Meet Our Carolina Family Vet Team
Asheville’s Most Knowledgeable Vet Staff
Meet our Carolina vets and hospital staff.
Click each photo to learn more about our team.
Veterinary Philosophy
We strive to be Asheville’s #1 animal care provider. That means outfitting our veterinary hospital with cutting-edge technology and hiring smart, caring professionals to provide the furry members of your family the best care possible. Carolina Family Vet has an impressive reputation in the community with over 40 years of animal care.
Local, professional care for your dog or cat in Asheville.
You and your companion are our top priority. From same-day & drop-off appointments to unhurried face time with your veterinarian, we care for the details just as we care for 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 talented Dr. Miller will make your pet feel right at home while operating.
“Great animal hospital! My family has been coming for several years and would never go anywhere else.”
—Loraine N.
Lacey
Veterinary Assistant
Meet Lacey, a dedicated Veterinary Assistant at Carolina Family Vet with four years of experience in the veterinary industry. Lacey is passionate about providing loving and expert care to our sweet patients. At home, she’s the proud dog mom to Paisley, a lovable Lab/Pit/St. Bernard mix. When she’s not at the clinic, Lacey enjoys hitting the gym and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Emma
Veterinary Assistant
Meet Emma, a vibrant Veterinary Assistant at Carolina Family Vet! A proud graduate of Mars Hill University, Emma has been with the clinic for two years, building strong bonds with both pets and their owners. She’s the loving mom of a border collie named Piper, two playful goats named Waylon and Wendy, a charming miniature donkey named Chief, a spirited pony named Stormy, and a flock of cheerful chickens. When she’s not at work, Emma enjoys attending church, sewing, baking, and spending quality time with her delightful menagerie.
Jenn
Veterinary Assistant
Jenn is a dedicated Veterinary Assistant at Carolina Family Vet, where she thrives on providing compassionate care to her patients. A proud graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Jenn brings both expertise and empathy to her role. At home, she cares for an English Setter named Hope, three cats—Maddie, Rex, and Roo—and a turtle named Gil. When she’s not at work, you’ll find Jenn hiking, reading, lounging in a hammock or enjoying the great outdoors.
John
Customer Service Representative
Bio coming soon!
Kaela
Veterinary/Surgery Assistant & Social Media Champion
Bio coming soon!
Amanda
Practice Manager
Amanda has a clinical background, starting as a kennel assistant and working up to a registered technologist in a lead role. Her passions in medicine are anesthesia, dentistry, pain management, low-stress handling, and the human-animal bond. Amanda received her Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medical Technology in 2016, from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She will receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Western Governor’s University in February 2023.
Amanda originally planned to work either in academia or museum curating – until she took a job as a kennel assistant in 2010. During this time, Amanda realized that she genuinely enjoyed waking up and going to work every morning. Once this realization hit, it changed the trajectory of her life! Outside of the office, Amanda enjoys rollerskating (and refereeing for Blue Ridge Roller Derby), competitive video gaming, lifting weights, running, and playing catch with her dog at the park. Amanda enjoys cruising the local breweries, spending time in the River Arts District, and visiting the Arboretum as well.
Dr. Jackie Paritte
Veterinarian
Bio coming soon
Dr. Matt Miller
Chief of Staff
Dr. Miller was born and raised in New Orleans, where at a young age his family veterinarian first encouraged his interest in caring for animals. As a teenager, he participated in the Audubon Zoo’s Jr. Keeper program, where he developed a love for educating the public about animals ranging from elephants to insects. His family has lived in Western North Carolina since 2006.
Dr. Miller graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Biology, and earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University in 2015. Having completed a small animal rotating internship at the Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of Knoxville, he continued working for 2 years in emergency medicine in their Chattanooga location. He moved back to Western North Carolina in 2018 to work in General Practice. Dr. Miller recently completed certification in Veterinary Acupuncture through the Chi Institute.
Dr. Miller’s veterinary interests include pain management, internal medicine, and diagnostic imaging. He lives in Asheville with his cat, Fuzz, and dog, Roxy. In his free time he enjoys spending time outdoors with Roxy, gardening, archery, and reading.
Patty Peterson, CVT
Practice Manager
Patty has always had a strong drive to care for animals since she was a little girl hanging out on a friend’s farm. She has always had dogs and or cats in her household and cannot really remember a time without them. Patty is a Certified Vet Tech with an AS Veterinary Technology degree.
Since you can never have enough pets around, Patty has been breeding golden retrievers over the past decade. Patty’s goal is to breed a better golden with fewer health issues. When Patty is not in the office, she enjoys camping, fishing, and playing ball with the “the girls” aka the goldens! Patty has been in the field since the late 80s and hopes to continue for many more years.
Karen R.
Veterinary Assistant
Karen was born and raised in Western NC. She volunteered at this location prior to Dr. Pierson’s arrival. Karen has worked here 27 years making a grand total of 32 years in the Vet industry! She enjoys anything to do with crafting, but especially sewing, quilting, and upholstery.
Karen loves baking, canning in the fall, and creating her own soups. She is a lifelong member of Leicester Baptist Church. She has been married for 38 years to a retired Police Officer, and has 1 daughter who is expecting her first grandchild.
Josh K.
Veterinary Assistant
Animals have always played a large part in Josh’s life, and there are so many things we can learn from them – from radical love, to empathy, and mindfulness. Josh desired a job that he was fully passionate about, and that would allow him to push himself every day to do the best he could be. Josh aims to help provide the best client education and resources possible to owners, to aid them in making educated decisions for their pets’ well-being. Josh enjoys live music, thrifting, camping, and hiking in his free time. He is also the proud parent of a 6-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix named Squirrel (who sometimes you can meet at the front desk!)
Ruth C.
Client Service Representative
Chrystal M.
Practice Manager, RVT
Meet Chrystal, our dedicated Registered Veterinary Technician and Practice Manager at Carolina Family Vet. With a deep passion for feline friends, especially those with a bit of spunk, Chrystal brings her Fear-Free Certification to ensure every pet feels safe and cared for. Her mission is to enhance the lives of animals and fortify the bond they share with their owners.
Outside the practice, Chrystal’s creativity shines through her love of crocheting and storytelling in epic Dungeons & Dragons adventures. A voracious reader, she also treasures quiet moments with a good book. When she’s not crafting or delving into fantastical realms, you might find her floating down the river, soaking up nature’s beauty with friends. Chrystal’s diverse interests and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable part of our team, always ready to provide exceptional care for your beloved pets.