Meet Our Talented, Compassionate Veterinary Staff
The best veterinary staff in Asheville.
Meet our East Asheville Family Vet vets and hospital staff.
CLICK TO READ BIO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TEAM.
Dr. Hawkins
Chief of Staff
Dr. Hawkins is excited to meet you and your pets! Her love of pets and all animals drew her to veterinary medicine at an early age. She has been in the veterinary field since 1998, and graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. (Go Green!)
Dr. Hawkins has a passion for caring for pets and their families. She finds it important to foster a relationship of respect, caring, and compassion with her clients and patients. She strives to practice high quality companion animal medicine, while providing you the proper education and tools to make the best decisions for your pets and your family.
In her off time, Dr. Hawkins loves to explore all that the world, and Western North Carolina in particular, have to offer! You can usually find her on a mountain trail somewhere, either on foot or her mountain bike with her husband Nate and her Border Terrier Mac. On a rainy day she loves teaching Mac new tricks! They are even working on his Expert Trick Dog Title together!
Dr. Hawkins looks forward to meeting you, and hopes you will schedule a visit soon!
Dr. Amy Bertelli
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.
Miranda
Practice Manager
I am deeply committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, compassion, and growth within our veterinary staff team. My dedication to the welfare of each team member is rooted in the belief that when we support one another, both individually and collectively, we can provide the highest standard of care to our patients! A cohesive, well-supported team is essential in promoting effective communication, trust, and continuous learning, which directly impacts the quality of care we offer. By prioritizing both the culture and well-being of our team, we ensure that our patients receive the best possible treatment, and we create an environment where every staff member can thrive, contribute, and grow! I have been part of the animal welfare community here in WNC for over 20 years and an RVT since 2009! I’m a proud graduate from AB Tech and Southern New Hampshire University. In my free time, I take care of my tiny mountain zoo, consisting of three children, two dogs, three cats, a tortoise, a ball python, a crested gecko, five fish tanks, and a donkey. (Chickens coming in Spring of 2025!)
Heather
RVT
I have been in the veterinary industry for 13 years and am a proud graduate of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College! My years regularly working as a surgery technician has enabled me to care for patients at their most vulnerable. I can assure clients, with my years of experience, that I will take care of their pet through all stages of anesthesia safely. I also pride myself as a cat whisperer. I have had cats my entire life and worked for years at a cats only practice & this experience has helped develop my deep understanding and love of felines. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my three cats, Seeley, Aidan and Teddy. You can also find me hiking with my adventure kitty Teddy, running, crafting, and enjoying all things Disney (especially Frozen)!
Nikki
Assistant
Nikki has been part of the team since 2021. She started as a Customer Service Representative and advanced to a Veterinary Assistant position. Nikki is earning her Associates Degree through Penn Foster College to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. Starting from childhood, she has always devoted her time to helping animals of a variety of species and sizes. Her goal with her career is to make a difference in the lives of pets. Nikki and her family are owned and operated by their chihuahua named Tito, and their two cats named Ryder and Oliver Fluffles. When away from the clinic, Nikki, her husband, and two kids can be found enjoying little adventures like hiking, parks, road trips, and having weekly movie nights. Born and raised in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she enjoys what the mountains of Western North Carolina have to offer.
Erin
Assistant
I have been involved in veterinary medicine on-and-off for 17 years and pride myself on helping clients understand their options in pet care, including diagnostics and treatments. In my free time, I enjoy reading books and spending time with my partner and fur-kids!
Bobbye
Client Services Representative
Bobbye’s been in the vet world for over 20 years and is known for being super caring and building great relationships with pet owners. After graduating from Blanton Business College, she brought a mix of business know-how and a love for animals to the table. Outside of work, Bobbye is all about gardening and reading—two things that help her unwind and get inspired!
Allie
Customer Service Representative
Bio coming soon!
VETERINARY PHILOSOPHY
We work hard to be Asheville’s leading animal care provider. That means outfitting our clinic with cutting-edge technology and hiring smart, caring people to bring the furry members of your family the best care possible.
Local, loving care for your dog or cat in Asheville.
At East Asheville Family Vet, you and your pet are our top priority. From same-day appointments to unhurried face time with your veterinarian, we care for the details of your pet. We thrive on wagging tails and smiling faces and treat every pet like one of our own. After all, your family is part of our family. Our clients love our convenient location, making us the best vet nearby. Find the service your pet needs; please call for pricing.
“We absolutely LOVE the staff at East Asheville Family Vet. Very nice, they take time and answer questions. Very affordable. Highly recommend!”
—GEORGINA H.
Dr. Hawkins
Chief of Staff
Dr. Hawkins is excited to meet you and your pets! Her love of pets and all animals drew her to veterinary medicine at an early age. She has been in the veterinary field since 1998, and graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. (Go Green!)
Dr. Hawkins has a passion for caring for pets and their families. She finds it important to foster a relationship of respect, caring, and compassion with her clients and patients. She strives to practice high quality companion animal medicine, while providing you the proper education and tools to make the best decisions for your pets and your family.
In her off time, Dr. Hawkins loves to explore all that the world, and Western North Carolina in particular, have to offer! You can usually find her on a mountain trail somewhere, either on foot or her mountain bike with her husband Nate and her Border Terrier Mac. On a rainy day she loves teaching Mac new tricks! They are even working on his Expert Trick Dog Title together!
Dr. Hawkins looks forward to meeting you, and hopes you will schedule a visit soon!
Julie
Practice Manager
Julie was born in Massachusetts and raised just outside Tampa, FL. She moved to the Asheville area and joined the team at East Asheville Family Vet as the Practice Manager in June of 2023. Julie started her career in Veterinary Medicine in October of 1997 and has held various positions from receptionist to Practice Manager at general practices as well as emergency veterinary practices in Florida. Julie is working towards becoming a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager and a Registered Veterinary Technician in North Carolina.
Julie shares her home with her husband Scottie and is owned by five cats (Jacoby Ellsbury, Fenway Park, Nikola Tesla, Kylo Ren, & Chandra Nalaar) and her dog Tedy Bruschi. When she is not working, she enjoys hiking, sewing, watching all things true crime, playing Magic the Gathering, cheering for the Red Sox & New England Patriots, and exploring all Western North Carolina has to offer!
Bobbye
Client Services Representative
Bobbye’s been in the vet world for over 20 years and is known for being super caring and building great relationships with pet owners. After graduating from Blanton Business College, she brought a mix of business know-how and a love for animals to the table. Outside of work, Bobbye is all about gardening and reading—two things that help her unwind and get inspired!
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 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. Amy Bertelli
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.
Miranda
Practice Manager
I am deeply committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, compassion, and growth within our veterinary staff team. My dedication to the welfare of each team member is rooted in the belief that when we support one another, both individually and collectively, we can provide the highest standard of care to our patients! A cohesive, well-supported team is essential in promoting effective communication, trust, and continuous learning, which directly impacts the quality of care we offer. By prioritizing both the culture and well-being of our team, we ensure that our patients receive the best possible treatment, and we create an environment where every staff member can thrive, contribute, and grow! I have been part of the animal welfare community here in WNC for over 20 years and an RVT since 2009! I’m a proud graduate from AB Tech and Southern New Hampshire University. In my free time, I take care of my tiny mountain zoo, consisting of three children, two dogs, three cats, a tortoise, a ball python, a crested gecko, five fish tanks, and a donkey. (Chickens coming in Spring of 2025!)
Allie
Customer Service Representative
Bio coming soon!
Heather
RVT
I have been in the veterinary industry for 13 years and am a proud graduate of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College! My years regularly working as a surgery technician has enabled me to care for patients at their most vulnerable. I can assure clients, with my years of experience, that I will take care of their pet through all stages of anesthesia safely. I also pride myself as a cat whisperer. I have had cats my entire life and worked for years at a cats only practice & this experience has helped develop my deep understanding and love of felines. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my three cats, Seeley, Aidan and Teddy. You can also find me hiking with my adventure kitty Teddy, running, crafting, and enjoying all things Disney (especially Frozen)!
Bobby
Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Shannon
Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Erin
Assistant
I have been involved in veterinary medicine on-and-off for 17 years and pride myself on helping clients understand their options in pet care, including diagnostics and treatments. In my free time, I enjoy reading books and spending time with my partner and fur-kids!
Petra
Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Nikki
Assistant
Nikki has been part of the team since 2021. She started as a Customer Service Representative and advanced to a Veterinary Assistant position. Nikki is earning her Associates Degree through Penn Foster College to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. Starting from childhood, she has always devoted her time to helping animals of a variety of species and sizes. Her goal with her career is to make a difference in the lives of pets. Nikki and her family are owned and operated by their chihuahua named Tito, and their two cats named Ryder and Oliver Fluffles. When away from the clinic, Nikki, her husband, and two kids can be found enjoying little adventures like hiking, parks, road trips, and having weekly movie nights. Born and raised in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she enjoys what the mountains of Western North Carolina have to offer.