Meet the Staff
Dr. Kathryn Christy
She grew up in Troy, Michigan, and began her career in animal care as a kennel assistant at Gasow Veterinary Hospital while in high school. After spending seven years at Michigan State University in East Lansing, earning both her bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. She worked as an associate veterinarian for seven years in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Dr. Christy returned to the Detroit area in 1998 and practiced at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates before opening Oakland Hills Veterinary Hospital in 2012.
Dr. Christy’s professional interests include internal medicine, geriatrics, dermatology, and dentistry. She completes at least 50 hours of continuing education annually and has attended professional seminars across the country, including in Florida, Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, and Michigan. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), the Southeast Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (SEMVMA), and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). She also serves as a council member and Past President of SEMVMA.
Dr. Christy lives in Troy with her husband, John; their dogs, Hector, Mami, and Chana; their cats, Bella and Boots; and two snakes, Angelo and Vivian. She has three adult children who also live in Michigan. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Christy enjoys cooking, gardening, biking, reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.
Dr. Emily Socks
Dr. Emily Socks joined Oakland Hills Veterinary Hospital as an associate veterinarian in 2016. She obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in 2015 and is a USDA accredited and licensed veterinarian in Michigan and Georgia. She has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Michigan State University. Following veterinary school, Dr. Socks completed a one-year, small animal, rotating internship at a large specialty and emergency veterinary hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. She returned to Michigan to be closer to her family and continue her career as a general practitioner.
Dr. Socks’s professional interests include internal medicine, radiology, and ophthalmology. She also enjoys discussing animal behavior and training. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), and the Southeast Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (SEMVMA). Dr. Socks is also a council member and newsletter editor for SEMVMA. She is a member of the SEMVMA Academy for which yearly recognition is given for exemplary achievement in continued education for professional development.
When Dr. Socks isn’t at the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors – hiking, biking, kayaking, or playing tennis with her husband, Mark, sons, Owen and Austin, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Hazel. Dr. Socks loves to travel and spent 6 weeks working in India and 4 weeks doing a study abroad program in South Africa. She has explored Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, and most of mainland Europe. She has two cats, Violet and Winston, who love to snuggle and know a variety of tricks.
Dr. Laura Van de Grift
Dr. Laura Van de Grift graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. She is a USDA-accredited and licensed veterinarian in Michigan. She has special interests in diagnostic imaging, surgery, and internal medicine, and a passion for client education. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), and the Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (SEMVMA).
During her free time, Dr. Van de Grift enjoys reading mystery and science fiction novels, biking, and playing video and board games. Her family includes her husband Drew, her son Harold, her twins Edith & Sylvia, and a feisty Calico cat named Wilhelmina.
Magda Jablecki, Practice Manager & LVT
Magda, our Practice Manager and Licensed Veterinary Technician, began her veterinary career in 2003 as a kennel assistant and quickly moved into a receptionist role. While working the front desk, she attended Macomb Community College and graduated as an LVT in 2008. Magda has been an essential part of Oakland Hills Veterinary Hospital since it opened in January 2012, growing with the practice and taking on both leadership and technical responsibilities. She has a strong professional interest in dentistry and anesthesia and continues to support both the medical and management sides of the hospital.
When she’s not at work, Magda loves spending time with family and friends, attending concerts (especially country shows), reading, building Legos, tackling puzzles, and heading to Downtown Detroit every chance she gets. Since buying her first home in 2017, she’s also enjoyed relaxing with her three cats, Flea, Sprout, and Brewer.
Quynn Petty, LVT
Quynn has been a licensed veterinary technician since 2017 and joined the team at Oakland Hills Veterinary Hospital in 2021. She has a strong professional interest in anesthesia, behavioral medicine, and client education. Quynn is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care and values building trust with both patients and their owners through clear communication and support.
Outside of work, Quynn enjoys spending football Sundays with her wife, Katie, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with family and friends. At home, they share their lives with three cats—Oliver, Winnie, and Spaghetti—and a horse named Mya.
Leah, LVT
Leah joined our team in February 2025. She graduated from the Veterinary Technician Program at Macomb Community College in 2021. Leah started her veterinary career in 2017 at an exotic hospital and has experience with many different species. 
Some special interests Leah has are anesthesia and client education. When she is not at work, she loves to hike, play volleyball, read fiction novels, and travel up north with her family and pets. At home, she has a loving husband (Karl), 2 sons (Anton and Nolan), 2 dogs (Hyzer and Zuca), and a leopard gecko (Def Leopard). 
Sam, LVT
Sam joined our team in March 2025. Sam became an LVT in 2018 when she graduated from Macomb Community College. Sam loves being a Vet tech and always knew she wanted to work with animals, even as a little girl, growing up on a farm and working alongside her foster mom at her local animal shelter as a kid.
One of her passions is canine behavior and training. Her dog Takai knows over 45 commands! Outside of work, Sam enjoys hiking and spending cozy nights in with her wife, Alisyn, their dog Takai, and their cat Princess Grilliam Cheese.
Audrey, Veterinary Assistant
Coming soon…
Katie, Kennel Assistant
Katie joined our team in 2021 as a Kennel Assistant, where she combines her lifelong love of animals with hands-on care every day.
A devoted animal lover, Katie has embraced a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle for more than nine years. At home, she shares her life with her husband and two playful ferrets, Momo and Chai. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her husband, spending time with friends, and unwinding with a good video game.
Helping animals live healthier, happier lives is at the heart of everything Katie does. While she is still exploring her long-term career path, she is grateful for the opportunity to grow in veterinary medicine and make a meaningful difference in the lives of pets.
Hunter, Kennel Assistant
Hunter started his journey with our team in 2022 as a Kennel Assistant. When it comes to animals, Hunter has always had a passion and a warm heart for them all. Whether it be giving some scratches and snuggles to any of his 4 indoor cats or the 2 outdoor cats at his home, teaching his Rouen duck (Franklin) new tricks like sitting on his shoulder or sharing amazing stories of the work “pets” he now has with his family, Hunter is nothing but compassionate and caring towards all furry friends. 
Hunter hopes to advance his career by becoming a vet tech in the near future! Outside of work, Hunter enjoys spending time with his family and friends, riding dirt bikes, and spending time at his family cabin up north!
Maddy, Kennel Assistant
Maddy joined our team as a kennel assistant in late 2022 and has been a wonderful addition to our staff. She plans to attend Macomb Community College to continue her education in the veterinary field with the goal of becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Maddy was inspired to pursue veterinary medicine after watching her Aunt Magda, a hospital manager and LVT, dedicate her career to helping animals. Having grown up surrounded by animals, Maddy has always had a strong passion for their care and well-being. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Collin, her family and friends, and her four cats, Butterscotch, Jamie, Juniper, and Binx.
Kaylie, Receptionist
Kaylie started at Oakland Hills Veterinary Hospital in September of 2023. Shortly after joining the team, she began pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Health and Behavior through Unity Environmental University. With a passion for animal care and education, Kaylie hopes to build a career in zoology, wildlife rehabilitation, zookeeping, or scientific illustration. Her long-term goal is to open her own cat and wildlife rehabilitation and rescue center.
Kaylie enjoys being part of the Oakland Hills team, where she has the opportunity to meet incredible animals and assist in their care when they’re not feeling their best. She values building relationships with clients and takes pride in helping them navigate their pets’ needs. Her role as a receptionist allows her to combine her passion for animals with her love for connecting with people in a truly meaningful way.
Kaylie shares her home with her partner, Nate, and their three cats: Motley, Leo, and Link. When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll often find her playing The Sims, reading a good book, or spending time in nature.
Nick, Receptionist
Since starting at Oakland Hills Veterinary Hospital in May of 2025, Nick has developed a new appreciation for the world of veterinary medicine. He has lived with animals his entire life, dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, fish, geckos, snakes, and newts, but he has never seen behind the scenes until now.
“It is amazing to work alongside a team that would do anything to keep pets safe and healthy.”
Nick’s core values include the importance of community, the importance of physical and mental health, respect and love for diversity, and a commitment to striving for excellence.
Nick manages Oakland Hills Veterinary’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Check them out!
Check out my website, too!
Sue, Receptionist
Sue joined Oakland Hills in December 2025, bringing with her four years of veterinary medicine experience and nearly twenty years as a professional dog trainer. She has a strong passion for continued learning and staying current on fear-free, compassionate ways to interact with animals.Sue holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University and spent several years in the corporate world before realizing her true fulfillment came from working with animals.
Outside of work, Sue enjoys reading, crafting, spending time with her dogs, and volunteering at Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC).
Foxy – Retired
Foxy joined Oakland Hills Veterinary Hospital in 2014 after being brought to the clinic by a staff member as a kitten. Possibly the sassiest of our clinic cats, she became fondly known for making herself at home in cupboards and cabinets throughout the building. Foxy was a beloved fixture of the clinic, and many remember her playful spirit and independent charm.
Foxy has officially retired from her duties as one of our beloved clinic cats and is now enjoying life in her forever home. She spends her days doing what she loves most, perching by the window to watch the world go by, playing with her favorite toys, and curling up to watch TV with her new owner. While we miss having her around the clinic, we are so happy to know she’s soaking up all the love and comfort she deserves in her new home.
Peanut (Butters) – Retired
Peanut, lovingly known as Butters, joined our staff in 2015 after a client found her as a stray kitten. During her years at the clinic, she quickly won hearts with her sweet nature and love of napping in sunny windows, curling up in her sombrero bed, and watching TV. Now happily retired, Peanut is enjoying her days being spoiled by her new owner, playing, receiving plenty of love, and indulging in her favorite treats.
In Memory of Gladys
Gladys joined our staff in 2021. One of our clients found her seeking shelter under a car during a storm. She was the bossiest of our kitties. She had no fear and would walk up to any patient. Gladys enjoyed coming up to the front desk to greet clients, napping, and eating.