MEET THE STAFF
What sets our staff apart?
Northwoods is full of talented, driven individuals, and we are proud to present
them in our meet the team section! Team strengthening exercises are so important
to us at Northwoods. We meet regularly both in and outside of work to ensure
that we provide you the best well rounded team of professionals.
Dr. William Kolesar
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Kolesar and his wife Julie both went to school to become Veterinary nurses. Dr. Kolesar went on to become a veterinarian and together in 1999 they opened Northwoods Pet Care Center; a full-service clinic offering veterinary care, boarding, and grooming services. He enjoys spending time with his family as well as hunting, being outdoors and woodworking in his spare time. If you look closely throughout the clinic, you'll find his custom pieces on display.
Arica HR, PR
Practice Manager
Arica graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice but has found a profound love for the Veterinary industry stemming from her early years raising and showing animals at her local 4H. She is a highly proactive member of the Central Michigan community and it shows in her extraordinary customer service skills. She brings such a positive energy to the clinic all while maintaining a large role of managing both the office and hospital portion, overseeing all functionality and productivity of the clinic. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, children, family & friends and of course, all of her fur-children. Arica also has a passion for volunteering for Special Olympics at both a local and state level.
Julie Kolesar, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Julie graduated from Michigan State University as a licensed Veterinary Technician. She has worked in both the Veterinary and Human medical fields. Furthermore, at Northwoods, she has played a large role in every aspect of the clinic throughout the years, from boarding and grooming, to practicing as a technician while aiding in management; her talents are far from limited. In her spare time, she enjoys seeing her children and grandchildren, and creating timeless keepsakes for them.
Carly LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Carly has worked in the veterinary field since 2006. She received her Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University but decided to change her career field after working as a Veterinary Assistant. In 2008 she graduated from Michigan State University as a licensed Veterinary Technician. Carly enjoys working in veterinary medicine because everyday is different and she finds satisfaction in helping the patients. She loves the fast-paced flow of Northwoods, how well the staff works together and how all employees are treated as family. Carly comes to work every day with such a positive attitude, a smile on her face and always making everyone laugh. When Carly isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, watching her sons play sports and especially dance parties with her parents, sister, and nieces & nephews. A few words to describe Carly would be trustworthy, dependable, loyal, and especially humorous.
Maddie
Veterinary Technician
Maddie graduated from St. Louis High school in 2017. Before joining the Northwoods family, she previously worked in human healthcare as a CNA for five years. She started at Northwoods as an assistant and since has been promoted to one of our technicians. Maddie is always eager and excited to learn something new all while wearing such an infectious smile. She enjoys caring for our patients and assisting in surgery. Outside of the clinic she coaches the St. Louis Varsity Pom Squad. Aside from coaching, she enjoys spoiling her fur-babies, traveling with friends and being on the lake.
Shania
Veterinary Technician
Shania graduated from Alma High School in 2015. Directly after graduation, she became a phlebotomist but her focus quickly transitioned into veterinary medicine. Shania has a strong love and passion for animals which started at a very young age. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her daughter, dogs and also performing at horse shows.
Madelyn
Veterinary Assistant
Madelyn is a compassionate and creative vet assistant who pours her heart into caring for animals of all kinds. When she’s not helping patients at the clinic, you’ll often find her crocheting cozy creations or shaping clay into pottery pieces. Her love for wildlife rehabilitation shows her deep dedication to giving every creature a second chance. Known for her genuine warmth and gentle nature, she brings comfort not only to animals but also to every person she meets. A loyal and dependable team member, she’s the kind of employee who always goes above and beyond for both her patients and her coworkers.
Maya
Veterinary Assistant
Maya is a Veterinary Technician with a heart full of warmth and compassion. She truly loves all species of animals, learning, and all things science.
After graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in Biology, she’s now on her way to vet school, pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Every day, she brings her passion for animal care and curiosity for medicine into her work—always eager to learn, grow, and make a difference for the pets and people she helps. Whether she’s comforting a nervous pet or lending a helping hand to a teammate, her compassion shines through in everything she does.
Ali
Veterinary Assistant
Ali is a dedicated student passionate about animal care and veterinary medicine; she is working toward her goal of becoming a licensed veterinary technician. Her compassion for animals and commitment to learning drive her to make a meaningful impact in the veterinary field every day. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and her two dogs, who inspire her love for animals even more.
Anealya
Veterinary Assistant
Anealya is a passionate young veterinary assistant with big dreams of becoming a veterinarian . Her love for animals started at an early age and continues to grow each day she spends helping patients and learning from the veterinary team.
When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll likely find her with her golden, Winston, who keeps her busy and smiling. Family time is also at the heart of her world — and when she’s not with them, she’s probably catching up on some much-needed power naps.
Whitney
Receptionist
With a naturally warm and welcoming personality Whitney is the friendly face that greets every client who walks through our doors. She has a genuine passion for helping others and takes pride in creating a comfortable, positive experience from the very first phone call to the final goodbye. Her calm demeanor and compassionate approach help clients feel at ease, while her strong organizational skills keep our front desk running smoothly. Whether she’s assisting a new client, coordinating appointments, or offering a friendly smile, Whitney makes everyone feel like part of the family. Outside of work, Whitney is a loving mother who treasures time with her kids and family. A nature enthusiast who feels most alive in the sunshine of summer, surrounded by animals, fresh air, and the simple joys of the outdoors.
Elyssa
Spa Specialist
Elyssa has been with Northwoods for over 15 years in our grooming and pet spa department. She offers her exquisite talents to all canine patients, and has an eye for perfection. Elyssa not only provides custom cuts, but she offers many other amenities as well such as but not limited to; ear cleansing, pedicures (nail trim, grind, and/or polish), coat coloring, and so much more. Elyssa spends her off time with her family and friends, and going to outdoor events!