Woodside Animal Clinic Staff

• About Our Staff
• Meet Dr. Simon
• Meet Our Staff

About Our Staff
Everyone in this practice operates as a member of a team. All have been trained as professionals and take pride in their professional capabilities. We are staffed with state-licensed veterinarians and certified animal technicians and well-trained veterinary assistants. Our staff keeps current on the newest medical and surgical techniques by attending an ongoing program of continuing education seminars.

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Meet Dr. Simon

Dr. Simon has lived his entire life in Detroit, where he has been the owner of the Woodside Animal Hospital and Bird Clinic since 1970. He has been married over 30 years and is the father of two children and grandfather of two. He has a bearded collie, Casey, and an Amazon parrot, Ziggy. His cat, Cauncey, recently passed away at age 23.

Dr. Simon attended Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine where he graduated in 1967 with honors, and was elected into "Phi Zeta", the national honorary veterinary fraternity.

Dr. Simon is a past president of the Oakland County Veterinary Medical Association, and has served as an officer for the Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association. He has also served on the board of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA). For twelve years he wrote a weekly pet care column for The Daily Tribune and for four years he hosted his own weekly TV Pet health talk show "Your Pet's Good Health". He presently writes a monthly column for the Mirror Newspapers.

In 1982 he became Detroit's first certified veterinary acupuncturist. He has since received his diploma from the American Association of Veterinary Chiropractics. Dr. Simon has been honored with plaques both from the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and the South Eastern Veterinary Medical Association for his efforts to enhance the image of veterinary medicine, and for his community service programs.

He is the creator of "People, Pets, and Vets", "The Pet Care Fair" and "The Vet Care Fair". He has spoken at a national conference and has written three books on dog and cat care. Dr. Simon is a member of the advisory board of PAAWS. He was recently been honored by being asked to be one of four veterinarians to be on the advisory board of "The American Council on Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN)."

He is listed in "Who's Who in American Professionals". His practice has been featured in the Macomb Daily, Detroit Free Press, Royal Oak Tribune and the Mirror. His picture has appeared in Cat Fancy and Dog Fancy magazines, and on the cover of Natural Pet magazine.

Dr. Simon has three books, which you can purchase online through Amazon.com! The books are:
What Your Dog is Trying To Tell You by Dr. John M. Simon
What Your Cat is Trying To Tell You by Dr. John M. Simon
Anti-Aging for Dogs by Dr. John M. Simon

He has also written a very informative bird care book which is available at the clinic.

Dr. Simon's Curriculum Vitae.

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Judy Blome has been our office manager for over 15 years. She is the backbone of the clinic and without her faithful support it would not have been possible for Dr. Simon to have continued practicing by himself and to provide you with the benefits that go along with a small, personal, one doctor practice. Judy and her husband Ron live in Troy with there 2 dogs Zoe and Sierra and her bird Freebie. She has a grown son Tony and two grandchildren Vinny and Rocco.

Joan Simon is Dr. Simon's wife of over 30 years and our bookkeeper and practice manager. Although you will rarely see Joan at the practice, be assured that she is busy at her home office handling business related issues, making sure that the bills are being paid, and that the staff receives their well deserved checks.

Jan Suzak has been our main receptionists for over 8 years. I am sure you have all found her very pleasant and eager to help. Jan was a human health laboratory technician before she joined Woodside and will, in a pinch, fill in as a veterinary technician/assistant. Jan lives at home with her husband Larry and her cat "Cat".

Michele Shelnic is our part time receptionist. Michelle is very knowledgeable about animals and their veterinary care because before being hired by the Woodside Animal Clinic she served as both office manager and receptionists at a nearby small animal clinic. Michele lives at home in Detroit with her German Shepherd, Luka.

Karen Dunham is a licensed veterinary technician who received her degree from Wayne Community college and then after working for a few years in a Detroit small animal practice joined the armed forces where she continued to work as a veterinary technician for the next 20 years. When she recently retired from the army she made the decision to get back into a civilian veterinary practice. Karen is very eager to learn and to help and we are glad that we hired her. She lives In Highland Park with 2 cats and a dog.

Beverly Ayres is a licensed animal technician that has been working for us in either a full or part time position for over 15 years. Although presently working as a relief technician, she is extremely important because she allows the other technicians to take time off when they need it.

Tina Gutholm is our kennel, cleaning, and maintenance person who has worked for us on a part-time basis for many years.

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© 2006 Dr. John Simon, Woodside Animal Clinic