Our Technicians

Our technicians perform a wide variety of important tasks. They draw blood, place catheters, take x-rays, and monitor anesthetized patients among many other responsibilities. Most have gone to school and passed state and national exams to become registered technicians. Above all, they offer lots of tender loving care and attention to our patients.

Karen, Head of Veterinary Technicians
Karen has always loved - and loved caring for - animals. A native of Asheville, Karen began at Charlotte Street Animal Hospital as an assistant. Her hard work, compassion, and knowledge quickly led to Karen's promotion as "hospital-trained technician," and she now has over 8 years of experience. At home, she takes great pleasure in caring for her own babies. She currently shares her life with 11 ferrets. Karen has facilitated the rescue of many such ferrets, often opening their home to the sick and abandoned of this species. The ferrets fortunate enough to be adopted by Karen do not live in cages but rather enjoy life in their own special room complete with fluffy beds and hammocks, mazes of tubes and tunnels, and all the toys their little hearts desire! Eight beautiful felines also honor her home and provide a great deal of comic entertainment. Karen claims that working with the doctors, staff, clients, and patients of CSAH is the best thing that she has ever done. We are so glad to have her!

Jen, Registered Technician, Inventory Manager
Jen graduated from Indiana State University in 1992 with her B.S. in Business Management. After realizing that her heart was not in that field, she returned to school and received her degree in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University in 1994. She had been working as a Registered Veterinary Technician since graduating when she decided to move to Western North Carolina with her husband in 2005, which is when she joined the team at CSAH. She continues to find fulfillment working with animals and has become a member of the NCVRC (North Carolina Veterinary Response Corp). In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and animals and walking her 3 wonderful dogs, Izzy, Bud, and Kali. She also enjoys photography, boating, and ATV riding. She is affectionately known at CSAH as "Super Tech."

Dana, Registered Technician
Dana brings to our clients and patients 13 years of veterinary medical experience. She has worked as a Registered Veterinary Technician since 1998 and holds a special interest in canine and feline physical therapy, although she has cared for many species. In addition to earning her AAS degree from Central Carolina Community College and a BS degree from UNC Asheville, Dana has completed all the coursework for the University of Tennessee’s Certification in Canine Rehabilitation. Along with her work as a vet tech, Dana also served as an instructor for AB Tech’s program of Veterinary Medical Technology for over 3 years. She shares her home with 2 cats and 2 dogs with whom she enjoys hiking. Dana also busies herself reading, painting, and spending time with family and friends. She has been with Charlotte Street Animal Hospital since January 2008 and we are very happy to have such a compassionate and skilled technician on our team.

Brett
Prior to joining our team, Brett worked for 6 years in emergency and specialty practices. Having gained experience working in emergency medicine, he is very happy to return to an environment where he can form ongoing relationships with our patients and their families. Brett brings to our hospital over 15 years of animal care experience, including wildlife rehabilitation, pet sitting, and volunteering at the shelter, besides his work as a technician. He spends his free time hiking, camping, listening to music, and spending time with 2 and 4-legged friends in our beautiful region.

Crystal, Registered Technician, Client Education Coordinator
Crystal moved to Asheville from Colorado in 2003 with her husband and furry family. She joined the CSAH family in December 2006 after deciding to pursue her passionate dream of working with animals. Crystal graduated from AB Tech’s Veterinary Medical Technology program in August 2010. She thoroughly enjoys the beautiful mountains surrounding Asheville and traveling to far away places with her family and friends in her free time. She currently lives in Asheville with her husband, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 4 snakes.