Born in Charlotte, Kristen was raised right here in Hendersonville and grew up with plenty of dogs, cats, and horses. After a semester at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, she began working as a dog handler before attending Western Carolina University to earn her Bachelor’s degree in business management. After graduation, Kristen began working here at the clinic full-time while taking classes through Cedar Valley College to earn her Veterinary Technician’s degree. In the summer of 2012, she passed her state and national board exams to become a Registered Veterinary Technician!

Medically, Kristen is fond of surgery and reproduction cases, and also likes working with responsible breeders to help bring healthy future generations into the world. She’s also passionate about client education, and loves to teach a pet owner about the best possible care for their four-legged friend.

Outside of work, Kristen enjoys spending time outdoors, fly fishing with her husband, and attending American Kennel Club dog shows. She and her husband share their home with six dogs—Ivy, Loofa, Hunka, Tiki, Timber, and Izzie—as well as a pair of cats named Meerkat and Parrot. Like her mother, Kristen actively raises and shows English setters, and even won a first-place award at the 2007 English Setter National Specialty show!

Tatum was born in Montana and comes from a long line of cattle ranchers. After traveling the country with her family for many years, she settled in North Carolina. A short time later, Dr. Parsons asked her to join the Kanuga Animal Clinic team, and Tatum gladly accepted. She’s been serving the pets and animal owners of the area here at the clinic since 2012, and has a particular fascination with laboratory work. Of course, she never tires of getting to spend time around adorable puppies!

Tatum, her husband, and their son share their lives with several pets at home. They have three Catahoula Leopard dogs, a goat herd, a donkey named Whiskey, and multiple ducks and chickens.