Pawsitive vibes for your pet
East Asheville’s brand new state-of-the-art veterinary practice.
Welcome to our state-of-the-art animal hospital nestled in the heart of East Asheville, where compassionate care meets cutting-edge technology. Our brand-new facility caters to the diverse needs of our unique community of pet lovers. Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to providing top-notch care for your furry companions. From our advanced diagnostic equipment to our comfortable and pet-friendly spaces, we strive to create an environment where pets and their owners feel at ease.
Book your pet’s next appointment with us and discover why we are not just an animal hospital but a place where your pets become a part of our family.
See what’s what at East Asheville Family Vet.
Dr. Melissa Hawkins
Chief of Staff
Dr. Melissa Hawkins is a 2005 Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. Her love of animals was apparent as a child when she started training dogs with 4H. Her interest grew, and after going with her father to visit the vet with one of their injured dogs, she knew she wanted to be a veterinarian.
In 1998, she began volunteering at a veterinary hospital close to home in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She completed her prerequisite studies at MSU in 3 years and started veterinary school immediately.
Since graduation, her career has taken her to practice in Pennsylvania, Texas, Indiana, and now Asheville, North Carolina. She has experience in both small animal general and emergency medicine. She loves being a veterinarian and enjoys fostering the bond between pets and their people.
When she’s not at work, you can usually find Dr. Hawkins enjoying the Blue Ridge Mountains on foot or by mountain bike with her husband, Nate, and their border terrier, Mac. The 3 of them are supervised at home by their two cats, Spooky and Stitch.
Dr. Melissa Hawkins
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Bertelli has always wanted to be a veterinarian. She has a love of medicine and has always wanted to help others. After graduating with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, she pursued a one-year internship and began practicing veterinary medicine.
Dr. Bertelli had been looking for a place with a cooler climate and great outdoor activities. Asheville perfectly met her criteria! She packed up and moved to the area and has been loving it since!
Dr. Bertelli’s passions include geriatric medicine, internal medicine, preventative medicine, strengthening the human-animal bond, and client education. You can count on Dr. Bertelli to take her time with you and your pet. Her priority is ensuring you understand a diagnosis/treatment and have the tools to make educated decisions. Dr. Bertelli makes an effort with every single patient to address fear and help them feel comfortable during the visit to the hospital. Dr. Bertelli will always advocate for your pet and help you to give your pet a great quality of life.
Nikki
Client Service Representative & Social Media Coordinator
From childhood, she has always devoted her spare time to helping animals of many species and sizes. She takes pride in being the voice for the unspeakable. She is currently enrolled in Penn Foster College, working on completing her Associate’s Degree to become a Veterinary Technician, which is her dream. Her decision to enter the veterinary field had always been part of her bloodline. She grew up yearning to make a difference in an animal’s life. When she is away from the clinic, she can spend time with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and a cat. Spontaneous road trips, games, or movie nights are some of the highlights of family time. She enjoys their little adventures in the Blue Ridge mountains, like the Linville Caverns, hiking to waterfalls of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Nantahala National Forest in Bryson City.
Whitney
Assistant
Animals hold a big place in her heart. She has always devoted her spare time to helping animals of many species and sizes. She takes pride in being the voice for the unspeakable. Her decision to enter the veterinary field had always been part of her bloodline. She has always wanted to make a difference in an animal’s life and become a Veterinary Tech.
She can spend time outdoors or camping with her family and my five dogs when she is away from the clinic. She also owns a cleaning company.