Meet Our Veterinary Team
Meet the veterinarians and team of Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to know our team
VETERINARIANS
Dr. Brian H. Birthright
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Birthright’s love of the mountains, since childhood, brought him from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Waynesville, NC. After graduating from Auburn School of Veterinary Medicine, he wanted to open his own hospital and practice a high level of medical care including internal medicine, surgery, and emergency/critical care. When not working or spending time with his family, Dr. Birthright can be found riding his motorcycle on the scenic roads of Haywood County, on his mountain bike exploring the trails, or camping.
Dr. Rachelle McKinnon
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. McKinnon started working at Maple Tree in 2013. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Meredith College in Raleigh and graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. She is a native of Haywood County and is excited to be able to practice in her hometown of Waynesville. Outside of veterinary medicine, she and her husband Fred enjoy time with their 3 children- Caden, Annaleigh, and Tenleigh, and traveling (especially to NYC). Dr. McKinnon also loves flower gardening and caring for her pet ducks. In addition to her ducks, she has two cats, Emmett and Lyla, a goldendoodle named Fenway, and a bernedoodle named Matilda. Mr. McKinnon is very passionate about dentistry and ultrasonography.
Dr. Katie Justice
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Justice joined our team in September of 2020. Dr. Justice grew up in Springfield, SC on a ranch with cows, horses, sheep, and lots of dogs. She completed her undergraduate degree at Clemson University, then moved to St. Kitts for veterinary school at Ross University, then to Oregon State for her clinical year. After finishing clinicals, she moved to Colorado for a mixed animal internship, before moving to Asheville. She loves going to Clemson football games, anything pertaining to the outdoors, especially hiking and running. Dr. Justice also has a handsome tuxedo kitty named Jasper and a Golden Retriever named Sophie. Dr. Justice has a passion for internal medicine and loves working at Maple Tree because of the family atmosphere.
Dr. Katherine Halapy
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Halapy joined our Maple Tree team in September of 2022 after moving to Western NC. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University in Animal Sciences in 2011. She then attended The Ohio State University, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Her veterinary interests include companion exotic medicine, as well as dentistry. When she isn’t working, Dr. Halapy enjoys kayaking and working in her garden. She currently resides in Lake Lure, NC with her motley crew of creatures including two dogs, one cat, five aquatic turtles, two red-footed tortoises, and six pet ducks.
Dr. Alexandra Gautille
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Gautille joined our team recently after working as a relief veterinarian. Dr. Gautille graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a Bachelors in Animal Science. She then moved to Scotland and obtained her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow. When not working, Dr. Gautille enjoys hiking (especially with her sweet pitty mix, Heffie) and finding the closest body of water to jump into! At work, Dr. Gautille is passionate about internal medicine, soft tissues surgery, and geriatric patient care.
HOSPITAL STAFF
Kate
Practice Owner
Kate and Dr. Birthright have been working together since designing, building and finally opening the hospital in July of 2005. Kate grew up in the panhandle of Florida and moved to Boone, NC to attend Appalachian State University. After graduating, she spent the next two years in Honduras serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Upon returning to the United States she chose Asheville as her home. Her work history includes nonprofits in Asheville, a high school Spanish teacher for Haywood County Schools and as the practice manager at Maple Tree. Since 2019 she has worked as a support to the new practice manager and continues other administrative responsibilities remotely. She loves running, camping with her family and eating!
Parker
Practice Manager
Parker Austin joined the Maple Tree team in January of 2019. Parker grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and after graduating from Georgia State University, he moved to San Francisco, California. He lived in San Francisco for close to ten years before the pull of the mountains and family brought him and his wife back to the area. Outside of work, you can typically find him in the woods with his pup, Hobbes or enjoying the day on a golf course.
Emiley
Registered Veterinary Technician
Emiley is a local to Waynesville, NC and joined us in October of 2017 while completing her A.A.S. in the Veterinary Medical Technology program at A-B Tech. Emiley is a wonderful mama to her two daughters, Meredith and Ellie, and her sweet boxer mix, Annie. Outside of work she enjoys spending time at Lake Chatuge, reading romance novels, and walking. At work, Emiley is passionate about dentistry and client communication.
Sandy
Sandy joined our team in June of 2021, after moving to the mountains from Upstate New York, where she was a reproduction technician for 20 years. Sandy is a mom of three and has a beautiful granddaughter. She also has three dogs, two Australian Cattle Dogs named Cascade and Citra, and a Chihuahua mix, Oliver. When not at work, Sandy competes with her dogs in agility trials and loves completing DIY projects at home. Sandy is passionate about dentistry, laboratory diagnostics, and canine behavior.
Shell
Shell joined our team in July of 2022 after moving to Western NC from Colorado. She is originally from Florida, but moved to Colorado to obtain her A.A.S. in Veterinary Medical Technology from Colorado Mountain College. Shell loves baking, cooking, traveling, and yoga. She also loves spending time with her four dogs, Cletus, Grits, Ash, and Jones, as well as her two cats, Mickey and Boots. Shell enjoys surgery and emergency medicine.
Danielle
Danielle is a Registered Veterinary Technician and has been in the field for many years, but joined the Maple Tree team in August of 2024. Outside of work, she enjoys fostering young kittens, travelling, reading, and spending time with her family – both two-legged and four-legged. Danielle is passionate about helping her patients while also building a relationship with their parents.
Anna
Veterinary Assistant
Anna joined the Maple Tree team in July of 2020. She has worked in veterinary medicine on and off for ten years. She went to Appalachian State University for Biology, then to Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine for a Masters in Conservation. She loves to run, ski, hike, climb, raft, and just generally loves being outside. Anna has three goofy dogs: a black lab named Fitz and two tree-walking coonhound sisters named Tonks and Nessie.
Jessica
Jessica joined our team in December of 2022. Jess graduated from UNC Asheville with degrees in Philosophy and Women’s studies and had been in the veterinary field for years. She has lots of pets, including one dog and five cats! During the summer, you can find Jess hiking with her pups, but during the winter, she enjoys snuggling at home with her pets while watching historical dramas. She enjoys dentistry and helping nervous pets feel safe and secure during their visits.
Kirstin
Veterinary Assistant
Kirstin joined our team in June of 2023. Kirstin is a native to Haywood County and is currently enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program at A-B Tech. Kirstin enjoys venipuncture and radiology.
Madisen
Veterinary Assistant
Madisen joined our team in May of 2022. Madisen grew up in Haywood County and enjoys helping her dad on their farm. She has two bullmastiffs named Diesel and Trooper. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family. Madisen loves caring for our hospitalized patients at Maple Tree.
Tasha
Veterinary Assistant
Tasha joined the Maple Tree team in November of 2024, but started in the veterinary field in 2013. She is a mom to two boys and enjoys reading, crocheting, hiking, and taking trips to the beach. Tasha enjoys surgery and dentistry, while also building relationships with her patients and their parents.
Julie
Client Care Coordinator
Julie Smith became part of Maple Tree’s team in 2018. She is originally from Putney, Vermont. She has been working in the veterinary industry for a long time. Outside of work Julie loves to spend time with friends and family and attend social events, especially Maggie Valley’s festivals and events.
Brie
Client Care Coordinator
Brie became part of Maple Tree’s family in 2016. She is from Candler, NC and used to work as a computer technician. She has an adorable Chihuahua named Penny. Outside of work she loves to read scary books and spend time at Lake Chatuge.
Bethany
Client Care Coordinator
Bethany joined our team in September of 2020 while completing her A.A.S. degree in Business Administration. Bethany has lived in Waynesville since she was young and enjoys the mountains and cool temperatures. Her cats, Milo and Iris, keep her busy with his spicy and fun dispositions. Outside of work, Bethany enjoys walking, shopping, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.
Rylee
Rylee joined the Maple Tree team in January of 2025 as our Kennel Technician. Rylee is currently in the Veterinary Technician Program at A-B Tech.
CAMP STAFF
Spring
Spring McKenzie has been with Maple Tree Dog Camp since opening in October 2013. She is an alumnus of WCU with a degree in psychology and biology. Spring lives in Balsam with her partner and her full house of animals. She loves coming home to the zoo at home after leaving the zoo at work.
Her home pack consists of Maple, a supermodel Catahoula from the shelter, Legba, a Catahoula who was found in the woods; Ramble, a mutt who is at a rescue in Charlotte; Sherpa, a husky rescued from Sarge’s; and Tucson, a Cane Corso mix. The cats who live in the mess of dogs are Zoe, Bayou, and Gumbo, the ring leader. When Spring is away from work, she loves to hike, see live music, and travel while always eating good food.
Sis
Sis joined the Maple Tree team in April of 2022, Originally from Strattanville, Pennsylvania, Sis moved to the mountains of Maggie Valley in 2003 where she lives with her husband, Mike, and her son, Charlie. Sis has 5 cats at home – Gracie, Hamilton, Hogan, Doug, and Eleanor Roosevelt, and her Boxer/Pitbull mix pup named Ripple. In her spare time, Sis loves kayaking, crocheting, and enjoying live music.
Rick
Camp Groomer
Rick Best has provided professional grooming with the team Maple Tree since 2010. Originally from Canada, Rick moved to the mountains after living on the West Coast. Rick has a sweet retriever mix named Samson. When Rick is not at work, he enjoys hiking, running, and spending time with his grandkids.
Paige
Paige has been grooming for Maple Tree since 2014. Originally from Indiana, she moved to go to school at Western Carolina University, where she got her degree in Forensic Anthropology. She is a mom of nine pups – Bogey, Duckie, Gambit, Louie, Oliver, Posey, Sprite, Turbo, and Woodrow. She also has two cats, Dexter and Kitten. In addition to all of her four-legged children, Paige also has a young daughter, Emersyn. When Paige is not grooming, she loves to spend her time seeing live music and helping out at local rescues.
Casey
Casey is one of our incredible groomers. She joined the Maple Tree team in January of 2021. Casey really enjoys expressing her creativity through her work while making your pet look and feel their best. When not at work, you can find Caey enjoying live music and spending time at the lake in the summer months. Casey has two dogs, Ava – a Pitbull mix, and Zeppelin – an Australian Shepherd.
Bri
Bri started working at Maple Tree in 2022 as a Camp Counselor, but soon started her training in grooming. She loves taking her time with the dogs she grooms to make them feel loved during their pampering. Outside of work, Bri loves spending as much time as possible outside in nature, then tending to her plants while indoors. Bri has 4 dogs named Piney, Skittles, Sundae, and Zimbo, as well as five cats at home.