4117 Rocky River Dr, Cleveland, OH 44135

(216) 252-4500(216) 252-4500

Open Monday – Saturday 7am–1am
Sunday 8am–1am

Staff

MEET OUR CARING TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL VETERINARIANS & STAFF

WEST PARK ANIMAL HOSPITAL PARTNERS

 

BORYS PAKUSH, DVM
Borys Pakush, DVM

Dr. Pakush was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio. Being of Ukrainian descent, Dr. Pakush was raised with many special traditions and customs and speaks fairly fluent Ukrainian. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1988 and his DVM in 1992, both from The Ohio State University. As a partner of West Park Animal Hospital, Dr. Pakush concentrates on the daily operations of the practice and takes pride in providing excellent service to all of his patients. Dr. Pakush and his wife, Leslie, have two children, Maksym and Natalia.

 

KANE HENDERSON, DVM
Kane Henderson, DVM

Dr. Henderson was born and raised in Beloit, Ohio. He received his BS from Marietta College in 1992 and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 1996. He has been a partner of West Park Animal Hospital since 2000. His interest lies in veterinary surgery with a special interest in pet orthopedics and rehabilitation. Dr. Henderson is married with two children, Alexys and Brayden, and lives in Medina. He has a yellow lab, a chocolate lab and a cat. In his off time, he enjoys spending time with his family, doing yard work, and enjoying the outdoors.

 

KARI SWEDENBORG, DVM
Kari Swedenborg, DVM

Dr. Swedenborg was born and raised in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where she attended the University of Akron for her bachelor’s degree in biology. She then attended The Ohio State University and obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. She has been a partner at West Park Animal Hospital since June 2006. Her special interests include exotic and pocket pet medicine. She currently resides in Rocky River with her husband, Jack, and two young children. In her free time, she enjoys time at the lake having fun with the kids.

 

MEGAN CULLER, DVM
Megan Culler, DVM

Dr. Culler was born and raised in North Olmsted, Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University, where she received her bachelor of science degree in 1996 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in June 2000. She joined West Park Animal Hospital in June 2001 and became a partner in October 2006. Her special interests include general practice, ultrasonography and internal medicine. She currently resides in Olmsted Falls with her husband, Tom, and her daughters Claire, Caitlin, and Caroline. She also has two cats named Coogee and Calvin. In her free time, she enjoys camping, spending time with her family, and enjoying the outdoors.

 

SCOTT ZIELINSKI, DVM
Scott Zielinski, DVM

Dr. Zielinski joined West Park Animal Hospital in 2003 and became a partner in 2007. He is a native of northeast Ohio, having been born in Cleveland and raised in Copley. He received his bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in 1996 and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 2003. His special interests include soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. He lives in Solon with his wife, Kathleen; son, Kelan; two daughters, Hazel and Josie; dog, Pedro; and cat, Pearl. In his free time, he enjoys boating, fishing, and golfing.

 

ASSOCIATE DOCTORS

NICOLE PLANTNER, DVM
Nicole Plantner, DVM

Dr. Nicole Plantner was born and raised in North Olmsted, Ohio. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 2003 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. She was the recipient for the AAHA Student Achievement Award and the Award for Excellence in Small Animal Community Practice in 2009. Her interests include internal medicine, preventative medicine and behavior. Currently she resides in Olmsted Falls with her husband and three children. They have a rescue hound named Watson as well as a rescue cat named Tiki. In her spare time, Dr. Plantner enjoys jogging, camping, hiking and cooking.
BETH LORENZ, DVM
Beth Lorenz, DVM

Dr. Beth Lorenz was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. She graduated from The University of Findlay with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2007 and from The Ohio State University with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Her interests include internal medicine, dermatology, and feline behavior issues. Currently she resides in Olmsted Falls with her husband and two children. Their four-legged kids include two dogs (Maxie and Chessa), two cats (Sonic and Vanellope), as well as two newts. In her free time, Dr. Lorenz enjoys hiking, visiting National Parks, and reading.

JENNIFER KINNEY, DVM
Jennifer Kinney, DVM

Dr. Jennifer Kinney grew up in Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. Since her graduation, she has practiced in Northern Ohio as both a large and small animal veterinarian. Preventative care and Emergency Medicine are Dr. Kinney’s primary passion in this practice. Outside of the work, Dr. Kinney has four children who keep her busy with after school activities and a doodle named Coconut.
Michelle leathem, DVM
Michelle Leathem, DVM

Dr Michelle Leathem was born and raised in Huron, OH.  She graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 2007 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2011.  Dr Leathem has previously practiced in both Columbus, OH and the Sandusky, OH area.  Her interests include dentistry and feline medicine.  Outside of work Dr Leathem enjoys baking, gardening, and traveling along with spending time with her boyfriend, 4 cats, and 2 dogs.

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KRISTEN MIERZWIAK, DVM
Kristen Mierzwiak, DVM

Dr. Kristen Mierzwiak grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Findlay in 2007 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in 2011. Dr. Mierzwiak enjoys soft tissue and reconstructive surgery, and connecting with clients and their pets through preventative medicine. She currently lives in Medina with her husband Aaron and two sons. They also share their home with two dogs, Max and Owen; and three cats, Ozzy, Mo and Toby. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, campfires, and hiking in Northeast Ohio.
Rebecca Lazarus, DVM
Rebecca Lazarus, DVM

Dr. Lazarus was born and raised in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. She Graduated from Kent State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. She then achieved her Doctor of Veterinary  Medicine in 2016 from The Ohio State University with a special interest in behavior, preventative medicine, low stress veterinary visits, and feline medicine. Before joining West Park Animal Hospital in 2019, Dr Lazarus practiced in Springfield, Ohio and South Euclid, Ohio. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Truly and 3 cats Lucie, Vinnie, and Peepers. She also enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, cooking, and cheering on the Cleveland Indians in the summer.
Anna Miller, DVM
Anna Miller, DVM

Dr. Anna was born and raised in Canton, Ohio. She attended both the College of Charleston in South Carolina as well as The Ohio State University. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. Her interests include preventative medicine, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. Currently, she resides in Ohio City with her husband and her dog named Limerick. In her free time, she enjoys  traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Natalie Sywyj, DVM
Natalie Sywyj, DVM

Dr Natalie was born and raised in Parma, Ohio. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 2016. She then received her Doctor of Veterinary  Medicine from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Her special interests include oncology, dentistry, and rehabilitation. Dr. Sywyj is happy to return home to northeast Ohio with her dog Sadie and her cat Delilah. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, working out, reading, and watching Ohio State football in the fall.

EMERGENCY DOCTORS

JANELLE MARTIN, DVM
Janelle Martin, DVM
Emergency Veterinarian

Dr. Janelle Martin is a graduate of the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. She has been working as an Emergency Veterinarian at West Park since 2016. She feels blessed every day to be able to come to a job she has dreamed of since she was in elementary school. Janelle loves all animals equally. Her perfect day outside of work involves a good book and hanging with her numerous dogs, bunnies, and her two chickens (Jim Thome and Omar Vizquel).
ELIZABETH SHULL, DVM
Elizabeth Shull, DVM
Emergency Veterinarian

Dr. Beth Shull graduated summa cum laude from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. She has a passion for emergency medicine and became an emergency veterinarian at West Park in 2016. When not working, Beth enjoys cooking, crafting, and exploring the outdoors with her husband, two kids, and her dog.
JAMES GANT, DVM
James Gant, DVM
Emergency Veterinarian

Dr. James Gant grew up in eastern New Mexico and west Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science through Texas Tech University and graduated from Colorado State Veterinary School with an emphasis on small animal medicine. During school, Dr. James worked as an on-call emergency surgical technician, and he also studied at the leading veterinary facilities in Japan and Scotland. After veterinary school, Dr. James completed an emergency, surgery, and physical rehabilitation internship in Fort Collins, Colorado. His passion is emergency medicine and surgery, and he enjoys helping the pets and people in the Cleveland area. Outside of the hospital, he spends as much time as he can fly fishing, kayaking, cycling, traveling, and spending time with his wife and pets. Dr. James has two cats, a Boxer dog, 9 chickens, numerous fish tanks, and a tarantula.
KIMBERLY PARKER, DVM
Kimberly Parker, DVM
Emergency Veterinarian

Dr. Kimberly Parker was born and raised in Northeastern Ohio. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Albion College in 2000 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 2006. She joined West Park Animal Hospital as an emergency veterinarian in 2008. She relocated to beautiful Arizona for 1.5 years, but returned home in 2018 to rejoin the emergency staff. Dr. Parker is passionate about hospice and end-of-life care for companion animals. In October 2017, she became the first veterinarian in Ohio to become certified in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPV) through the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC). Dr. Parker resides in Wellington, Ohio with her husband James. They share their home with many critters including 6 dogs, 3 cats, 2 cockatoos, and a lizard. In her spare time, she enjoys attending live music events and traveling.

JESSICA MURPHY, DVM
Jessica Murphy, DVM
Emergency Veterinarian

Dr. Jessica Murphy was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton in 2009, and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013. Dr. Jess has always had a special interest in small animal emergency medicine, and joined West Park Animal Hospital as an Emergency Veterinarian in 2016. Outside of work, Dr. Jess enjoys puzzles, cheering on Cleveland sports teams (Go Tribe!), and spending time with her husband and their two little boys.

REBECCA SMITH, DVM
Rebecca Smith, DVM
Emergency Veterinarian

Dr. Rebecca Smith was born and raised in Northeast, Ohio. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN in 2013. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in May 2018. After graduation, she moved back to Ohio and started work at a rural mixed animal clinic. After a year, she decided to move to away from the rural area and practice at a larger, faster paced clinic. She started working here at West Park in May 2019. Her special interests include emergency, cardiology, and dentistry. She lives in Edgewater with her dog “Rascal”. When she’s not at work, she enjoys the great outdoors, hiking and camping.

Management staff

LAUREN HUDGINS, RVT, VTS(ECC)
HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR
Lauren Hudgins, RVT, VTS(ECC)
Hospital Administrator

Lauren was born and raised in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. She attended Tri-C where she received her Associates degree in Veterinary Technology and became boarded as a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). She then continued to become a Vet Tech Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care (VTS ECC). Lauren has experience working in many fields of Veterinary Medicine including Emergency, Orthopedic surgery, Ophthalmology, Rescue and Preventative Care. In 2013, Lauren’s passion for quality medicine and the growth and development of her team led her to advance into management. She became the Hospital Administrator of WPAH in February 2018. Lauren is married with two children,  a Great Dane, a Pit Bull and four black cats who fill her life with joy when she is not with her WPAH family.
KELLY HAGY, HEAD RVT
Kelly Hagy, Head RVT

Kelly Hagy was born and raised in Parma, Ohio. She received her Associates degree in Applied Sciences from Manor College in 2004 and received her Vet Tech license in 2005. She currently resides in Parma with her 3 children and her dogs Georgie, Grayson and Teddy. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, and hiking.
Kirsty Poxon-Pearson, HEAD Emergency  RVT
Kirsty Poxon-Pearson, Head Emergency RVT

Kirsty graduated from The University of Cincinnati: Blue Ash in 2012 from the Veterinary Technician Program. From there she has worked in specialty hospitals on ER and it has always been her passion; every day working ER is something different. Before moving to Cleveland she also volunteered her Fridays at a local humane society helping in surgery. She enjoys the metro parks on her days off and relaxing at home with her 3 cats; Halen, Franklin and Edgar Allen Purr.
hILLARY cALOGAR RVT, iNVENTORY mANAGER
Hillary Calogar RVT, Inventory Manager

Hillary was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Stautzenberger College in Brecksville, Ohio where she earned her Associates Degree of Applied Sciences in 2012 and received her Veterinary Technician License in 2013. Hillary became part of the West Park Animal Hospital team in 2016 as a Registered Technician and advanced into the management team in 2019 as Inventory Manager. Hillary is married and currently resides in Brookpark, Ohio. She is a proud mom to her Pitbull Mix Capone, 4 kitty babies, and a bearded dragon named Felix.
Halie Rickman, Rescue Coordinator & Kennel Manager
Halie Rickman, Rescue Manager
& Kennel Manager

Halie has been an employee at our clinic since 2017. She started off as a receptionist and is now working as the rescue coordinator our kennel manager. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her wife, son, 4 dogs and 9 cats. She also dedicates time to fostering cats and helping with TNR for feral cat colonies in Cleveland Ohio. One of her favorite things about her job is seeing a rescued animal transform into a trusting and healthy pet ready for a new home.
Callan Hurley, Reception Manager
Callan Hurley, Reception Manager

Callan has been a team member with our emergency department since 2014 and has had a major part in helping guide it in the right direction as we continuously grow. Her favorite parts of her job are getting to see patients go home with their families after a long hospital stay and creating trusting relationships with our clients. Callan’s fur family consists of 3 kitties, 1 dog, and a leopard gecko named Toast! In her free time she enjoys exploring the Metroparks with her dogs and reading.

ABOUT US

Thank you for your Cleveland Hot List votes. We were voted #1 again for the 5th year in a row! We are happy to continue to serve the community and appreciate your support.

TOUR OUR HOSPITAL

MEET OUR STAFF

“Anytime we call or come in, they are welcoming and very helpful! To us, this is important when choosing a doctor. So high five West Park; job well done!!!!”

“West Park is by far the best place for our pets! From the doctors to the techs to the staff. They all have always had the best interest, care and confidence in treating our four legged friends!”

“Our daughter takes her dog there and it's wonderful! The vet is great and their prices very competitive and it's always clean. The staff is friendly and always willing to help you with any questions that you have.”

“Over the last 10 years they have always delivered on their service! From late night calls, last minute visits when we had a sick pup, a quick question because our dog had eaten a whole box of fundraiser candy bars, or the annual visits, the staff at West Park has been fabulous!”

“I used to bring my dog here when we lived closer - I loved the people working there. They're all animal lovers and truly enjoy what they're doing. They keep it well maintained and clean, and their prices are outstanding compared to their competition.”

 

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Every day 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.

 

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