Meet Our Veterinary Team

At Chelsea Animal Hospital, our team is the heart of everything we do. For more than 30 years, our staff have been caring for dogs and cats in Chelsea and the surrounding communities—building relationships with clients and their companions based on trust and compassion.

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Our Veterinarians

We’re proud to be a team of experienced, genuinely passionate animal lovers who bring both deep clinical expertise and real personal care to every appointment. When you visit Chelsea Animal Hospital, you’re not just seeing a veterinarian—you’re connecting with a team that truly knows your pet and is invested in their health and happiness for the long haul.
Dr. Paula Rode
Dr. Paula Rode, DVM — Founder & Veterinarian
Dr. Paula Rode is a 1988 Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine alumna. In 1995, Dr. Rode founded Chelsea Animal Clinic and opened its door to the public. Dr. Paula Rode loves working with clients to come up with solutions for problems with their pets. She appreciates how they seem to be on the same team with different roles to care for their most precious furry friends. What Dr. Paula Rode loves most is the creative aspect of veterinary medicine.

Away from the clinic, Dr. Paula Rode devotes time to fitness. Dr. Rode enjoys volunteering for Vetscursions, a nonprofit who hold spay and neuter clinics around the world to communities in need. She also enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family, especially her grandchildren, and friends.

Dr. Cindy Rushbrook
Dr. Cindy Rushbrook, DVM — Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Cindy Rushbrook earned her degree from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2013, she joined the Chelsea Animal Hospital family. Dr. Rushbrook finds fulfillment in caring for animals and protecting their health by reinforcing the human-animal bond between pets and their owners.

In her free time, Dr. Cindy Rushbrook enjoys dressage riding, reading, taking photos, and traveling with her family. She shares her home with two wonderful Golden Retrievers named Shay and Hamley. In addition, Dr. Rushbrook owns one horse, Mouse.

Dr. Christie Donahue
Dr. Christine Machnik. DVM — Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Christie Machnik has a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. In 2022, Dr. Donahue earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Michigan State and became certified in Veterinary Medical acupuncture. She joined Chelsea Animal Hospital in 2005. What Dr. Machnik enjoys most about working at Chelsea Animal Hospital is serving geriatric patients to help their owners give them the best quality of life for as long as possible. On the whole, Dr. Christie Machnik appreciates the opportunity to work with each pet and family to identify and meet their unique needs.

Away from work, Dr. Christie Machnik sets aside time to go to the gym, walk her dog, Shep, and explore new places. She recently married the love of her life and they are looking forward to starting a family.

Dr. Linda Sell
Dr. Linda Sell, DVM — Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Linda Sell is a 1982 graduate of Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2022, Dr. Sell came onboard Chelsea Animal Hospital. She is proud of the broad knowledge and skills they can provide for various situations that arise. What Dr. Linda Sell enjoys most about working in veterinary medicine is coordinating a pet’s health needs with its owners to provide the best care possible.

In her spare time, Dr. Linda Sell finds joy in training animals to help enrich their lives and her own. She also enjoys camping, doing crafts, bird and wildlife watching, reading, and sewing. Dr. Linda Sell has owned numerous breeds and types of dogs and cats throughout the years. As a member of the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club, they have participated in obedience, tracking, agility, herding, trick training, and flyball.

Dr. Crowder
Dr. Amber Crowder — Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Amber Crowder earned her degree from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2025. Dr.Crowder joined the Chelsea Animal Hospital a few months after graduating. It had not been the first time she was a part of the team though, as she was a Veterinary Assistant during her undergraduate studies several years prior. Dr. Crowder enjoys performing surgical procedures as well as working closely with clients to help each patient live out their best life. Additionally, she loves the environment at Chelsea Animal Hospital and how closely the staff and other doctors work together to put the patients and clients first.

In her free time, Dr. Crowder enjoys going antiquing, word burning, and time outdoors. She also values time with family and friends. Last but not least, Dr. Crowder loves hanging out with her pack of rescue fur babies including three dogs – Macintosh, Hercules, and Dobby and two cats – Zelda and Meeko.

Alicia Fath
Alicia Fath — Practice Manager
Alicia Fath earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in 2018. Alicia has worked her way up from cleaning the hospital to practice manager over the 16 years that she has worked at Chelsea Animal Hospital. Alicia loves to help people and animals.

In her free time, Alica Fath enjoys spending time with her wonderful yellow Labrador, Eloise. She loves to read and travel. She also is very devoted to friends and family, especially her niece and nephews.

Andrea Fletcher
Andrea Fletcher — Licensed Veterinary Technician
Andrea Fletcher received her license in 2021 from Bakker College. She is very knowledgeable in her skills and attentive to her patients. What Andrea enjoys most about working in veterinary medicine is problem solving and using critical thinking skills.

In her spare time, Andrea loves bowling and reading. Andrea has three rambunctious Siberian Huskies; Bailey, Bandit, and TubTub. She loves spending time with her young family that includes her husband and 3 year old son.