Resort Supervisor
Shelli is a McCalla native who has worked in animal care for over six years. Known for her strong work ethic and leadership, she currently serves as Resort Supervisor while pursuing degrees in Psychology and Business Management at the University of West Alabama. Shelli is passionate about making a positive impact on both pets and people. Outside of work, she enjoys video games, anime, studying, and spending time with loved ones.
Facility Manager
Marci was born in Birmingham and raised in Chicago by her mother, a dedicated veterinary technician who inspired her to pursue a similar path. From an early age, Marci felt a natural connection to animals and knew this field was where she belonged. Her passion and purpose are rooted in helping animals and supporting her team. With a strong desire to contribute to a thriving, compassionate veterinary environment, Marci is committed to helping the clinic grow and succeed.
Client Service Coordinator
Amanda began her career in veterinary medicine in 2014 and has worn many hats along the way. From kennel technician to veterinary assistant and now a valued member of our reception team, Amanda brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. She studied wildlife ecology and management at Auburn University and is deeply committed to the care of both domestic and wild animals. At home, she shares her life with three dogs and four cats who keep things entertaining.
Veterinary Assistant
Born and raised in Alabama, Isabel developed a lifelong love for animals and a passion for helping them. With four years of experience in animal care, she is currently working toward becoming a certified veterinary technician. Isabel is fluent in both English and Spanish and finds great fulfillment in using her language skills to strengthen communication with clients and their families. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with her dog, Lucas. Isabel is dedicated to growing her career and deepening her knowledge in veterinary medicine.
Veterinary Assistant
Ashley has been working in veterinary medicine for over seven years. A graduate of UAB with a background in biology, she’s always had a deep love for animal science. As a veterinary technician, Ashley especially enjoys internal medicine and educating clients about their pets’ health. Outside of work, she stays active and busy with her fiancé, Michael, and their lively household of four dogs—Chili, Lemon, Pickles, and Dedee—and four cats—Harry, Nugget, Jack, and Chestnut.
DVM
An Alabama native, Dr. Kitty Gray earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. After several years practicing in Charlotte, North Carolina, she’s excited to be back home in Birmingham.
Dr. Gray is a certified Fear-Free and Feline-Friendly practitioner, passionate about creating low-stress, positive experiences for pets and their families. Her clinical interests include feline medicine, dermatology, preventative care, and providing thoughtful palliative and end-of-life support.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Gray enjoys yoga, cooking, attending live music events, and spending quality time with friends, family, and her four beloved pets—cats Sister and Carlos, and senior dogs Jojo-Blinky and Luke.
Grooming Goddess
Shanell has been living in Birmingham since she was 8 years old. She grew up helping at vet clinics, much like her two boys are now! During her teenage years, she served as a volunteer at the Birmingham Zoo before entering the world of grooming at 17 years old. She now has 14 years of grooming experience. Her boys Rowan (5 years) and Liam (16 months), and their many pets are her world. They have two rescue cats, two rescue dogs, 10 chickens, and a parakeet named Friend. Working with animals is her passion, and she provides a safe, caring environment for pets that need baths, trims, and more.
Veterinary Assistant
Hannah has been working in the vet field as a kennel tech for two years. She loves all animals but cats are her favorite. When Hannah isn’t working, she spends most of her time studying. She is a student at UAB working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Hannah is very passionate about science and spends her free time outdoors enjoying nature.
Resort Staff
Denise hales from Calera, AL. She has 30 years of experience in the veterinary field and is certified in innovative Fear Free pet handling techniques. Denise has worked alongside our Practice Manager, Michaela Wright, for 17 years and our veterinarian, Dr. Claire Bellman, for 4 years. She enjoys working with any pet that comes her way and truly puts her heart into her job and animal care/wellbeing. During her downtime, she enjoys taking care of her plants, being outdoors, or relaxing with her two dogs – Mystic and Diamond, and cat – Sebastian.
Client Service Coordinator
Alaina has been working as a receptionist in the vet field for three years. When she isn’t working, Alaina spends her time with her daughter doing arts and crafts, playing at the park, and watching Disney movies. She loves all four-legged friends, but especially loves cats!
Client Service Coordinator
Lindley is one of our amazing receptionists. Born and raised in Birmingham, AL, she has been working in the veterinary world since 2017. Animals have always been her passion. She began rescuing animals and pet sitting at only 10 years old! She shares a dog with her mom and has three cats her household – Nugget, Andy, and Kiki.
Client Support Coordinator
Lauren was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. Lauren has been working in Veterinary Medicine as a receptionist since 2018. She has 1 dog and 2 cats. She enjoys theater, singing, acting, and just performing for people in general. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her boyfriend.
Veterinary Assistant
Brandon joined us in February as one of our veterinary assistants. He was born and raised in Calera, AL. He has always been intrigued by veterinary medicine and science. He has over a year in the veterinary world and is attending Jefferson State Community College in hopes to one day become a veterinarian. Brandon has a passion for what he does and wants nothing more than to help save animal lives.
Veterinary Assistant
Andrea has been in the veterinary field for 23 years. She graduated from UAB with a major in music education and a minor in music performance. She has a dog named David and a cat named Jonah. Her focus is on emergency medicine, patient advocate and patient care. She loves education clients and also has a love for exotics. Andrea loves teaching those that are just entering into the vet field. In her off time, she loves to travel and is an avid concer goer. She loves to read and is an old soul hippie. Her favorite color is purple and anything tie dye.
Veterinary Assistant
Kayla has always had a huge passion for animals and pet care and has been in the vet field for over 9 years. Her favorite parts of being vet tech are diagnostics and surgery. Outside of work, Kayla likes to hang out with her two pups, Kiba and Mondo, explore downtown Birmingham, or go hiking.
Veterinary Assistant
Abby has been in the veterinary field since 2018. She recently joined us as one of our veterinary technicians. She has worked as a technician in both general practice and critical care. She loves all four-legged friends, but especially enjoys working with cats. She has an interest in cytology, ultrasonography, and anesthesia. Outside of work, Abby likes crocheting and reading while spending time with her cat, Peter, and dog, Puddles.
Veterinary Assistant Supervisor
Olivia has worked in veterinary medicine for nearly 3 years. She graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2019 with a BA in Psychology (specializing with Comparative Psychology). She has two cats (Ike & Mia) and a black Labrador (Pearl). She grew up in Birmingham, AL! Olivia loves to bake. Her favorite colors are purple and green. When the weather isn’t unbearably hot – she enjoys “hot girl” walks with Pearl at Moss Rock or somewhere neat!!
Executive Assistant
We are excited to announce that Camden has joined us as our new Executive Assistant. She has been working in the vet field since 2013. She was born and raised in Fultondale, but now resides in Walker County. Her and her husband, Sean, got married in 2015 and have three children, Dakodah, Tanner and OliviaDean (yes, that’s one word). Camden’s favorite person is her mom. Camden thinks she is hilarious and says if she wasn’t working in the vet field she would definitely be a comedian! She loves to read and cook but hates cleaning! Camden has a love for teaching and training, and thanks to her wealth of knowledge in the veterinary industry, she has become the newest member of our Bham Fam and we are so happy to have her on our team!
DVM
Dr. Taylor LaRussa (Dr. LaRussa), a native of Birmingham, Alabama, is a 2021 graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (AUCVM). He is also a graduate of Mountain Brook High school. Prior to attending the AUCVM, he obtained an undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, and a Master’s of Science degree from Auburn University.
Dr. LaRussa and his wife, Dr. Shei, have one daughter and six fur children. Three standard poodles named Mateo, Luna, and Samson; a Siberian Husky named Kuru; a toy poodle named Prada; and a cat named Kitty.
Dr. LaRussa’s professional interests include soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, radiology/ultrasonography, dentistry and pain management. He is an active member of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association.
DVM
Dr. Ezell was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelors in Biology and Avian Biology and then went to veterinary school at Auburn University. Dr. Ezell has been practicing for 7 years with a strong interest in dermatology, nutrition and internal medicine.
Dr. Ezell shares her 5 pets with her fiance, Taylor: Bonefish, a pointer mix; Donte and 3 cats – Oliver, Debbie and Nate.
In her spare time, Dr. Ezell loves to travel, spend time with her friends and family, and read!
Practice Manager
Birmingham Animal Hospital + Resort Practice Manager Michaela Wright keeps hospital operations running smoothly. Another local, she also was born & raised in the Birmingham area.
Miss Wright has experience both as a veterinary hospital administrator and as a veterinary technician. Most recently, she served as assistant hospital administrator for Steel City Emergency Vets – a busy, 24-hour emergency animal hospita located in Hoover, Alabama. Previously, she served as a front office supervisor and veterinary technician at Liberty Animal Hospital. She is certified in fear-free handling of pets.
In her spare time, Miss Wright enjoys spending time with her family, music / concerts & traveling. She shares her home with Rusty, a maltezu dog; Ruby Sue, a great Pyrenees mix; and Louie, a rowdy young feline.
DVM, MRCVS
Born & raised in Alabama, Dr. Claire Bellman is an accomplished veterinarian with a Pre-med degree, a veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College of London, and real-world veterinary experience at a variety of animal hospitals in and around Birmingham, Alabama.
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the largest & longest-established vet school in the English-speaking world. In operation since 1791, the RVC’s undergraduate veterinary curriculum is a comprehensive 5-year program. (Most undergraduate vet schools in the US are 4-year programs.)
Dr. Bellman earned a Bachelors of Science in Biology/Pre-med from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, followed by a Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine from the Royal Veterinary College. During her years of study at the Royal Veterinary College, Dr. Bellman received Merit awards and Awards of Distinction. She also has extensive experience as a general veterinarian and an emergency room veterinarian at a variety of local veterinary hospitals including: Liberty Animal Hospital, Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital, Animal Medical Center Anniston, and Steel City City Emergency Vets. Dr. Bellman has a special interest in orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries. Dr. Bellman is certified in “fear-free” handling techniques that minimze the stress of visiting the vet.
In her spare time, she enjoys her family and burns off steam as a competitive endurance runner. She and her family share their home with Hampstead, a black lab mix; Molly Moo, a teacup Yorkie; and Miss Finchley, a gray tabby cat.
