Meet the Morningside Team

Registered Veterinary Technicians


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Kayla Krafczik

Kayla Krafczik grew up in Chico, lived in Oregon for seven years and moved back to the area in 2023. She has been an RVT since 2016. Kayla loves her dog, but is more of a cat person— her love for felines has led to fostering many bottle baby kittens. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading, camping, and video games.

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Daniel Miyamoto

Daniel Miyamoto has been in the veterinary field since 2013. Born and raised on the island of Hawaii, he has been passionate about caring for animals since he was a kid. In 2017, he took the opportunity and left his hometown to move to Northern California where he resides with his spouse. Outside of work, Daniel is a movie connoisseur and avid board gamer. He is also a foodie and loves to cook for his family and friends. Other skills he has learned is speaking a little Japanese which is helpful when listening to J-pop and watching Japanese animation.

Daniel believes in veterinary medicine and improving the quality and bond with owners and their little ones. He hopes to continue that belief at Morningside.

Veterinary Assistants


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Chie Downs

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.

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Tyler McDonald - RVT in Training

Tyler McDonald grew up in several parts of Northern California. She has a passion for caring for animals—their behavior and life style always fascinated her most while growing up. After high school, Tyler completed the ROP Certified Veterinary Assistant Program, and she recently graduated from the RVT Accelerated program. When not at work, Tyler’s family is her peace. She enjoys archery, fishing, camping, hikes and adventurous road trips shared with her big man Buddy, a German shepherd husky mix who loves to whistle and cuddle in front of a warm fire with his trusty sidekick, Wreck it Rina, the one eyed German shepherd.

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Lauren O’Brien

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.

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Haylee Tripp

Haylee Tripp grew up in the countryside of Oroville, CA, where she developed a deep love for animals and the outdoors. Haylee attended high school in Chico, and was an active FFA member, serving as treasurer and raising and showing lambs. After high school, she completed the Butte County CTE program and became a Certified Veterinary Assistant. Haylee has enjoyed working in Veterinary Medicine since graduating. Fishing has always been a central part of her life - she grew up tournament fishing and working as a deckhand for her family’s guide service ( basically raised/grew up in a boat.) Haylee is also passionate about animal rescue and currently cares for three cats: Toby, Shiloh, and newest member Nova. In her free time, she enjoys car shows, watching sprint car races, fishing, and exploring new places.

Receptionists


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Kayla Miles

Kayla Miles grew up in the small town of Rancho Murieta. As a child, she rode horses and competed in shows, and early on she felt a strong calling to help animals in any way she could—believing that if we don’t advocate for them, who will?Kayla has always had dogs in her life and currently shares her home with Scout and Mazie, a springer spaniel and a sprocker spaniel. Over the years, she has gained hands-on experience working with animals in a variety of settings, including a doggy daycare and boarding facility, and as a kennel assistant at a veterinary clinic. She has also volunteered at the Chico Animal Shelter, walking dogs and cleaning kennels, and at the Wildlife Care Association, where she worked with a wide range of animals—from squirrels, possums, and pigeons to a particularly friendly crow with a fondness for blueberries. In her free time, Kayla enjoys taking dogs out for pup cups and spending time with them, playing video games, and watching movies. She is currently attending Chico State, working toward her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, with plans to attend veterinary school to earn her doctoral degree and pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian.

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Cheryl Wakefield

Cheryl Wakefield was raised in Orland, California. Her love of animals was fostered at a very young age taking care of black angus cows and horses on her family farm. Cheryl currently owns a dwarf angora house bunny named Gilly and enjoys reading, riding, and rockhounding in her spare time.