Veterinary Nurse

Michelle grew up in South Carolina and graduated in 1998 from the College of Charleston. She has worked in emergency veterinary medicine in South Carolina and North Carolina since 2001. When Michelle is not at our hospital, she works as a traffic manager in Spartanburg. In her time off Michelle enjoys reading, going to the movies with friends and hiking. She has a herd of two dogs, Minnie and Yogi, and three cats, Buttercup, Caroline and Nemo.

Colleen has 17 years of experience that began in emergency medicine in 1994 after qualifying as a Certified Veterinary Technician in New Hampshire. Colleen left her native New Hampshire to find warmer weather and has been with WCRAH & VEH since our opening day. Colleen thrives in the emergency setting where anything can happen and finds great pleasure sending a pet home after it’s been in ICU for days. She now shares Pearidge Farm with two horses, two sheep, two goats, three pit bulls, one walker hound, two cats, 30 chickens, one big bad rooster and her husband, Scott.

Amanda has five years experience in the veterinary field, two with WCRAH & VEH, where, she says, she loves her coworkers. Originally from Detroit, Amanda moved from Florida to enjoy Western North Carolina’s mountain and changing seasons. Amanda has two kittens, Madona and Kudzu, who were keepers from a litter of a rescued feral cat – but not before she found homes for “Mama Cat” and all the other kittens. In her spare time, Amanda likes to read, fish and camp.

Larisa grew up in Northern New Jersey and began working in an animal hospital “the minute I turned 16.” She moved to NC in 2006, earned an associate’s degree in Veterinary Medical Technology from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in 2010, and is now a North Carolina Registered Veterinary Technician. She joined WCRAH & VEH in 2010 and says, “This is by far the job of my dreams.” Larisa helped her mom rescue and rehab abused parrots for years and now spoils 3 rescued Chihuahuas and an Amazon parrot with her husband, John. She and her husband love to scuba dive and hang out with their friends.

Tanya Hagins brings 21 years of experience to our hospital, along with a big smile and an always helpful attitude. She’s a North Carolina Registered Veterinary Technician, having graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Veterinary Technician Program. Tanya works the day shift, nurturing our patients and tending to daily appointments. She has a passion for dentistry and has pursued continuing education to develop specialized skills in this area. Off duty, Tanya and husband Tom dote on their new baby daughter, Chayse, and pets galore: four cats and two dogs.

Jessica has worked in the veterinary field since 2005 and earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2010. She’d like to work at a major zoo someday – not surprising for someone who grew up with cats, dogs, hamsters, chinchillas, lizards, fish, guinea pigs and rabbits. In her off time Jessica enjoys learning, reading, drawing, writing and outdoor adventures with her family: two-year old Ethan, fiancé Zack, and an Australian Shepherd “with a human complex” named Winnie.

Jordan joined WCRAH & VEH in 2010 and has worked in both animal care and nursing. She graduated from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s Veterinary Technology Program in December 2010 and will take state and national certification boards in July 2011 to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. Jordan enjoys working in both primary and emergency care and loves WCRAH & VEH’s “wonderful coworkers and atmosphere.”

Chris grew up in northeast Ohio in a household where all the area’s stray animals, wild or domestic, ended up for care. He graduated from the Veterinary Technology program at Columbus State Community College in 1999, and has since worked at primary care and emergency care hospitals in Columbus, Milwaukee and Asheville. Chris spends most of his spare time hiking in the mountains with his Border Collie mix, Finley. When Finley allows him free time, he enjoys live music shows, winter sports and spending time with friends.