Meet Our Team
Dr Allison McGann - Owner, Veterinarian
Doctor Allison McGann is originally from Monterey County in California. She realized her passion for connecting animals and people at a young age, and decided to pursue veterinary medicine as her chosen profession. She attended undergraduate education at the California State University, Chico where she met the person who would become her spouse and biggest supporter, Nick.
Dr McGann attended veterinary school in Scotland. Glasgow quickly became her second home, and provided the backdrop for immense professional and personal growth. Scotland is the home of Dr McGann’s maternal family, and Morningside is the community near Edinburgh where her great-grandmother, Amelia Imrie, was born and raised. It gives her unimaginable pride to have studied and started her own family in the place of her forebears.
Returning to Chico once more, Dr McGann feels her two worlds come together in Morningside Animal Hospital in this great community. She has built strong, life-long connections in Chico and the surrounding areas, and feels at home in this special gem of a town where time seems to ease by. In her free time, Dr McGann enjoys reading, running, needlework, camping trips with her husband and kids, and being on a trail with her dogs. She continues to add animals to her household at unspecified intervals, and currently has an Australian Shepherd named Tess, a Golden Retriever named Crosby, and three feisty cats: Boots, Bingles and Beatrix Kiddo (BB).
Dr McGann is honored to create her own touchstone as a homegrown business in Chico, and all the support she will give to those who come through her doors.
Tina Mickelson - Hospital Manager
Tina Mickelson grew up in Paradise, married her wonderful husband and they have two amazing grown kids. As a child, her home was full of dogs, various farm animals and horses; and as an adult they’ve always had dogs that were their kids’ best friends, their hunting companions and her running buddies. She can’t imagine a time in her life where she wouldn't have a dog with her. They currently have three dogs - two chocolate labs named Sage and Sawyer Brown and a German Shepherd / Australian Cattle dog mix Shelby. They also live with their grandpup husky named Fern, and adore their grandcat Gnocchi at their other son's home. Some of Tina’s favorite things to do are trail running, hiking, backpacking, fly fishing and reading. She has a passion for travel and is looking forward to her next adventures both stateside and abroad.
Savy Jenkins - Receptionist
Savy Jenkins was raised in Chico and has always had a deep love for animals and being able to help them. She has worked as an assistant trainer and barn manager, and she is dedicated to providing reliable support to people and their pets. Savy loves to be outdoors in any way she can with her boys - three dogs (all brothers) and three horses.
Lauren O’Brien - Certified Veterinary Assistant
Lauren O’Brien grew up in Orland, California, and has had a passion for animals ever since she was little. After joining FFA in high school and raising her own herd of sheep, she was inspired to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
She currently owns two cats, Oliver and Ophelia. Oliver is a longhair Siamese and Ophelia is a deaf, all white longhair. Lauren spends most of her free time at the gun range, going to concerts, hiking to waterfalls, or in the kitchen baking.
Sam Braga - Registered Veterinary Technician
Sam Braga was raised in Oroville California in the hills on a beautiful 11 acre property. Her love for animals began as a young child, and she has always dreamt of becoming a veterinarian herself. At home, Sam and her family have a wonderfully chaotic household that includes four large dogs, three indoor cats plus four kittens who will become outdoor hunters when fully grown, eight chickens, two ducks and a bunny.
Sam absolutely loves big cats and wolves, and describes herself as an odd mix of country, classical and nerdy. Some of her interests and hobbies include ballroom dancing, painting, hiking and gaming.
Brooke Camacho - Veterinary Assistant / RVT in Training
Brooke Camacho is originally from Burney, California - where there are only two stop lights, and the entire town knows you by name. Animals have always been a form of consolation in her small world, and for that reason, she chose to give the same grace and selflessness straight back to them. Veterinary medicine gives the best of both worlds, animals and the touch of medicine - and that’s what she loves about it. She is in the RVT program at Yuba College, with plans to become an RVT in 2026.
Brooke has a petite black cat named Evie, and her hobbies include collecting random trinkets, thrifting, and binge watching literally everything.
Chie Downs - Veterinary Assistant
Chie Downs is a dedicated Veterinary Assistant with a love for all creatures great and small. With a background working with both small animals and equine, she finds immense joy in helping our furry friends live their best lives. When she’s not at the clinic, you can usually find her outdoors, soaking up nature's beauty. Whether she’s camping under the stars, fishing by a lake or river, or hiking through the trails, Chie is all about embracing the great outdoors. Her passion for animals and love for adventure go hand in hand, fueling her desire to make a positive impact in the lives of both pets and their humans.
Heather Schoeppach - Marketing and Digital Engagement
Heather Schoeppach was born in Idaho and raised in Happy Camp, California. Her love for animals drew her to begin volunteering for the local humane society when she moved to Chico. After graduating from California State University, Chico, her volunteering and nonprofit work experience grew into many different leadership roles at Butte Humane Society as well as part-time contract work with other animal welfare nonprofits and local marketing agencies. Now, she is excited to channel these years of experience into helping Morningside Animal Hospital succeed in its vibrant community-based vision to provide better service for animals and people alike.
Heather and her better half, husband Matt Brown, are currently ruled by five cats - an elderly Scottish Fold named Violet, a not-so-elderly Scottish Fold orange girl named Tallulah, sister dilute calicos Ripley and Waffles, and the youngest and only boy, Sleepy Dan. Her hobbies include rockhounding, gardening, gaming, and nerding out about music with Dr McGann.