Meet the Staff
We are pet lovers—just like you. Our staff consists of 3 fully licensed veterinarians, ready to serve you and your pets with personal care.
Tim Whalen D.V.M.
Dr. Whalen is a transplant to Michigan, born and raised in and around Toledo, Ohio. He attended Olivet College and graduated in 1984 with a double major in Biology and Biochemistry. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State University in 1988. After two years of practice in South Bend, Indiana, he arrived in Grand Rapids in 1990. Married to Lisa Whalen since 1987, together they founded the Cottonwood Veterinary Center in 1999. They have a daughter, Adair, who is a recent graduate of the Honors College at Michigan State University. They share their home with Claudia, a royal cat and Lyric, a remarkably talented singing canary. Dr. Whalen has favorite interest in the medical care of exotic pets as well as in orthopedic surgery. His non-medical activities include backpacking, fishing and birding.
Clare Cinzori D.V.M
Dr. Clare Cinzori received her BS in Animal Science from Michigan State University in 1991 and graduated with honors from MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. She first worked with Dr. Whalen at the Animal Medical Center of Wyoming and joined the staff of Cottonwood Veterinary Center in 2001. She is married to Aaron, a Hope college mathematics professor, and has two children, Isaac and Gwendolyn. They share their home with Dakota, a greyhound; Izzy and Henry, their cats; and three little hermit crabs. Dr. Cinzori also owns a horse, a thoroughbred mare named Lily. Dr. Cinzori has strong interests in internal medicine, preventative health care, general practice and greyhounds and their special veterinary needs. In her free time, she likes to scrapbook, read, bake and spend time with her horse. She has recently discovered yoga.
Carrie Begin D.V.M
Dr. Carrie Begin graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Michigan in 1993. She went on to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with high honors from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. She has been a veterinarian at Cottonwood Veterinary Center since the fall of 2000 where she loves interacting with both clients and their pets. She is married to Michael, a civil engineer, and has two children, Madeline and Gabriel. They share their home with a shih tzu named Templer, a cat named Ellie, and two rabbits named Lila and Daisy. Dr. Begin’s professional interests include internal medicine, general preventative medicine, “pocket pets”, dermatology, and the human-animal bond. In her free time, Dr. Begin enjoys reading, swimming, dirtbiking and skiing with her family.
Welcoming committee – Receptionist Staff
This group of people is the true face and voice of the practice. Always willing to greet you on the phone or when you walk in the door, we pride ourselves on having a friendly, approachable and knowledgeable front desk staff. Julie, better known as Jae, is our veteran who has been working with Dr. Whalen for over 15 years. Amanda came to us in 2005 and Lindsey followed in 2007. Both continue to bring their youthful energy on a full time basis. Michelle has recently joined the team and is already a valuable addition.
Technical Staff
Our technical staff has the important role of being the doctor’s right hand. With over 60 years of veterinary experience between them, they are able to perform many tasks involved with the treatment of your pet. Whether it is by taking x-rays, drawing blood, monitoring anesthesia or helping out during your pet’s exam you can bet our technical staff will have a big part in your pet’s medical experience.