperlite”. Jen is excited to be back at Woodside serving our clients and helping us to continue to improve our hospital. Jen is a proud mother of two kids, Aaron and Katelynn. Although her kids are now grown, Jen is thoroughly enjoying life as a grandmother and life with her pets. Jen has a Pitbull named Ruby and two cats, Bella and Harry Houdini. Traveling and scrapbooking are a couple of Jen’s favorite hobbies. Jen and her sister both enjoy seeking out variety of adventures. We are glad to have Jen back on our team!

Jordan B

Assistant Practice Manager at Woodside since 2018

Jordan's Bio

Jordan B began her veterinary career as a receptionist. After 5 wonderful years in that role, she realized she could further enhance the human-animal bond by supporting the Woodside staff in a leadership role. Jordan still enjoys working alongside the Customer Services team and can often be found at the front desk answering phones and greeting clients. Jordan is client focused and is always open to positive and constructive feedback. To reach Jordan, please email her via our main email address (please allow 2-3 business days for a response).

Visit our Contact Us Page for our email address or our Join Our Team to see currently open positions.

Kennel Attendants

Many of our team members provide boarders with comfortable and clean spaces while they stay with us, but we would like to give a special thank you to Bobbie and Anna for working tirelessly behind the scenes. Your dedication as Kennel Attendants helps keep the hospital running smoothly and clean, and our patients can always rely on you! Bobbie is a bit camera shy, but she is a key component to our team!

Anna

Kennel Attendant at Woodside since 2019

Anna's Bio

Anna has been with Woodside since 2019. Originally a receptionist at Woodside, Anna wanted to interact with our patients more and has recently joined our kennel team. We are so glad she did! Our boarders love her! Anna has also agreed to oversee our new Tik Tok page!

Woodside is fortunate to have additional team members that work with empathy and medical expertise to keep your pets happy and healthy. Even though these folks wish to remain out of the spotlight, we want to thank them for everything!

Contact Us

Address

1601 Woods Rd SE
Port Orchard, Washington 98366
Click here for directions.

Hours

Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 6 pm
Saturday: 8:30 am – 4 pm
Sunday: Closed

Contact

Phone: 360-871-3335
Fax: 360-871-1916
Email: contact@woodsideanimalhospital.com

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