MEET OUR TEAM
We have a combined caring staff of more than 20 highly qualified, compassionate team members with varied backgrounds and talents. Meet our 5 veterinarians and their support staff who take great care to give exceptional care to your pets. We can’t wait to meet you!
Jill Preston Fournier
Veterinarian/Owner
Dr. Fournier is originally from Troy, MI. She always knew as a young girl that she wanted to be a vet, a mixed (large and small) animal vet to be exact. Her journey toward becoming a veterinarian started at MSU, where she graduated in 2001 with a BS in Animal Science. Immediately after, she was accepted into vet school at her alma mater and received her DVM in 2005.
While in vet school, she decided against becoming a farm vet. She practiced her first year out in Cadillac, MI and then transferred back to her “home” clinic in South Lansing for a few years. In February 2008, she moved up to Sunrise Vet in Alpena and has been here since! In December of 2013, she became the practice owner.
Dr. Fournier has a passion for anything dogs. She enjoys perfecting surgeries, understanding dog behavior, and being involved in reproduction/breeding. In fact, she breeds and owns English and French Bulldogs and has six house dogs herself, ranging in size and breed. Her free time is spent on her funny farm with her two children, Autumn, Ethan, and her husband Andre. They have chickens, peacocks, and hunting Blue Tick Coon Hounds. When she is not playing with dogs, Dr. Fournier enjoys gardening, working on her succulent collection, reading a good book, or enjoying time with family and friends.
Heidi LaCross
Veterinarian
Dr. Heidi was born and raised right here in Alpena, MI. She earned her B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University and her DVM from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. She lived and practiced in Madison, WI until moving back to Alpena in 2015. Dr. Heidi has four children: two girls and two boys as well as several pets, which include two dogs (a Labrador and a golden retriever), two rescue cats who are sisters, a chinchilla, and a tortoise named Concave Dave.
Brandi Stone
Veterinarian
Dr. Brandi Stone is thrilled to be back at Sunrise Veterinary Services! Many of our longtime clients may remember her from her early days with us as a veterinary assistant during her undergraduate years. After graduating from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019, Dr. Stone gained critical experience working in emergency medicine at a 24-hour clinic in Pennsylvania.
She has a strong passion for emergency and critical care, ultrasound, and surgery, and brings both expertise and compassion to every case she handles. When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Stone loves being outdoors. Her favorite pastimes include hiking with her dogs, paddle boarding, reading, gardening, and even beekeeping. Her pack of pets keeps life extra fun and adventurous: Gunner, a loyal Labrador Retriever and her very best hiking buddy, Gabby, a Bluetick Coonhound who enjoys coon and squirrel hunting — and isn’t shy about baying at Starbucks baristas for her pup cup, Penny, a spirited Chihuahua who may be small, but can hike 4–5 miles right alongside the big dogs, and AJ, another Bluetick Coonhound who begs for lettuce from the fridge and excels in the field as an outstanding coon dog. Dr. Stone is proud to call Northeastern Michigan home again and is excited to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones — both human and furry!
Larissa Digue
Veterinarian
Dr. Larissa Digue was born and raised in a small town in Brazil, where her passion for animals led her to begin veterinary school in 2011. In 2014, she joined a study abroad program at Michigan State University, where she took courses in veterinary medicine and animal science. She returned to Brazil to complete her degree and graduated in 2017. Dr. Digue is fully licensed in the United States through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program. She has a special interest in surgery and is committed to delivering compassionate and thorough care to every patient she sees.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys reading, hiking, and working out. She shares her home with her husband and their Standard Poodle, Buck, who is incredibly smart, loves the beach, and never turns down a game of fetch. Dr. Digue is proud to be part of the Sunrise Veterinary Services team and looks forward to building strong connections with pets and their families in Northeast Michigan.
Kaydee Berg
Veterinarian
Dr. Kaydee Berg is a proud 2025 graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned the Merck Excellence Award for her commitment to exceptional veterinary care. She previously graduated Cum Laude from Alma College in 2020, earning a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and a Pre-Veterinary concentration. Dr. Berg has special interests in preventative medicine, internal medicine, and ophthalmology, and she’s passionate about working closely with pet owners to support their animals’ long-term health and well-being.
When she’s not in the clinic, Dr. Berg enjoys reading, painting, traveling, and spending time outdoors — especially with her dog Newton (“Newt”), an Irish Doodle with Addison’s Disease. Newt joined her during her second year of vet school and is now her loyal adventure buddy, always ready for a hike or a car ride. Dr. Berg is excited to bring her enthusiasm, expertise, and compassion to the Sunrise Veterinary Services team and to care for pets throughout Northeast Michigan.
Tammi Cernat
Manager
Tammi is a Manager who has been in the field for more than 20 years. She grew up in Hubbard Lake and was a Coast Guard wife for 20 years. Prior to moving back to Alpena, Tammi lived all over the country, but her favorite place was Hawaii. She has two adult children and is “gammy” to two beautiful grandchildren. She and her husband share their home with their Golden Retrievers Oakley, Olivia and Madison. In her spare time she enjoys going for walks, traveling and crafting with her family and friends.
Tabitha McDonald
Pharmacy/Inventory Manager
Tabitha has worked for the clinic since February 2011. Her duties include the ordering of our pet food, retail items, and clinic medications. At home, she has 4 dogs and 2 cats and enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, raising livestock, camping, and spending time with family and friends.
Emma Cook
Receptionist
Emma is one of the friendly faces you’ll meet at the front desk of Sunrise Veterinary Services. As a receptionist, she’s passionate about delivering outstanding customer care and making every client — and pet — feel welcomed and supported from the moment they walk through the door. Beyond her work at the front desk, Emma also plays a key role in managing the clinic’s social media presence and marketing efforts, helping to keep the community informed, engaged, and connected with Sunrise Vet. Outside of work, Emma enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and going for rides on her paint horse, Padre. She also shares her life with June, a smart and energetic Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix who keeps her on her toes and always ready for adventure. Emma’s creativity, kindness, and commitment to connection make her an essential part of the Sunrise team.
Jaiden Tudor
Receptionist
Jaiden is one of the welcoming faces you’ll meet at the front desk of Sunrise Veterinary Services. As a receptionist, she’s passionate about providing the best possible care and creating a warm, positive experience for both clients and their pets. In her free time, Jaiden enjoys fishing, kayaking, painting rocks, and spending quality time with her family and her beloved fur baby, Lola May — a spunky Olde English/English Bulldog. Lola May is full of personality and loves swimming, camping, and even throwing the occasional temper tantrum when things don’t go her way! Jaiden’s kindness, creativity, and love for animals make her a perfect fit for our team — and a familiar, friendly face to all who walk through our doors.
Chloe Kusmierz
Receptionist
Chloe is one of the friendly voices and smiling faces you’ll encounter at Sunrise Veterinary Services. As a receptionist, she takes pride in making clients feel welcome and helping everything run smoothly from check-in to check-out. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, gardening, and watching movies — especially when she can relax with her two beloved dogs: Maude, a sweet and snuggly Shih Tzu and Perry, a lovable Pug with plenty of personality. Chloe’s kind nature and attention to detail make her a valued part of the Sunrise team, always ready to greet both pets and their people with a smile.
Susan Ratz
Receptionist
Susan brings a wealth of hands-on experience and dedication to the Sunrise Veterinary Services team. She is a Certified Pet Groomer and Certified Dog Trainer, and she loves expanding her knowledge by learning from the veterinarians she works alongside every day. Outside of the clinic, Susan keeps busy with a vibrant life on her family farm — filled with sheep, goats, and a variety of poultry. Her home is just as lively, with: Sid and Stewie, two affectionate house cats, several hardworking barn cats. Bingo, a beautiful little blonde mutt adopted in September 2024, Angus, a big black Lab who was supposed to be a bird dog, but decided being a momma’s boy suited him better, four parakeets, FooFoo the Holland Lop bunny, and Petunia the guinea pig — all of whom enjoy shouting for treats! In her free time, Susan enjoys farming, gardening, fishing, volunteering, and spending quality time with her family. Her passion for animals, eagerness to learn, and warm personality make her a valued part of our team.
Karla Manit
Receptionist
Karla brings a compassionate and insightful approach to her role at Sunrise Veterinary Services, drawing on her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a heartfelt interest in the emotional bonds between pets and their people. She has a special passion for the behavioral side of veterinary care, and finds joy in understanding how animals express love, trust, and connection — much like humans do. In her free time, Karla enjoys journaling, reading Webtoons and books, and winding down with a good movie or series when she’s not too tired. Her creative and reflective spirit makes her a thoughtful and caring presence at the clinic. At home, Karla lives with three mischievous cats, including a Himalayan Persian and short-hair mix. While they may love to climb her curtains and bring down the rod while she sleeps, their playful antics always bring a smile to her face. Two of her cats are black, and one has unique grey and black markings that make them even more special. Karla’s thoughtful nature and curiosity about animal behavior make her a valuable and compassionate member of the Sunrise team.
Tori Chrumka
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Tori was born in Grosse Pointe but recently moved to Alpena. She earned her Bachelor of Science from U of M and recently graduated from MSU’s Veterinary Technician Program. She loves cats. She has 3 at home as well as exotic animals. In her spare time she loves to go kayaking, hiking and rock collecting but can easily spend the day inside reading or watching tv.
Jennie Rowe
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Jennie was born and raised in Alpena. From a young age she knew she wanted to work with animals. While working as a Veterinary Assistant at Sunrise back in 2000, She learned of MSU’s Veterinary Technology program. She applied immediately and was accepted. After graduating from the Veterinary Technician Bachelor’s Program. She remained in Lansing where she worked at Waverly Animal Hospital, Boarding and Grooming (a busy 5 doctor AAHA clinic) for 14 years as an LVT. Growing tired of city life and missing living near a lake, her family relocated to Marquette. She resided in the UP for 4 years before being called home to Alpena. Her and her husband share 4 children. Two adult daughters along with another daughter who is 10 years old and a son who is 6. Her fur kids consist of a senior Lab/Coonhound mix, a young energetic Golden Retriever and a sassy kitty. She has a slight houseplant obsession and also loves gardening, camping, kayaking, reading and loving on her “Golden” child. She is so excited to be returning to Sunrise Veterinary Services where it all started for her!
Taylor Madsen
Veterinary Assistant
Taylor was born and raised in Alpena. She left the area to attend Baker College where she graduated in 2021 from their Veterinary Technician Program. She knew at a young age that she wanted to work with animals. She grew up on a farm with cattle, horses, a cat and dog. She loves the outdoors.
Shelly Olsen
Veterinary Assistant
Shelly has been a vital part of Sunrise Veterinary Services since 2002. Prior to joining the clinic, she served on active duty in the U.S. Navy and spent 19 years as a Navy wife. In 1998, she returned home to Alpena with her three children, where she’s remained ever since — proudly serving the pets and people of her community. Shelly has a strong interest in surgical care and brings decades of dedication and steady expertise to the clinic’s surgical suite. In her free time, Shelly enjoys a wide range of hobbies including spending time with family, knitting, crocheting, needlework, gardening, and reading. She also loves kayaking and fondly recalls family camping trips as some of her most treasured memories. At home, Shelly is loved by her two cats: Lilly, her sweet “throw away cat,” was rescued after being thrown from a vehicle and is now completely spoiled — with a particular love for freshly washed hair and George, affectionately known as the Kraken, is Lilly’s mischievous little brother and a champion lap-warmer despite his antics. Shelly’s warmth, skill, and quiet strength have made her an irreplaceable part of the Sunrise family for over two decades.
Jenna Dahn
Veterinary Assistant
Jenna has lived in Hubbard Lake her entire life and has always had a strong love for animals, which inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She is currently working toward becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician and brings enthusiasm, care, and curiosity to every patient interaction. Jenna is especially passionate about surgery and loves being hands-on in the exam rooms, helping care for pets through every step of their visit. When she’s not at the clinic, Jenna can be found hunting, fishing, camping, or doing just about anything outdoors. Her loyal sidekick is Trapper, a fun-loving Beagle who lives for rabbit season, sunbathing, playing, and long walks. Jenna’s love for animals and the outdoors makes her a natural fit here at Sunrise Veterinary Services.
Sara Austin Boda
Veterinary Assistant
Sara is a dedicated animal lover with a special interest in parasitology and a soft spot for both pit bulls and dachshunds. At work, she enjoys being surrounded by pets of all shapes and sizes, but at home, her little zoo keeps her busy! She shares her life with three wonderful kids, three energetic dogs—Pig (a pit bull), Odie (a beagle mix), and Squid (a dachshund)—three charismatic cats—Mavis, Luna, and Cheese—and one scaly friend, Guillermo the bearded dragon.
When she’s not at the clinic, Sara loves hunting for vintage collectibles at thrift stores, watching movies, and playing board games with her kids. Whether it’s helping patients stay healthy or spending time with her own furry (and scaly) family, she’s always surrounded by the animals she loves.
Ashley Stone
Veterinary Assistant
Ashley holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science and brings a well-rounded passion for all areas of veterinary care to the Sunrise Veterinary Services team. Her love for animals and dedication to their well-being shines through in everything she does. Outside of the clinic, Ashley enjoys traveling, kayaking, hiking, painting, and getting creative with arts and crafts. She shares her life with two beloved pets: Mars, her orange cat with plenty of personality and Remie, a lovable Golden Shepherd who enjoys outdoor adventures as much as Ashley does. Ashley’s friendly demeanor, curiosity, and creative spirit make her a wonderful part of the Sunrise family. She’s excited to continue learning and growing in the field of veterinary medicine!
Breanna Gordon
Veterinary Assistant
Breanna is a true animal lover who finds joy in spending time with her pets and diving into a good book. Her calm, compassionate presence makes her a comforting face for both pets and their owners here at Sunrise Veterinary Services. At home, Breanna’s furry family keeps her busy and entertained: Milo, her 4-year-old Pug, is known for his snoring and funny habit of sitting his butt on people. Piper, a playful 2-year-old Pug, is always ready to give you a high five. Luna, her spirited 11-year-old Golden Retriever mix, still plays like a puppy and brings energy to every room, and Bean, a 6-year-old tortie cat, acts more like a dog than a cat and proudly owns her quirky personality. Breanna loves all animals, big or small, and brings a kindhearted, detail-oriented approach to her work every day.
Taddy the Maine Coon, Greeter/Model
When you visit Sunrise Veterinary Services, you can expect to be greeted by our professional greeter and part-time model, Taddy, the Maine Coon. Taddy loves to show off for anyone and everyone that walks through the doors. Attention is the name of the game, and with Taddy strutting around the room, he’s hard to ignore!
Tom & Jerry
Meet Tom, our playful and curious 7-month-old Maine Coon! With his fluffy coat and gentle demeanor, he’s already a beloved member of our team. Whether he’s lounging in the sun or “helping” with paperwork, Tom’s personality is as big as his paws! Stop by and say hello—he’d love to meet you!
Meet Jerry, our spirited and mischievous clinic cat! He’s the perfect partner to Tom, always ready for an adventure or a game of chase. Jerry’s quick to greet visitors with his playful antics and a flick of his tail. Whether he’s sneaking into a cozy corner or supervising from a high perch, Jerry brings endless charm and energy to our clinic.
Noodle
Meet Noodle, our 12-month-old Indonesian Blue-Tongued Skink! With his vibrant scales and signature blue tongue, Noodle is as fascinating as he is friendly. He loves basking in his enclosure and showing off his unique personality to everyone who stops by. Noodle is a quiet yet captivating addition to our clinic family.