Pet Care Blog

Milly

UGA Veterinary Student

Milly is originally from Georgia but found her love for Birmingham while studying at Birmingham Southern University. Milly’s love for animals started at a young age, and she has worked and volunteered at multiple veterinary clinics. Her love for animals had led her to the veterinary profession. She is currently in Vet School at the University of Georgia. Aside from her vet school studies, Milly enjoys spending time with her dogs, Olive and Penne; her cat, Sundae; and her 3 beautiful parakeets: Cuervo, Lemon, and Lentil.

Shanell

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.

Hannah

Resort Staff

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.

Denise

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.

Alaina

Client 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!

Lindley

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.

Lauren

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.

Brandon

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.

Andrea

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.

Kayla

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.

Abby

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.

Olivia

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!!

Camden

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!

Taylor LaRussa

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.

Sheila LaRussa

DVM

Dr. Sheila LaRussa (Dr. Shei) is a 2019 graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to attending the AUCVM, she obtained her undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences, from Auburn University.

Dr. Shei was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. She moved to Auburn in 2013 to attend Auburn University. She met her husband, Taylor, during her times as an undergraduate, and the couple was married in 2019. Taylor also attended Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and is a practicing veterinarian. They have one baby girl named Sofia and six furry kids. Three standard poodles named Mateo, Luna, and Samson; a Siberian Husky named Kuru; a toy poodle named Prada; and a cat named Kitty.

Dr. Shei’s professional interests include cardiology, ultrasonography, oncology, soft tissue surgery, and preventative medicine. She is an active member of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association.

Julia Anna Ezell

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!

Michaela Wright

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.

Claire Woodall Bellman

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.