Hospital Managers
Shari
Practice Manager
Before moving to the position of Practice Manager in July 2006, Shari began work for Sequoyah Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Assistant. In addition to handling human resources, payroll, and training of our support staff, she is also tasked with operating the Sequoyah K9 Academy located next door.
Shari has developed a love of training, especially her own German Shepherds, which she has competed within multiple venues – obedience, protection and tracking. She has kept busy in this regard, titling several dogs under Service Dogs of America, IPO and AKC
Sarah
Office Manager
Managing Sequoyah Animal Hospital’s bustling office takes someone with an eagerness to regularly learn new things and an ability to assist in different areas of the clinic. Since June 2008, Sarah has done just that. In addition to overseeing our receptionists, maintaining inventory, placing orders, and working on various projects, Sarah even fills in at our sister facility, Sequoyah’s Muddy Buddies Dog Wash, when needed.
“After seven years of working here, the staff has become more like family,” she says. “We spend long hours together and we have a willingness to work as a team. Also, our clients are very loyal and it has been great to form relationships with them and their pets.”
When she’s not at work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, kayaking, and being outdoors. The couple has six dogs and a seven-year-old cat named Callie. The canine bunch includes two Basset Hounds, Clyde and Sissy; two Australian Shepherds/mixes, Stump and Haven; a Lab mix named Sped; and a German Shorthaired Pointer mix named Poncho.
Rhonda
Inventory Manager/Doctor Assistant
Rhonda has been a dedicated member of our hospital team since 2008, bringing her passion for animal care and exceptional work ethic to every role she’s taken on. Starting in the kennel, Rhonda quickly proved her skill and commitment, advancing to veterinary assistant and then to surgery technician. Today, she shines as our inventory manager and personal assistant to our doctors, ensuring seamless operations and top-notch support for our veterinary team.
Raised on a farm, Rhonda’s love for animals began early, caring for a wide range of creatures- from baby pigs to chickens, turkeys, cows, horses, and the everyday dogs and cats. Her deep-rooted experience with animals has shaped her into the skilled and compassionate professional she is today.
Outside of work, Rhonda loves reading and hanging out and has embraced a new passion as a bee hobbyist, further showcasing her dedication to nurturing and caring for all creatures, big and small.
Receptionists
Samantha
Receptionist
Samantha began work at Sequoyah Animal Hospital in December 2021. Previously a stay at home mom, she was looking to get back into the workforce and was excited for the opportunity Sequoyah had to offer for her to give back to the community she lives in. A quick learner, she makes delegating tasks and responsibilities to seamless.
When not at work, most of her time is occupied by her toddler and spending time with her family! She has one dog, Luna, and 2 cats, Forrest and Violet, that she adores.
Alicia
Receptionist
Alicia got her start in the pet care profession as a receptionist and bather at our sister facility, Sequoyah’s Muddy Buddies Dog Wash. She then transferred to our clinic as a receptionist in June 2014.
“I like working at Sequoyah because everyone works as a team,” she says. “It is a team I want to be on and I am proud to be on it. We all pull together to care for each patient and take care of all the daily needs of the clinic efficiently.”
Alicia takes pride in being able to help each client and patient in whatever ways she can. She brings her friendliness and flexibility to the workplace and is responsible for providing top-notch customer service, maintaining our appointment schedule, and checking our patients in and out.
Alicia is a pet parent to a two-year-old Boston Terrier mix named Rigby and a one-year-old cat named Boogie. She also has a toddler son, Carson, who keeps her busy while not in the office.
“Most of my free time is spent being a mother,” she says. “We enjoy being outside and spending time with family and friends.”
Alicia also enjoys drawing, doing hair and makeup for family members when they need her services, and writing to her sister who is in the Navy.
Michelle
Receptionist
Michelle is one of the friendly faces you see when you enter Sequoyah Animal Hospital, welcoming pets and their owners with a warm smile and dedication. With 13 years of experience in the veterinary field, she’s excelled as both a receptionist and veterinary assistant, bringing expertise and compassion to every interaction. Her Knack for making everyone feel at ease ensures a positive experience for all.
At home, Michelle treasures life with her husband of 39 years, James, and their daughter, Jennifer. She’s a devoted grandmother to Kaitlyn and Clifton, her “Angel” grandchildren. Sharing her home with her cat, Cornbread, and three dogs—Jovi, Dodge, and the newest addition, Chevy.
In her free time, she enjoys bass fishing and camping under the stars with family and friends, creating lasting memories in the great outdoors.
Veterinary Assistants
Alyssa
Veterinary Technician
Alyssa joined our team in June 2024 after completing a clinical surgery rotation with our practice. In May, she received her associate’s degree in veterinary technology from Chattanooga State Community College. She plans to take the VTNE in August to become a licensed Vet Tech. Some of her job responsibilities include intubating patients and prepping for surgery, monitoring surgeries and patient recovery, sterilizing equipment, and comforting owners. One of her favorite things about Sequoyah Animal Hospital is how the staff and doctors treat their patients and their owners like they are a part of the family, and how they go above and beyond for their patients no matter what the circumstances are.
At home, Alyssa has two dogs, Spike and Ivy, two cats, Kitty and Cheese, and a horse named Bella. She is a member of the Upper Cumberland Walking Horse Association and helps her uncle breed Tennessee Walking Horses. In her free time, she likes to ride horses, crochet, hike, and garden. She is growing her own fruits and vegetables in her home garden now and recently started selling her crocheted items in a store. Alyssa spends most of her free time with her toddler, Nova.
Alyssa
Veterinary Assistant
Alyssa joined our team in the summer of 2024 as a receptionist and has since transitioned into the role of Veterinary Assistant. She thrives in the fast-paced environment and loves learning something new every day while working alongside an amazing team.
At home, Alyssa shares her life with two beloved pets: a Sequoyah Shepherd named Rage, her “best boy” with charmingly quirky ears, and a tripod cat named Trip, whom she adopted after he was brought to the clinic as an injured stray and required a front leg amputation.
Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys hiking, kayaking, and any adventure that includes Rage. She’s also passionate about experimenting in the kitchen, trying new recipes—even if the results are less than ideal. Practice makes perfect! In her free time, she loves hanging out with friends and making the most of every moment.
Shea
Surgery & Veterinary Assistant
Shea has been a valued member of the Sequoyah Animal Hospital team since 2017, bringing dedication, warmth, and a passion for animal care to everything she does. As a skilled surgery and veterinary assistant, she plays an essential role in ensuring the health and comfort of every patient who comes through the doors.
Residing in Dunlap, Tennessee, Shea leads a vibrant life outside the clinic. She shares her home and heart with her loving husband, two children, two grandchildren, two dogs, and a cat. Her personal life is filled with joy, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the little moments—especially those spent with family at her favorite place on Earth: Disney.
Known for her bright spirit and infectious sense of humor, Shea is driven by a genuine love for helping others and creating a positive atmosphere wherever she goes. Over the past eight years, she has found her true calling in veterinary medicine, continually inspired by the opportunity to learn something new each day and to provide compassionate, quality care to animals in need.
Whether she’s assisting in surgery, comforting a nervous pet, or sharing a smile with a client, Shea’s commitment and kindness shine through in every interaction.
Kaylee
Veterinary Assistant/ Surgery
Kaylee began her journey at Sequoyah Animal Hospital as a veterinary receptionist, where she spent her days greeting clients, answering phones, and keeping patient records organized. While she enjoyed all aspects of the role, her favorite part was always getting to interact with the adorable patients—especially the cats, being a self-proclaimed cat person!
More recently, Kaylee transitioned into the role of veterinary assistant. She now spends her time working in exam rooms, educating clients, and assisting during surgeries. Her passion for animals shines through in everything she does, and she’s always ready to lend a helping hand wherever it’s needed.
At home, Kaylee shares her life with a lively and lovable crew, including several cats, three spoiled dogs—Booger, Buford, and Oklahoma (aka Okie)—and a trio of geckos (two leopard, one crested). In her free time, you can find her enjoying life with her fiancé, rewatching Grey’s Anatomy, baking, cooking, and doting on her fur—and less-than-furry—babies.
Abby
Veterinary Assistant
Abby joined Sequoyah Animal Hospital in 2023 as a Veterinary Receptionist, where she quickly became a friendly and reliable face for both clients and their pets. From checking in patients and scheduling appointments to filling medications and answering phones, Abby handled every task with organization, attention to detail, and a calm presence—especially in the clinic’s fast-paced environment.
Abby’s passion for animals and eagerness to learn helped her transition into a Veterinary Assistant role, where she now assists in exam rooms, collects lab samples, and continues to support both patients and clients with compassion and care. She thrives on the energetic pace at Sequoyah and values the daily opportunities to grow her skills alongside a team she loves.
Outside of work, Abby shares her life with four beloved pets: two dogs—Goose, a German Shorthaired Pointer, and RJ, a spunky Frenchton—as well as two cats—Nova, a curious Tuxedo, and Aurora, a fluffy Maine Coon. She and her boyfriend love taking Goose hunting whenever they get the chance, and in her free time, Abby enjoys boating, fishing, relaxing, and spending time in the woods camping and hunting with family and friends.
Carissa
Veterinary Assistant
Carissa joined the Sequoyah Animal Hospital team in August 2024, bringing her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to veterinary care. As a vital part of our front desk team, Carissa warmly greets clients, manages phone calls, schedules appointments, and jumps in to assist wherever needed. Her exceptional multitasking skills and proactive attitude make her an invaluable asset, always ready to lend a hand to colleagues and clients alike. Carissa is currently transitioning over to vet assistant.
Carissa’s passion for veterinary medicine shines through in her work. Having dreamed of a career in this field, she approaches each day with excitement and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners. Her love for animals extends to her own furry family, which includes three dogs– Nova, a spirited five-year-old Border Collie mix; Sully, a charming four-year-old Boston Terrier; and Finn, an adventurous five-year-old Husky mix— as well as a two-year-old cat named Wybie, who keeps everyone in line.
Outside the clinic, Carissa enjoys unwinding with a good book, expressing herself through journaling, and spending quality time training her dogs to master new tricks. Her creativity and dedication to animals make her a perfect fit for our team, and we’re thrilled to have her at Sequoyah Animal Hospital.
Kennel Techs
Ava
Kennel Attendant
In May 2023, Ava joined our team as a kennel attendant. Her favorite part of her job is taking the dogs on walks and getting to know them better, making their stay feel at home. Ava is currently enrolled in high school and spends her afternoons at the clinic. She loves learning new things and is excited to help when needed.
Ava has 4 dogs, Waffles, Millie, Maggie, and Luna, and 1 cat named Izzy. She loves to spend her free time walking her dogs, reading, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.
Kayla
Kennel Attendant
In September 2024, Kayla joined our team as a kennel attendant. Prior to joining our team, she was an animal care assistant at her high school, allowing her to help care for a variety of animals. She was eager to join our team to allow her to continue to gain experience, and she has been an excellent addition. As a kennel attendant, her primary duties include caring for boarding patients, ensuring their happiness while away from home, and maintaining the cleanliness of the indoor and outdoor facilities.
Outside of work, Kayla enjoys baking, gardening, and raising chickens. At home, she has 3 dogs of her own – 2 cocker spaniels and a chihuahua, and 30 chickens!
Elizabeth
Kennel Attendant
During the summer of 2024, Elizabeth joined our team as a kennel attendant. She is always smiling and doing any task she is given to the best of her ability while she is at work. Her duties consist of feeding and caring for cats and dogs while boarding, giving medications, maintaining clean kennels for our boarding clients, and keeping the outside areas clean during pet rotations. The high standards for cleanliness and patient care are just a couple of things that make her proud to be part of the SQAH team.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, baking, art, jewelry making, and hairstyling. She can also be found spending some free time with her chocolate lab, Charlie!
Taylar
Kennel Attendant
Taylar joined Sequoyah Animal Hospital as a kennel attendant in June 2018. At the clinic, she is most often found taking care of the boarding animals and maintaining the cleanliness of the indoor kennels and outdoor runs. She enjoys getting to know all of our boarding friends and learning about their different personalities.
When not at work, she is a busy mom to her human and furry children! At home, she has 2 dogs, Luna and Lucky, and 3 cats: Tiny, Blue, and Queenie.
Kristy
Kennel Attendant
Kristy became part of the Sequoyah Animal Hospital family in January 2025, as a kennel attendant. From the very beginning, working with animals has always felt like home to her.
At home, Kristy is outnumbered by her four furry companions—three cats and one dog—who are very much in charge and just a little jealous of how much time she spends caring for other animals. Even so, she wouldn’t trade her job for anything. For Kristy, being part of the Sequoyah team is more than just work—it’s the most fulfilling adventure she could ask for.