Owen Jacob Watterson Burke
Owen Jacob was the founding CEO of Little Friends of Ferndale Veterinary Care and Owen Enterprises, LLC. Dr. Burke and Kathryn Watterson founded Little Friends’ philosophy based on how they felt their beloved Owen’s experience at the vet should be a confident, positive, respectful, fear-free, enjoyable, and memorable experience. Although Owen Jacob is no longer with us, his profound, noble, majestic, tranquil presence and essence remains a permanent part of Little Friends of Ferndale Veterinary Care. A constant and continual reminder that our little friends, in their companionship, change and shape our lives towards our highest good and betterment. For that reason, we shall always remain with deep and unwavering gratitude, always striving to practice the highest quality of progressive, compassionate, and loving care for all of our “four” legged friends on behalf of our dear Owen.
Dr. Bonnie Burke
Dr. Bonnie Burke graduated from Michigan State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. She continued her education and career with a rotating internship in medicine and surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Burke returned to Michigan and worked for a group of veterinary hospitals for six years.
Dr. Burke was living in the fabulous city of Ferndale with her partner, Kathryn Watterson while commuting to different cities to work. Astonished that Ferndale did not have an existing veterinary clinic, they founded Little Friends of Ferndale Veterinary Care in June of 2005. Their goal was to create a unique, warm, and inviting clinic. Dr. Burke remains thrilled and honored to have the support of such a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community. Together they created a practice that embraces a progressive, holistic, and compassionate approach to and for every patient.
Dr. Burke is a certified Fear Free practitioner. She remains committed to creating a positive and individual approach for all welcomed Little Friends. Dr. Burke maintains immense gratitude to her incredible staff and terrific clientele. “I truly embrace every patient with respect and admiration. My life is forever improved and enriched by the simple, authentic, and unconditional love I am showered with every day.”
Dr. Khayya Kelly
Dr. Khayya Kelly was born and raised in Detroit, MI. She graduated from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. She returned home to Michigan after graduation and began her career working as an associate doctor in a variety of practices, including emergency hospitals, for 8 years.
In 2002, she opened her own business as an independent contractor or relief veterinarian. Practicing as a relief veterinarian allows her the freedom and flexibility she needed to spend quality time with her family (including her husband, two children, and many animals) and to pursue her love of travel.
Practicing as a relief doctor in hundreds of hospitals for 20+ years has allowed Dr. Kelly to amass knowledge on a variety of styles of practice, novel and innovative medical treatments/patient care, and client education. All of these experiences, both positive and negative, have formed her personal style of practice: to give the client the experience, treatment, and education that she would want if she was the client.
Dr. Kelly is Fear Free Certified, and has a special interest in internal medicine, cytology, dermatology, and animal behavior.
Dr. Molly Amon
Dr. Molly Amon grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, but she was born around the corner in Royal Oak, Michigan. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology at NC State University. This summer, she graduated from veterinary school at the University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland, before joining the LFOF team.
Before graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Amon had clinical experience ranging from working as a veterinary assistant with dogs and cats to volunteering in a wildlife rehabilitation center in South Africa and working with sheep and cows in the countryside of Ireland. Although she has always wanted to do small animal medicine, it was especially clear after her time at an ASPCA spay/neuter clinic and her internal medicine and surgery rotations in veterinary school.
We welcome Dr Amon’s extensive experience, love of emergency and internal medicine, and peaceful, loving, and calm disposition with animals. Outside of work, Dr. Amon loves traveling, being outside, and spending time with her rescue cat, Chai.
Kathryn Watterson
Kathryn Watterson had the distinct pleasure of opening Little Friends of Ferndale Veterinary Care in 2005 with her partner Dr. Bonnie Burke. Kathryn graduated from Michigan State University Veterinary Technology program in 1992. As a Licensed Veterinary Technician, she spent 13 years of service at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan. Kathryn became one of the first LVTs in the state of Michigan to specialize in canine semen cryogenics and canine reproduction. In 2003 she finished her Bachelor of General Studies at Oakland University in Rochester, Mi. In conjunction with performing duties as an LVT, she spent ten years in upper management at Leader Dogs with a keen interest in the practice and implementation of positive animal husbandry.
Although Kathryn utilizes her LVT skills at Little Friends of Ferndale Care whenever necessary, she spends most of her time behind the scenes as the Practice Administrator, making sure LFOF is running smoothly, efficiently, and effectively. Kathryn became a Fear Free certified practitioner in the fall of 2019 and is currently expecting to receive her MA in Consciousness and Human Potential from Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa, in June of 2020.
When she is not at LFOF, she enjoys spending time with her partner, her dog Pippa Roux, and cat Kipper. She enjoys Transcendental Meditation, Sanskrit recitation, cooking, gardening, and spending time outdoors. “I feel incredibly humbled and lucky to be of service every day. Since I was a small child, I have always had a profound affinity and deep connection with animals. To be of service every day and do what I feel my soul was meant to do, to fulfill my dharmic purpose, leaves me with an unwavering sense of satisfaction, peace, and immense gratitude.”
Rhonda Stevenson
Rhonda has had the privilege to have been a Little Friends employee for the past 12 years. She is a leading veterinary receptionist, who’s calm demeanor and presence creates a peaceful and welcoming environment at LFOF. She has a sound knowledge base of the field, and she recently completed her Fear Free certification, which has strengthened her commitment to helping create a positive experience for all of our Little Friends. “I have enjoyed being in the pet care industry for a combined 36 years now in clinics locally as well as Florida. It has always been fulfilling to see happy and well cared for pets, and to know I played some small part in it.
Nancy Karasma
Nancy became a member of Team Little Friends in July 2008 as a veterinary assistant. “With her cheerful disposition, she has been a positive force within our facility.” Previously a manager at an insurance company and then a ‘stay-at-home-mom,’ she is driven, meticulous, and has a natural nurturing ability. “Her positive and nurturing disposition helps Little Friends provide our patrons with exceptional nursing care, as well as provides Team Little Friends with a positive and supportive work environment.” Nancy is Fear-Free certified, and her experience and strong knowledge base is an asset in mentoring new and existing employees. She enjoys reading and scrapbooking in her pastime. Nancy also happily devotes care to her husband, three grown children, and Charley, her Puggle, as well as her many fur-grand-kids.
Abby Petri
Abby has been working in the pet care industry for over a decade. She happily joined our team here at Little Friends of Ferndale as a veterinary assistant at the beginning of 2017 after managing a daycare and boarding facility for nearly ten years. “Abby very easily gained a strong knowledge base of veterinary medicine, and her natural nurturing, love, and passion for the welfare of all animals make her an exceptional assistant and patient advocate.” Her hard work, dedication to the craft, and exceptional to be of service attitude have gotten her recently promoted to a Clin Tech position where she has very easily become an invaluable team player.
She became fear-free certified in the fall of 2019 and enjoys utilizing those tips and techniques every day to create the best possible experience for every pet that enters the facility. When she is not an attentive caregiver here at work, she enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her Fiance Rich, family, friends, and her fantastic dog Fonzie. “I am delighted and extremely grateful to be able to do something that I am so passionate about for a living. I thoroughly enjoy providing the best care and comfort for animals.”
Lesley Keller
Lesley began her career in the veterinary field as a receptionist in 2013 and quickly decided this was the career path and explored her skills as a veterinary technician. She spent eight years working for North Main Animal Hospital before applying her emergency technician skills at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services. Although emergency medicine was exciting and rewarding, Lesley decided that she greatly missed being an integral part of building client relationships and sought to work in general practice again. Lesley’s immense appreciation for the human-animal bond and her years of veterinary expertise made her a welcomed receptionist to LFOF’s team.
In her spare time, she enjoys watching documentaries, staying abreast of the latest information in Veterinary Medicine, gaming, and spending time with her boxer (Addie), cat (James), and ferret (Lilith).
Joanna Pennebaker
Joanna has always had a special connection with animals and a fascination with medicine. She combined her interest and started a career in veterinary medicine in 2011. She worked as a Veterinary Assistant at a small private practice while attending the Veterinary Technician program at Wayne County Community College. She graduated with her degree in Veterinary Technology in 2013 and became a Licensed Veterinary Technician. She spent the next 9 years working for Michigan Humane, 2.5 of those years were spent in a management role.
Her time at Michigan Humane helped her develop a strong set of technical and interpersonal skills. She has a special interest in anesthesia, dentistry, and education. She also has a special fondness for felines. She is currently working on her Fear Free certification. Joanna also currently serves on the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine, which helps regulate the practice of Veterinary Medicine in the state.
Outside of work, Joanna enjoys spending time outdoors, she is an avid hiker and enjoys kayaking. She also enjoys going to concerts and has seen her favorite band live 25+ times. She loves exploring Michigan with her boyfriend and checking out new breweries and wineries. She currently shares her home with one very special kitty named Sentry.
Steven Stoddard
Born and raised in Metro Detroit, Steven has a deep personal connection with the LFOF community. Growing up only a few miles from the eventual location of LFOF, he was always fascinated by animals and the incredible amount of diversity in the animal kingdom. He would even spend some of his free time as a child researching animals and creating “book reports” to share with his family and friends. The oldest of 3 children in his family, Steven also took on the role of caretaker from an early age, learning the value of patience, diligence, and humility which he brings with him into his role as a veterinary assistant. He enjoys meeting, taking care of, and learning from every animal that he encounters.
Steven’s educational and professional backgrounds are diverse. He earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Oakland Community College in 2018 before completing a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and History from Wayne State University in 2022. Professionally, he has worked in a variety of industries including the medical field, the service and entertainment industry, and, most recently, at a non-profit in Detroit. In addition to Steven is currently continuing his educational pursuits by taking the remainder of his required prerequisites before eventually applying to veterinary school himself.
Steven currently shares his home with his rescue dog Gus. When he’s not at work or at school, Steven enjoys going to the gym, cooking, and watching or playing sports with his family and friends.
Sandi
Sandi graduated from the Macomb Community College Veterinary Technician program in 2014. After graduation, she worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Veterinary Emergency Medicine. Mid-way through her career, Sandi decided to switch gears and moved into a veterinary receptionist position within a veterinary general medicinal practice. Bringing her passion for helping animals and their companions, she brought her experience and expertise to Little Friends of Ferndale when she first started as a receptionist in 2019.
From 2021-2022, she explored different positions within a larger group of veterinary offices. Feeling like this wasn’t a good fit for her and coming full circle, we welcome Sandi back to LFOF. Her veterinary experience, knowledge base, and overall love for the companion-animal bond are welcome assets to our practice. We are incredibly thrilled to have her back on Team LFOF. When not working, Sandi enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with her friends. She has one dog, Iggy, and he is quite a rascal!
Maggie DeVaughn
Maggie grew up always mindful of her love and care of animals. She has many memories of putting this passion to good use as a foster parent for several cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies. Such experiences led her to explore large animal care while volunteering and honing her animal husbandry skills at a large animal rescue/sanctuary where she tended to several horses, goats, chickens, and the occasional dog and cat.
We welcome Maggie to team LFOF and hope to continue to foster her gentle nature and love of animals as she explores a career in Veterinary Medicine. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time outside with friends. Maggie and her fiancé live in Romeo with their three cats, Malcolm, Sora, and Minerva. They enjoy traveling; she enjoys exploring, being outside, seeing new things, and dabbling in photography. When she’s not outside or playing with her cats, she loves playing video games and reading good books.
“Becoming part of this team has been amazing for me and made me realize this is my true passion and purpose in life. I am hopeful I will learn from the technicians along the way and eventually pursue a career as a licensed technician.”
Denise Hennessy
Denise was born and raised in the beautiful countryside of Ireland. She grew up helping her family on their sheep and dairy farms. Being around large and small animals from a young age greatly influenced her career path in Veterinary Medicine. She knew early on that she wanted to be around animals, providing care, advocacy, and agency.
Denise went to veterinary technician school and shortly after graduation moved to America in 2010. Her veterinary career has always been in general practice, where she has spent the past 16 years working with small animals and exotics. We were delighted to have her join Team LFOF in the spring of 2025. She “is excited to join LFOF and hopes to build a long and lasting career and relationship with the community of Ferndale, as she misses the small-town feel where clients become like family.”
She is dedicated to treating each animal at LFOF as if they were her own, and her love and compassion for animals shine through in her calm, open, and cheerful disposition. In her spare time, Denise spends time with her husband, three dogs, Whiskey, Tequila, Darla, and her cat Whitney. She enjoys hiking and bicycling and has a big place in her heart for all bully breeds.