Jan has over fifteen years of management experience in the Veterinary Industry, both with General Practice Hospitals, as well as multi-location Specialty Referral Hospitals. Her key areas of interest focus on building exceptional client service through development of the hospital team. In her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog Peyton and traveling to visit family in California and Boston.

Lisa Matthews has a BS in Business Administration from USC and 12 years of experience prior to us in general practice. When she isn’t with us, she’s hanging out with the family – usually traveling, camping, reading, playing board games or baking. She resides in Forest Acres with her husband, five year old daughter, Lula the pug and Bunny the mixed breed.

 

Annika Ramcke has a BS in Agriculture from Murray University and is a licensed veterinary technician. She has seven years of experience in Emergency, Internal Medicine and Surgery. German-born, she grew up in Kentucky and found a love for cooking, hiking and the Kentucky Wildcats. She spends her time with her nine year old dog named Dom.

Hillary Smith graduated in 2009 from Trident Technical College getting her license in veterinary technology, and also has an associates degree in pre-nursing. She has over eight years experience in the veterinary field specializing in emergency medicine. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, hiking, fishing and hunting down fossils and artifacts. Her happy geriatric dog keeps her busy as well.

Ellen joined our team in 2019, with a wealth of veterinary experience. Recently, she moved to South Carolina all the way from Vermont. She worked 8+ years at a cats only clinic. She also joined the human medicine world but decided that veterinary medicine is where her heart lies! Ellen has a master’s degree in Creative Writing. She enjoys knitting, crocheting, and gardening. Her household consists of three humans, three dogs, and five cats.

 

Raan Dowdy has over 15 years in veterinary client services, even working coast to coast. In her spare time, she’s collecting ink pens and Magic the Gathering cards or she’s chasing after her daughter Rose, the “three year old dictator.” She also shares her love with her spouse Zach and her two cats Mars and Jeebus.

Amanda has been in Veterinary Medicine since she was 13 years old. An army brat, she has moved all over the county originating from Omaha, Nebraska. She has worked with the ASPCA in adoptions/shelter medicine in Phoenix, then moved to working as a technician in the ER with VCA, also in Phoenix. She has also done private practice work, and was a Practice Manager before coming to CVETS. Her professional passions include client service and quality medicine. She has two fur kids-  Bruce Wayne, a Newfoundland mix and Alfred, an exotic shorthair. She loves anything Gordon Ramsey, Disney, music, and visiting her niece Greenly whenever she can.

Suzy has an associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology. She was a surgical assistant in human medicine in Indiana until she moved to Lake Norman and joined the Veterinary Medicine world as a nurse in 2008. She and her husband moved to South Carolina in the summer of 2019 and joined us here at CVETS! She was raised on a small dairy farm in Indiana, which brought all types of interesting animals into her life. She and her husband enjoy competing in AKC Conformation shows and hunting events with their own dogs. They also train obedience and gun dog training for other people’s pets. They enjoy being outdoors, traveling and of course – their pets!

Hannah graduated from Gaston College with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology in 2013. She has six years of emergency and trauma experience, as well as one year of experience working with a Board Certified Surgeon. She is very passionate about patient care and working in the ER department. A Rock Hill native originally, Hannah and her boyfriend moved to Camden, SC in the spring of 2019 for his job and have enjoyed seeing and exploring what this part of the state has to offer, including Columbia! Her hobbies include traveling to different places across the country and exploring new hiking areas with her dog, Charlie, an 8 year old yellow lab.

 

Stephanie DiFranco started in veterinary medicine in 2010 and volunteers with Veteran K9 Solutions as a service dog trainer. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters Caylin and Jordan and her frenchie puppy Kevin Dade. She’s passionate about ocean conservatory and everything Disney.

Emily Durocher graduated in May of 2018 with a BS in Biology and a minor in Music from Columbia College. She has two years experience in the field, including volunteering in Nicaragua. She loves the cello, outdoor activities with scout groups and playing Dungeons and Dragons with Jerilyn. She has Bill the corn snake, Oreo the rabbit and Iggy the russian tortoise. She will be attended UGA Vet School Fall 2019!

 

Keysia “Keys” Franklin has a BS in Biology and became a licensed veterinary technician in 2015. Prior to CVETS, she had five years of experience in general practice. Native to New Jersey, she came to the south in 2005. She is a major foodie and loves traveling. She has two dogs, Mamacita and Holly.

Kerri Watkins joined our team and the Oncology service in 2019. She has four years’ experience in veterinary medicine. Currently, she is studying Psychology and University of South Carolina. She enjoys reading, being outside in nature, hiking, hanging out with her parents and boyfriend of six years. She has two dogs, a pit bull and a border collie/aussie mix!

Lauren has five years of experience in the Veterinary field. She graduated from the Veterinary Technician program at Piedmont Technical College in July of 2019. She enjoys riding horses and going camping. She is married with one horse (Mr. Jones), three dogs (Bentley, Chevy, and Footloose) and one cat (Bayla).

Denise Hardin is a graduate from Palo Alto College Veterinary Technician Program. She has been in the veterinary field for over 24 years. Denise came to CVETS in 2019. She has two dogs and three cats. She enjoys reading, hiking and kayaking.

Lindsay has been with CVETS since day one! An integral part of our team, she has thirteen years experience in the veterinary field. She began as a CSR and worked her way to the fabulous Radiology Nurse she is today. She enjoys any outdoor activity, especially hunting and fishing. When she isn’t managing all things Radiology (or Dr. Rivas), she’s spending time with her boyfriend Tony, two dogs Tracker and Sugar, and cat Bobbi Jo.

Erin Moorhead has a BS from Clemson University and an AAS in Veterinary Technology from Trident Technical College. She has been licensed and working in specialty surgery and anesthesia with Dr. Mike since 2014. She enjoys reading, traveling and working out. She is an intense foodie, favoring Charleston’s cuisine. She has a rescue cat named Smarty and a step-dog named Buster.

Liakae means “Direction in Life,” which is perfect for her considering she knew hers at 16 when she got her start in veterinary medicine. “Dee” graduated from Tri-County Technical College in 2014 with her AAS in Veterinary Technology, and received her license. She keeps things fun by dancing and singing for the patients between treatments. When she isn’t at work, she’s mountain biking or staying in with her dogs Caleb and Brownie.

Jerilyn Nelson has four years experience in the veterinary field, having started in shelter medicine. She is currently getting her AAS in Veterinary Technology to become a licensed technician. When she isn’t studying or working, she’s hiking with her cattledog Spooky, kickboxing or playing Dungeons and Dragons with Emily. She also stays busy with her family of five cats – Perry, Quattro, Bug, Willa and Vomit, and her fiance John.

Sam Peters has an Associates in Animal Sciences and became a licensed veterinary technician in Ohio in 2014. She enjoys hiking and is an amature photographer. Her family consists of her three cats Peanut Butter, Shadow and Six, her golden retriever mix Jasmin and her husband Kevin.

Lakyn Platt has been in veterinary medicine since 2014, working in general practice and transitioning to surgery. She enjoys being outdoors, participating in children’s ministries at her church and any artistic activities. She has a happy family consisting of her husband Tyler, daughter Kinslee and three dogs – Snickers, Kyah and Kaine.

Rachel got her start in Veterinary Medicine at the Catawba County Humane Society, then working in the Spay & Neuter clinic. After this, she worked at an Emergency hospital in Charlotte, NC. She moved to South Carolina in July of 2019, and lucky for us – joined our team! She enjoys live music, reading books, and hiking. She has two dogs – a husky named Ronin and a husky/lab mix named Georgia. She has a three year old son named Easton. She also has many friends – all of them work with her here at CVETS!

Audrey Scott has over four years experience in veterinary medicine, primarily in preventative care. In her time off, she enjoys a good mystery novel. She also is a proud auntie to a Pitbull and a German Shepherd.

Ashley “Ash” Thompson is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Health Administration with a focus on Epidemiology. She loves Astronomy and running, but only when it’s cold. She has an eleven year old daughter, her pittie Poseidon and her cat Morgana.

Jordon has a Bachelor’s from USC and has two years experience as a technician in an emergency setting. She loves spending time in the outdoors with her daughter Sophia and power lifting at the gym. Her three dogs Zora, Mia, and Bing her three-legged rescue, are her daughter’s best friends and often accompany them on their hikes.

Ciara Fredericks graduated Manor College with an Associates in Applied Sciences in the Veterinary Technology program in 2015. Ciara came to South Carolina from Pennsylvania in 2019. She has 5 years’ experience in the Veterinary field with a wide array of knowledge in anesthesia, surgery, and neurology. She enjoys horseback riding, crabbing, ocean fishing and shark tooth hunting. She has one horse named Scarlet, one dog named ben, and two cats named Mr. Krabs and Big Mouth.

Nikki has been in the Veterinary world for over 8 years. After spending close to 8 years in general practice, she wanted to broaden her education into a specialty like surgery. She plans to continue her education as a veterinary nurse and become licensed. Born and raised in Hopkins, SC, at age 9, she was adopted with her two biological sisters by her wonderful family. She now resides in West Columbia with her boyfriend and their three dogs – Alice, Jack, and Burton. Nikki loves snowboarding, being on the lake, and spending time with her family. Her free time is usually filled with pet sitting or enjoying time with her dogs & boyfriend!

Chloe Bair has a Bachelors in Biology with a minor in Neuroscience from USC and is a future veterinarian. She enjoys hiking, reading and spending time with her two cats, Piper and Bridget and her dog, Kermit. Chloe has cared for a variety of pets throughout her life, including a baby bird before it even had feathers.

Navarra Benton has a Bachelors in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Columbia College and is preparing to enter into vet school. Her favorite subject is parasitology and she enjoys reading and watching movies with her fiance and her dog Lilith.

Brandy Bracey has been immersed in veterinary medicine ever since she was a little girl but officially began working in the field when she was just 14 years old. Since then, she has filled many roles in the veterinary hospital. She enjoys reading, but is currently being kept busy renovating her childhood home. She has three dogs and two chickens.

Brian Perdue has a BS in Biology from USC and got his start in wellness clinics to gain experience to apply to vet school. In his spare time, he plays shuffleboard and checkers competitively. He has a three-legged kitten named Stevie “Yung Steven” Perdue.

Julia Rivers has a Bachelor’s in Biology from South Carolina State University and an M.S. in Animal Science with concentration in Nutrition from Fort Valley State University. During her research, she worked with livestock, checking for Haemonchus Contortus and Coccidia parasites, along with anemia. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, shopping and snuggling her three fur babies, Lil’ Bit, Remy and Dallas.

Paige Myers is currently in school to earn her bachelor’s in Biochemistry from USC to pave her way to becoming a veterinarian. She has over a year and a half in the field. She is an avid reader and loves spending time time with her friends. She has a happy family consisting of her husband Reece, soon – their daughter, her cat Sassy and her dog Dexter.

Alisha has been working in the veterinary field for 6 years. She attended Piedmont Technical College for Veterinary Technology. Most of her experience is with small animals, however she also has some experience with exotics, wildlife, and pocket pets. She loves to learn new things and enjoys spending her spare time with her family. She is married to her EMT husband, Josh. They have one daughter together named Abigail. They also have two dogs – Sunny and Bailey, and one cat named Bones.

Candice has 6+ years of experience as a Veterinary Assistant. She loves
animals so much, she decided to get a German Shepherd & Catahoula Mix named River, who is quite the handful! She enjoys traveling to Charleston to see her older brother & four year old nephew. On sunny days off, she enjoys going to the
river with her dog & boyfriend to relax on the rocks!

Nancy Kindle has 22 years of medicine experience and began inventory management in 1998 for a regional military hospital. After her retirement, she did client services in animal hospitals and got back into the inventory game in October 2018. She enjoys network marketing and small animal farming. Her husband is also retired military and she’s mother to three children.

In 1993, Wayne Kindle started working in a veterinary clinic here in Columbia. He then joined the Army as a medic and spent over 22 years in military medicine. Wayne has veterinary supply and critical care nursing experience.

Caroline Six has six years experience in various positions in veterinary medicine. A workaholic at heart, she quickly became our Lead CSR, then moved on to Marketing. The rare times she isn’t working, she is reading, spending time with her family or her husband, going to concerts and exploring new music. She has a son on the way due in August. She also has three dogs and three cats, all rescues.