We enjoy mentoring students and tailor externship experiences to meet each student’s goals for their time with us. We encourage each student to think about their goals and objectives for their externship with us before they come. Students are encouraged to participate and ask questions while they are with us.
Veterinary DVM students will get an even mix of working with our doctors in appointments and in surgery. Veterinary students will get to present cases, differential diagnoses, desired diagnostic testing and review diagnostic results and treatment plans. Students will discuss preventative medicine and practice talking with clients about the value of preventative care. Students can practice setting IV catheters, intubating, and discussing anesthesia protocols. We are happy to allow students to perform spays and neuters (under supervision) on dogs, cats, and rabbits based on their comfort and skill level. Students also have the opportunity to scrub in and assist with other surgeries as well.
If students have an interest in learning more about pocket pet/exotic pet medicine and surgery, orthopedics, business management, or reproductive medicine, they will have the opportunity to have extra focus in those areas.
We will work hard to ensure all school criteria is met during the externship. If there are any specific criteria that needs to be completed during your externship, please make sure we are aware of it prior to or at the start of your time with us.
Blue Lake Animal Hospital was founded in 2020 by Dr. Will and Dr. Heather VanDenHeuvel with a dream of having a clinic that felt different. They have worked hard to develop a culture of remarkable hospitality for our clients, exceptional courtesy between team members, and a focus on patient outcomes. Blue Lake Animal Hospital has grown into a busy veterinary practice that serves the Grand Rapids and Caledonia communities. We provide veterinary care for dogs, cats, pocket pets, and exotic pets.
Blue Lake Animal Hospital is a privately owned, small animal practice. We have 3 full time veterinarians and a wonderful team of receptionists, veterinary technicians (some LVTs and some in school), and a couple veterinary assistants. We have 3 exam rooms, 1 surgery suite, 1 dental table. We offer a full in-house IDEXX laboratory, digital x-ray, digital dental x-ray including a panoramic full mouth x-ray unit, and ultrasound. Our doctors enjoy teaching and mentoring students from high school to college.
Dr. Will had always dreamed of starting his own veterinary clinic and setting a culture of hospitality and excellence in veterinary care. He was excited to have the opportunity to purchase South Crossing Veterinary Clinic in 2020 and found Blue Lake Animal Hospital. Dr. Will was raised in Grand Rapids, attended Calvin College for undergraduate studies, and attended Ross University and Michigan State University for veterinary school. He has a passion for business management, orthopedics, and soft tissue surgery. Outside of work. Dr. Will enjoys working on cars, reading, and looking for new entrepreneurial opportunities.
Dr. Heather has always loved taking care of animals of all species. She was raised in West Michigan and enjoyed summers on her grandfather’s dairy farm. She attended Michigan State University for undergraduate studies and veterinary school. Go Green! Dr. Heather enjoys general medicine and surgery, reproductive medicine, and exotic pet care. Her favorite thing about working at Blue Lake Animal Hospital is working with her amazing team and educating clients and staff. Dr. Heather and Dr. Will have four children, a bouncy Frenchie named Poppy, and two lovely cats named Mittens and Coconut. In her spare time, Dr. Heather enjoys reading, baking, gardening, and crocheting.
Dr. Maycie is a West Michigan native. She attended Grand Valley State University for her undergraduate studies. She met us through one of her veterinary externships and joined our team upon graduating from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine with her DVM in 2023. Go White! Dr. Maycie enjoys general medicine and surgery with a focus on education. She loves mentoring new students and coaches undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. She owns a deaf Boston Terrier named Wilbur and a very special Labrador Retriever named Pippa that had PRAA as a puppy. Dr. Maycie’s hobbies include baking, reading, and traveling.
Our Hours
Monday 8:00am to 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am to 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am to 5:30pm
Thursday 8:00am to 5:30pm
Friday 8:00am to 5:30pm
Saturday CLOSED*
Sunday CLOSED*
*We occasionally have a scheduled c-section on the weekend. Students are encouraged to attend these procedures, but not required.
We ask that students arrive at 8:00am each day of their externship, Monday through Friday. We are closed to the public at 5:30pm, but may be here until 6:00pm.
Students will be shadowing with hands on experience. We do not rely on students for actual support, but encourage them to gain as much supervised hands on, real world experience as they can during their time with us.
1679 68th Street SE
Suite A
Caledonia, MI 49316
United States