Kristen is a dedicated veterinary assistant who joined the practice in January 2026. She has spent most of her life since high school working in veterinary medicine, beginning as an intern at her local veterinary hospital before moving into a kennel technician role and quickly advancing to veterinary assistant. With over five years of hands-on experience, Kristen came to this practice eager to continue growing her knowledge, skills, and mastery within the field.
Kristen knew veterinary medicine was her calling after witnessing a particularly impactful case during one of her internships. A dog who had been shot and required an amputation and extensive orthopedic care returned weeks later for a recheck, walking on his own, tail wagging, and visibly happy. Seeing that transformation solidified her passion for helping animals heal and thrive. Even without being hands-on in that moment, the sense of purpose and fulfillment she felt confirmed that dedicating her life to easing animals’ suffering and increasing their happiness was exactly where she belonged.
Her journey began in high school through volunteering, shadowing, and internships, followed by her first job as a kennel technician at the same hospital. After cross-training and gaining experience, Kristen moved to Rock Hill, SC, where she attended Winthrop University and held her first veterinary assistant position. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, then relocated to Charlotte, NC to establish residency with the long-term goal of attending veterinary school in North Carolina.
What Kristen enjoys most about her work is building relationships with patients, learning their personalities, quirks, and individual needs. She especially values creating a calm, trusting experience for each pet. Her favorite technical aspects of the job include microscopy and phlebotomy. Kristen enjoys the challenge and continual learning involved in reading fecal smears, ear and urine cytology's, and takes pride in collecting high-quality blood samples while keeping patients comfortable and stress-free. For her, diagnostics are not only essential tools but meaningful steps toward better patient outcomes.
Kristen grew up in Duncan, South Carolina with her parents and older sister, alongside two black toy poodles who helped spark her lifelong love of animals. She was always curious, deeply enjoyed school, and developed an early fascination with biology and understanding the world around her. Today, she lives with her partner, Isaac, their four cats (Luna, Barney, Lexter, and Jaeger) and three fish (Finn, Burkley, and Gus). Luna reigns as the queen of the house, Barney is a gentle orange old soul with a love for carrot-shaped toys, Lexter is a rescued calico full of affection, and Jaeger is a playful climber with endless energy. Their aquarium is home to angelfish Finn and Burkley, and Gus, an algae-eater who keeps everything spotless.