DR. WAYNE HUNTHAUSEN
Dr. Hunthausen established Westwood Animal Hospital in 1985. In addition to his medical and surgical responsibilities at the hospital, he is the director of Animal Behavior Consultations which provides behavior consultations and training services for pet owners. He frequently lectures and writes on the topic of companion animal behavior. In his spare time, he is an avid photographer and enjoys writing, pool, cycling, movies and traveling with his wife, interior designer Jan Kyle, as well as hiking with their dog, Pudge. See Dr. Hunthausen’s full bio and CV.
Dr. Mary Beth Claypool is the Medical Director at Westwood Animal Hospital. She grew up on a farm in southwest Missouri, and for as long as she can remember wanted to be a veterinarian. Dr. Claypool treasures the relationships she has developed with pets and their families over her 20 plus years in practice. Dr. Claypool is a graduate of Cornell University and particularly enjoys helping pets with skin disease, lameness, and geriatric medical problems. She also has a special interest in ultrasonography. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Claypool enjoys spending time with her family. Her husband is an educator in the Shawnee Mission School District. Outside of work they can be found attending the activities of their two children. Dr. Claypool spends what’s left of her free time outdoors, baking, and playing the piano. The Claypool family also includes a dog named Mabel and two cats, Prairie and Puma.
Mary Kline has been working side-by-side with Dr. Hunthausen since 1994. She graduated from the Maple Woods Veterinary Technician Program, and has been helping care for companion animals ever since. Mary is certified as a Professional Dog Trainer and as an Evaluator for the Canine Good Citizen certification program. She teaches basic, advanced, and Canine Good Citizen classes here at Westwood Animal Hospital. Mary shares her home with four dogs, two cats, and a parrot named Baby. Outside of the hospital, Mary likes to garden, recycle, and spend time with her grandchildren.EMILY
Emily is the Office Manager at Westwood
Animal Hospital. Before joining Westwood
Animal Hospital, Emily worked in adoptions
at Wayside Waifs Animal Shelter. Emily has
two cats, Roger and Large Marge. In her
free time, Emily likes being outdoors, taking
photos, and working on art.
KENDRA
Kendra Sexson started working as a kennel attendant at Westwood Animal Hospital. She currently works as a technician assistant. She holds a bachelor’s degree in science in sociology, and is currently working towards a master’s degree in management and leadership. Kendra has three dogs: Sebastian the dachshund, Autumn the Shar Pei, and Lady the Pitbull. Also, Marley the cat and Huey the bearded dragon. Her free time is filled with studying and spending time with her two sons. She loves to be outdoors, especially in the fall.
DANI
Dani came to Westwood Animal Hospital in March of 2024 after working as a veterinary assistant helping pets in need at Kansas City Pet Resource Center over the past 2 1/2 years. She is currently enrolled in the Veterinary Nursing program at Colby Community College working towards her Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Nursing.
Fun fact: Dani’s mom is a veterinary technician.
CRAIG
Craig joined Westwood Animal Hospital in November of 2018 as one of our pet care attendants, but has been working with dogs since 2011. He shares his home with his Lhasa Apso, Milo, and also a Chihuahua named Tequila, who’s a frequent guest. Craig is a theater fanatic and loves working on sets and acting. He most recently acted in a production of A Raisin In The Sun.