Meet Our Team of Professionals

Dr. Mary Cardeccia, DVM, DACVSMR, CVA, CVFT, CCRT, CAC, CCMT, CVPP attended Michigan State University, where she received her BS in Animal Sciences in 1991 and her DVM with honors in 1995. She has practiced primarily small animal medicine and surgery since 1995, as well as maintaining involvement in equine practice through judging endurance and competitive trail rides for over 20 years. Dr. Mary is board-certified in canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation; she is also certified in both Veterinary Acupuncture and Veterinary Food Therapy through the Chi Institute, Canine Rehabilitation Therapy through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute, Animal Chiropractic through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (studied at Parker Chiropractic College), Canine Massage Therapy through Brandenburg Massage Therapy, and Veterinary Pain Management through the International Academy of Veterinary Pain Management. She is a second-degree Reiki practitioner since 2005, and also has obtained certification in Advanced Avian Medicine and Surgery through the North American Veterinary Post-Graduate Institute as well as holding a certification as a Pet Loss Bereavement Counselor through the association for Pet Loss and Bereavement.

Dr. Mary became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2022. Her current practice includes conditioning and injury prevention in canine athletes, rehabilitation after injury or post-surgery, neurological recovery, and maintaining comfort and mobility in geriatric patients, but she is always up for a new adventure! Dr. Mary is committed to providing compassionate integrative veterinary care based on the needs of her patients and the beliefs of their human families.

Dr. Luiza Mariani, DVM, CVA, MSc, PhD joins ARF this summer as a Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Intern and brings a wide range of veterinary expertise from her home in Brazil. Dr. Luiza attended the Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, where she received her education in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science. Previously she has served in a variety of veterinary roles including: Anatomy Professor at the Autonomous University Center of Brazil, Veterinary Acupuncture Certification Professor and Course Coordinator, and Wild Animal General Practice and Surgery. She’s also experienced life as a veterinarian supporting: Omaha Nebraska’s Zoo, the Mounted Police Regiment of CAVALARIA, the Johannesburg Zoo – in South Africa.

Dr. Luiza brings her expertise in veterinary medicine and acupuncture to Dexter with her husband and family. They arrived just in time to experience the Dexter Daze Festival!

Kim Beach, CCRA, CCFT  took the helm of the ARF treatment team in June of 2023. Kim brings a unique perspective to our program, as she is certified in both canine rehabilitation and canine conditioning, and has 19- and 15-years’ experience respectively. Kim obtained her Canine Rehabilitation Assistant certification through Canine Rehabilitation Institute, and her Canine Fitness Trainer certifications are through University of Tennessee (now North Carolina State) and the American Kennel Club. Kim brings a commitment to getting all of her patients to live their best life possible, whether conditioning for elite competition, or maintaining mobility and comfort during geriatric years.

In her free time Kim enjoys teaching pet obedience/fitness, sport/competition conditioning, biking and spending time with her dog, Dutch and husband Joe.

Denise  joined ARF’s team in 2016 as Office Manager.  She brings over 10 years’ experience managing veterinary clinics and taking care of fur babies and their families. Denise began her career as a paralegal, but her love of animals drew her into a significant career change.  Her own critter family includes 4 Border Collies and 3 cats.

Tina is one of ARF’s amazing licensed veterinary technicians and became part of our team in August of 2018. Born and raised right next door in Ann Arbor, Tina brings years of veterinary experience to our team. Tina worked in the Wayne State University Research department and put herself through the veterinary technician program where she received summa cum laude and was Vice President of her class. She managed an exotics animal hospital for several years, then worked for a dear friend in small animal practice before joining ARF. When she’s not helping keep our patients in tip top shape, Tina enjoys reading and travelling.

Kelli joined ARF’s team of amazing Veterinary Technician’s in March of 2021. Another Michigan native, Kelli brings over 13 years’ experience working with animals to ARF. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her two kids, family and friends and may be exploring the world of agility or flyball someday soon with her dog Whisky.

Autumn is amazing! Bio coming soon 🙂

Anna joined the ARF team as an assistant in 2023, and has moved into the technician role as she finishes her coursework to earn her veterinary technician license. She is awesome, and we will add more details to her bio soon!

Sarah .joined the ARF team in 2024, and has taken the lead on all things assistant! OK, maybe she is our lead assistant, potato, potahto 😉 Watch for her actual bio soon!

Hannah is awesome! Joined our team early in 2024, and has quickly become indispensible! Watch for her real bio to come soon 🙂

Lexie is awesome! bio coming soon…

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Lindsey joined ARF’s team in December of 2012 as a veterinary assistant and receptionist.  She brings twelve years’ experience working with small animal clinics in both general and emergency medicine. Lindsey has always wanted to work with animals and her own fur babies include 4 dogs (Isadora, Uri, Frankie and Gracie) a bunny (Hiccup) and 2 guinea pigs (Eevie and Panchum.)

Sydney is one of ARF’s amazing receptionists and joined ARF in February of 2020. She grew up in Pleasant Lake and although she was disappointed to learn she could not grow up to be another Steve Irwin (CRIKEY is that a croc?!), Sydney decided to study environmental science at Jackson College. When she’s not doing 62 things-at-once at ARF, Sydney relaxes with painting or gardening.

Riley is awesome! Bio coming soon…

Crystal just joined our team in December 2024…watch for her bio soon!

Quartney is the newest addition to our team, but make no mistake, she is our most solid receptionist! A Dexter native, Quartney turned up while we were out working on the landscaping around the office, and we decided to put her skills to the test. Time and time again, she has proven that she is more than capable of holding things down at the front desk. Don’t let her hard exterior fool you, she gets quite sedimental about our patients.