About Us
Empathetic care, built on trust. Our team is here to provide thoughtful, personalized veterinary care in a supportive environment, where pets, people, and communication come first.
Our Core Values
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Heartfelt Care – Every pet and client receives personalized, high-quality care with empathy and understanding.​
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Inclusive Care – We offer a range of veterinary services to meet the diverse needs of all patients, ensuring accessible and effective treatment.​
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Team Well-Being – We prioritize a supportive, balanced work environment that values our team’s mental health and work-life balance.​
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Excellence in Service – We are committed to providing the best possible care through continuous learning, advanced treatments, and clear communication.
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to offer tiered veterinary care options that ensure every patient and client receives the best possible treatment while fostering a healthy work environment that prioritizes our team’s well-being and encourages compassionate service.
Dr. Cynthia Barker, Owner
Fear Free Certified
Dr. Cynthia Barker, owner of Brookeside, graduated from MSU CVM in 2005. She continued her training there for an additional year, completing an internship in anesthesia and emergency medicine in 2006. Since that time, she has been dedicated to her field, working in emergency medicine, wellness care, and alternative care after hours using both laser therapy and pulsed electromagnetic therapy to help treat and manage conditions in her patients.
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She joins Brookeside hoping to bring a fresh outlook as well as new information and skills to the clinic, allowing it to expand its care options for patients. The words she lives by are “When you know better, do better” and “Knowledge is power.” Her passion is to bring knowledge and understanding to pet owners as well as the staff she works with. She will do this through friendly and collaborative methods, asking all staff to join in regular continuing education. She shares her knowledge with owners through thoughtful explanations, careful listening, and collaboration to determine the best course of action for both the pet and the pet parent.
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She is married with one child and lives in Chelsea, MI. She has one dog, three cats, three horses, and some chicken ladies. When she finds some free time, she enjoys horseback riding, mountain biking, downhill skiing, and vacationing to new places.
Dr. Sarah Kemner
Fear Free Certified
Dr. Kemner completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and went on to graduate from the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004.
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She joined Brookeside Veterinary Hospital in April 2025 and brings over 20 years of combined emergency medicine and general practice experience. Areas of special interest and importance to Dr. Kemner include communication and collaboration with clients, internal medicine, surgery, and the medical idiosyncrasies of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
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Dr. Kemner enjoys spending time with her family and pets, Broadway musicals, Michigan football, and DIY home improvement projects.
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Dr. Vincent Rozyczko
Fear Free Certified
Dr. Rozyczko grew up in North Syracuse, NY, with his family and their pets, Toby the dog and Tabby the cat. He attended Cornell University and received a bachelor's degree in Biology in 1991. After eight years of shelter work as Kennel Supervisor at the Tompkins County SPCA in Ithaca, NY, he completed vet school at Cornell and earned his DVM in 2003.
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Brookeside Veterinary Hospital has been his home since May 2004, and he has enjoyed building relationships with clients, their families, and their beloved pets at all stages of life. His main interest as a general practitioner is preventive medicine, as a means to achieve a low-stress, high-quality, long life for our furry pals.
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Outside of work, he is a tremendous lover of owls and has been a long-time sponsor of a Great Horned Owl at Ann Arbor’s Leslie Science and Nature Center. A fan of music ranging from Bach’s Cello Suites to Viking metal, he often fills the clinic with the gentle sounds of classical music to help pets relax upon arrival.
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Weekends may find him resting, reading, and playing computer games at home—but at nighttime, “Dr. R Abides” out on the lanes with his buddies, indulging in his new favorite sport: bowling!
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Dr. Nancy Smaltz
Dr. Smaltz has been a valued part of the Brookeside Veterinary team for many years. We're working on adding her full bio soon. Check back shortly to learn more about their experience and dedication to patient care.
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Ready to Meet Us in Person?
Whether you’re visiting for a wellness check, a new concern, or just want to say hello, we’re here to make your experience smooth and stress-free. Our team is committed to compassionate, high-quality care every step of the way.
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Call Us Today to schedule an appointment or learn more about what to expect during your visit.