Doctors
Dr. Hilary Busch
Dr. Hilary Busch is the dedicated owner of Valley Animal Clinic, a role she took on in December 2021. A proud native of Bay City, Dr. Busch has deep roots in the community and is committed to giving back through numerous sponsorships.
Dr. Busch’s academic journey began at Michigan State University (MSU), where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology in 2000. She continued her education at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), graduating in 2005.
Her clinical practice is strengthened by specializations in surgery and internal medicine, with a particular interest and focus on dermatology.
Dr. Busch is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), the Saginaw Valley Veterinary Medical Association (SVVMA), and the Auburn Commerce.
Furthermore, she is a passionate advocate for the future of veterinary medicine. Dr. Busch partners with the Bay Arenac ISD and regularly encourages co-op opportunities at the clinic to mentor and foster the next generation of veterinary professionals.
Dr. Claire Alves
Dr. Claire Alves grew up in the Pacific Northwest and moved to Michigan in 2018. She has been a dedicated member of the Valley Animal Clinic team since September 2018. She started with us as an assistant and receptionist. Her love for her career inspired her to become a Doctor of Veterinary medicine and after receiving her veterinary degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) and completing her clinical year at Michigan State University (MSU) in October 2023, she returned to the area. Her professional passions include internal medicine, ultrasound, and dentistry. Dr. Alves and her husband are excited to welcome their first child in the fall of 2025.
Managers
Ashley
Office Manager
Meet Ashley, our highly organized and hardworking Office Manager who joined our team in June 2024! Ashley brings a deep history of professional experience, having started her career back in 1999 working with elementary students. This demanding background has cultivated her exceptional skills in multitasking, organization, and efficient coordination, all of which she now applies to expertly managing the daily operations of our office. We are incredibly fortunate to have her dedicated structure, caring nature and expertise guiding our team.
Kara
Staff Manager & Veterinary Assistant
Kara has been in the veterinary field since 2009. She has worked in corporate veterinary medicine as a manager and in private practice as an assistant and receptionist. Kara is our staff manager and veterinary assistant at Valley Animal Clinic. She brings many skills including website design, social media lead, staff outing curator and many more! She loves the team at Valley Animal Clinic and all of the amazing clients and pets. Her favorite part of veterinary medicine are the work ups and being a support for the clients’, it makes her heart full to be there for them.
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Patty
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Patty began her career in the veterinary field in 1982, laying the groundwork for her eventual professional success. She graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) in 1987 and obtained her licensure in Michigan shortly thereafter. With decades of experience, Patty has cultivated a diverse skillset, having worked in many different specialties, including Orthopedics and Urgent Care. Her extensive background reflects a deep commitment to animal health and a broad expertise across various facets of veterinary medicine.
Veterinary Assistants
Chloe
Veterinary Assistant
Chloe is one of our dedicated Veterinary Assistants who began her career in veterinary medicine at Valley Animal Clinic in 2020. She joined the team at just 18 years old, transitioning from a receptionist role at a care facility to pursue her true passion.Chloe holds an Associate Degree in Science from Delta and SVSU, and is actively working toward her goal of becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). She plans to attend Michigan State University (MSU) for her LVT certification, with a keen interest in Large Animal medicine. Her love for animals started early, shaped by time spent riding horses and helping out on her grandpa’s farm. This hands-on experience included participating in 4-H where she excelled at showing steers. Chloe is a valued member of the Valley Animal Clinic team, bringing her passion and commitment to animal care every day.
Erikah
Veterinary Assistant
Erikah launched her veterinary career in 2020 as a veterinary assistant, bringing with her a valuable background in human medicine. This previous experience provided a strong foundation in patient care and clinical procedures, which she quickly adapted to the animal health field. After two years of hands-on experience, Erikah took a planned two-year hiatus, returning to the veterinary field with renewed enthusiasm in 2024. She is now eager to build on her prior training, combine her knowledge from both human and veterinary settings, and continue providing compassionate, high-quality support to the veterinary team and their animal patients.
Erin
Veterinary Assistant
Erin started with us the summer of 2025 as a float between the front desk and a veterinary assistant. Erin is currently a sophomore attending Central Michigan University. She is pursuing a Biomedical major, and plans to attend Michigan State University to study veterinary medicine and obtain her DVM.
Sarah
Veterinary Assistant
Sarah is one of our wonderful and dedicated veterinary assistants with a deep passion for animal care! You may see her at the front desk as a CSR or in the pharmacy as a veterinary assistant or helping in the treatment area with a dental procedure. Sarah started working in the veterinary field in early 2021. When she is not helping pets at the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her dog and three cats, who inspire her every day to provide the best care possible.
Kaitlin
Veterinary Assistant
Kaitlin is one of our veterinary assistants who has been in the field for about 4 years, and animals have always been her happy place. From drawing blood, to helping in the treatment room, to sneaking in extra cuddles, she loves knowing she’s making a difference in their lives every day.
Customer Service Representative
Betty
Customer Service Representative
Meet Betty, our Customer Service Representative who joined our team this summer! Betty brings an incredible wealth of experience, having dedicated 30 years—starting back in 1994—to working in customer service, then bringing that experience to working with children starting in 2009. That background has honed her naturally personable and charismatic nature, making her an expert in communicating with compassion, patience, and warmth. She is a true people-person who thrives on making connections and ensuring every customer interaction is a positive one. We’re thrilled to have her energy and extensive service skills guiding our customer relations.
Gloria
Customer Service Representative
For more than 4 decades, Gloria has been a familiar and welcoming face at Valley Animal Clinic. She has served in many roles during her time here: receptionist, assistant, kennel attendant, and office manager. After a few short “retirements” she now serves as a receptionist and proudly recognizes 3 generations of clients and their pets.
Taylor
Customer Service Representative
Meet Taylor, one of our newest Customer Service Representatives who joined us this summer! Taylor is no stranger to the working world, having started her first job at the young age of 16. This early dedication speaks to a commitment and work ethic that she brings to every interaction. Taylor’s lifelong passion for animals is deep-rooted; she knew what she wanted from an early age, wanting to own her own farm when she was just seven years old. This caring spirit and early experience make her a dedicated and enthusiastic member of our team.
Virtual Assistant
Kate
Virtual Assistant
Kate is part of our friendly and dedicated team, providing remote support to clients and their pets. With experience in customer service and as a veterinary receptionist, she strives to make every interaction warm and positive. Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new coffee spots, and savoring life’s little moments.