Dr. Pandov is a 2019 graduate of Midwestern University. She is a married mother of three humans and two dogs. She loves all things outdoors; hiking, camping, shooting guns and bows and gardening. To top it off she also plays the violin!
Dr. Steve Crofoot began his career with Grand Paws in 2009 as a part-time doctor working only 1 day a week. Little did he know, we would need him much more than that as the years passed and our practice expanded. Steve grew up in Kansas on a large cattle farm that had up to 40 thousand head of cattle at a time! He married his wife, Geni in 1970, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in both Biology and Chemistry, and graduated from Kansas State University with his degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1979. He and Geni raised their two children while he continued to work at clinics throughout Minnesota and eventually opened his own practice in Wichita, Kansas. After 10 years he decided to sell the practice and make the move West. They moved to Phoenix and he practiced throughout the West Valley finally settling in at Grand Paws. Steve's other passion in life is golf. He tries to be on the course every chance he gets.
We are so pleased to have Dr. Michele Johnson as part of our Grand Paws family! Michele's deep love for animals combined with her fascination for learning about what makes the bodywork drew her to the veterinary field. She grew up in North Dakota, with her parents and two sisters, and enlisted in the Army Reserves where she served 16 years and became an officer for a medical unit. She married her husband, Tim in 2000. Michele began her college years at the University of Mary in Bismark where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. She then took pre-veterinary classes at North Dakota State University and received her degree in Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2004. She is the proud owner of 5 adorable dogs and 1 loving kitty. When she's not working she's hanging out with her husband and daughter Savannah, playing marbles, camping, and spending time on their boat. She loves the snow and tries to head to Northern Arizona to ski whenever she gets the chance.
Allison is a jack of (almost) all trades. We have been lucky to have her with us and watch her grow in her skills over the years. This talented girl has trained with us to reach her goal of becoming a technician. After much hard work and determination, she has met that goal. It takes a lot to be a Grand Paws technician! She has 4 kitties, Ricky, Roscoe, Schitzo, and Ziggy, and is the ultimate cat lover. Just ask to see pictures of them and she will be happy to oblige. When Allison is not working, she tries to spend time in the kitchen, whipping up vegan recipes and then works those calories off by being on the trails hiking (when the temperatures aren't too high). She also loves yoga and uses it as a relaxation technique. She's anything but boring and we love her smart, witty personality!
Kelly is another one of our very talented technicians, who has been with Grand Paws since 2014. She has always been surrounded by animals and her love for them started at an early age growing up near the cornfields of Northern Illinois. Dogs, cats, gerbils, and other small animals graced her home and large breed animals filled the barns she frequented. Kelly started working with horses at a farm when she was 14 years old and began showing Morgans Saddleseat. She pursued 4H and FFA throughout high school. When she was 18 she began working as a kennel assistant with a local veterinarian and decided veterinary medicine was where her passion was. She then went on to college at the University of Illinois, earning her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science. In 1999 she moved to Florida and worked as an intern Animal Presentor at Animal Kingdom around the Tree of Life. After graduation, she moved back to Illinois to pursue her career as a veterinary technician at a local clinic. Six months later, she followed her dream to work at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, where she handled small mammals, giraffes, wolves, and pachyderms (such as elephants, rhinos, and hippos). After 3 years, she decided to return home and resumed work in Northern Illinois. Kelly met her husband, DJ and they decided to move to Surprise in 2007 to raise their family. When she's not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young children, Jackson and Olivia. You can find them outdoors, hiking, traveling, and enjoying nature.
She is small but mighty! In 2011, Lyn was hired at Grand Paws as a technician and she quickly became a favorite of staff, clients, and patients alike. Her cheerful and enthusiastic attitude has been essential in making Grand Paws what it is today. Growing up in the Philippines, Lyn shared her time between living in the city and working on the family pig farm; where she helped to raise and sell piglets and castrated pigs. After losing a puppy to parvo and forging a relationship with a local veterinarian, Lyn knew veterinary medicine was the path for her. In 2007, Lyn and her parents made the big move to California. She left everything she knew in the Philippines, including four sisters and a brother, some of who her family planned to help make the move at a later time. Within three weeks of arriving in America, Lyn found a job at a local animal clinic She was hired on as a kennel assistant and a receptionist and quickly moved to a technician position that lasted for over a year. Eventually, Lyn's family decided to move to Arizona where Lyn met her girlfriend, Shien. Once in Arizona, Lyn continued down the career path that she is so passionate about; veterinary medicine. She soon found her place at Grand Paws and the rest is history! If you are lucky enough to know Lyn, you know she is a very friendly, positive person who is also a hard worker. In 2015, she proudly achieved her goal of becoming a United States Citizen. Lyn and Shien share a home in Surprise with their 3 dogs; Dragon, Zane, and Mikey. They love to travel to see family and friends as much as possible and on the weekend you may find them singing karaoke or exploring new places to eat across the valley.
Ambur has called Grand Paws Animal Clinic her home away from home since September 2015. If your pet has had the benefit of a stem cell procedure, you've already met. Ambur has an eye for detail and is very passionate about her job as a veterinary technician. Growing up in Yuma, Ambur knew from a young age she wanted to become a veterinarian. Her life revolved around animals. When she was 9 years old, she became involved in 4H, where she spent years raising sheep and pigs. Entering high school she knew she wanted to continue to be involved in working with livestock and FFA (Future Farmers of America) helped teach her how to raise production steer, eventually granting her a monetary award for raising a Grand Champion. This award started to prepare her savings to account for college. In 2002, she was granted the title of Rodeo Queen, which doesn't just mean she has a pretty face. She had to pass through several categories including speech, modeling, horsemanship, and an interview. A rodeo queen is a female representative and "face" of the sport of rodeo for her region. Ambur was also involved in the National Barrel Horse Association, as a competitive barrel racer. She participated in the World Youth Finals located in Mississippi and placed 1st for the state of Arizona. When Ambur was 18 she started a job working at a small animal practice where she went through hands-on training to prepare her to become a veterinary technician. Once fully trained, she worked there for 2 years and got her start as a technician. In 2006, Ambur moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado to pursue her degree. She graduated from Colorado State University in 2011 with her Bachelor's Degree in Business and Animal Science. After graduation, she relocated back to Yuma and worked as a technician. Throughout her life, her now-husband, Kenny has been a constant fixture. Ambur and Kenny grew up together, as their families had been long time friends. Over the years, their relationship progressed. They moved from childhood friends to navigating the path of dating, to deciding they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. In 2015, just a few months after Ambur began her career at Grand Paws, she and Kenny married. They share their Wittman home with Ambur's stepson, Ryder, 5 dogs, and 11 horses. Ambur has not given up her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She has worked hard to acquire more hands-on experience in the field she loves and plans to enroll in the veterinary program at the University of Arizona. Some day she will be Ambur Brown DVM.
For general information, questions and appointment requests, call us at: 623-322-3919
Email Us: happypaws@grand-paws.com
Monday 7:30 am - 6:00pm
Tuesday 7:30 am - 6:00pm
Wednesday 7:30 am - 6:00pm
Thursday 7:30 am - 6:00pm
Friday 7:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday 7:30am - 6:00pm
Sunday Closed