Our Staff

Doctor

Allison H Fox , DVM

NC State University, 1994, B.S. Animal Science
NC State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, 2000
Member, Society of Phi Zeta, Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine
Member, American Veterinary Medical Association
Member, American Animal Hospital Association
Member, North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association
Member, Forsyth County Veterinary Medical Association

Dr. Fox was born and raised in Reidsville, North Carolina where at an early age she began actively pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Throughout college, Dr. Fox was employed as a veterinary assistant in a small animal practice. During her professional training, she worked for the Bowman Gray School of Medicine as a clinical research assistant in the primate facility studying osteoporosis preventative medications. She then worked for the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine Orthopedic Surgery Department as a research assistant studying total hip replacement implants in dogs. After graduating with honors from veterinary school, Dr. Fox moved back to Winston-Salem, where she was employed as an associate veterinarian at a small animal practice, and then worked as a relief veterinarian at various animal hospitals in both Forsyth and Stokes Counties while her practice, River Ridge Veterinary Hospital, was being constructed. Dr. Fox has special interests in canine and feline endocrinology and complicated internal medicne cases. She lives in Winston-Salem with her husband, Matt, a Product Manager at GMAC Insurance and a native of Winston-Salem. They share their home with two 14-year-old domestic shorthair cats, Birdie and Bogie.

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Technician

Candace B Spillman , R.V.T.

•North American Veterinary Technician Association, Member
•North Carolina Association of Veterinary Techinians, Member

Candace developed an interest in veterinary medicine by working part-time on weekends and after school hours in patient services at a small animal hospital. During high school, she began pursuing a career in human healthcare and earned her certification as a nurses assistant. Although she enjoyed her work as a CNA, she discovered a career opportunity that she felt better suited her. By working closely with a registered veterinary technician in her part-time job, Candace was able to find a way to bring her medical knowledge together with her love and desire to work with animals. She decided to advance her abilities and responsibilities within the profession by pursuing a degree to become a licensed veterinary technician. She attended Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, NC and earned her associates degree of Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology in 2005. She is now a registered veterinary technician (RVT) in North Carolina and lives in Winston-Salem with Tonka, a 4-year-old Boxer mix and Jada, a 4-year-old domestic shorthair cat.

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Mandy W Petree , R.V.T.

   •North American Veterinary Technician Association, Member
        •North Carolina Association of Veterinary Technicians, President Elect.for 2008

    Mandy Petree was first introduced to the field of veterinary medicine when she realized her pursuit of an agriculture education career might not fully satisfy her occupational interests. Shortly after this discovery, she began working as a veterinary assistant in a bustling small animal practice and knew she had discovered her niche. To expand her knowledge, expertise and skills, she attended Central Carolina Community College and graduated first in her class in 2001 with an associate degree of Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology. She was inducted into membership of Alpha Theta Tau Honor Society due to her outstanding scholastic achievements, and became a licensed NC Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in 2001. Since then, she has gained extensive clinical experience by working in large & small animal private practices, and then in specialty surgery and referral veterinary practices in both North Carolina and Virginia. She currently lives in High Point with her 4-year-old son Cole, and her 1-year-old son Cary while her husband Andy is on active duty with the U.S. Navy. Their family is completed by three canine companions: Riley, a 9-year-old Maltese; Holly, a 8-year-old Shih-Tzu, and Millie, a 7-year-old Miniature Pinscher.

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Reception

Stella J Sullivan

Stella's experience in the veterinary field differs from that of any other River Ridge staff member. Stella hails from New Orleans, Louisiana where she lived most of her life and attended The University of New Orleans. Her first exposure to the realm of veterinary medicine began in 1993 when she began extensive volunteer efforts with the Audubon Zoological Gardens in New Orleans, all while working reception and administrative positions in a dental office and other office settings. In 1998, after 5 years of volunteer service, Stella was officially hired by the veterinary department of the zoo's Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species as a laboratory animal supervisor, caring for the facility's domestic cats involved in reproductive research. Additionally, she personally hand-raised numerous newborn kittens of the zoo's endangered small exotic cats (African servals, caracals, and wildcats) and became the head of the Animal Ambassador program, working to educate the public about these endangered cats through media relations. Stella remained in this rewarding position for the following seven years until moving to Winston-Salem just before Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005. Stella now lives in Advance with her own personal all-feline animal brigade: Ernie, a 15-year-old domestic shorthair cat; LuLu, a 13-year-old domestic shorthair cat; Pecan, a 6-year-old domestic shorthair cat; and Brach, a 6-month-old domestic mediumhair kitten.

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Assistants

Robert "Rusty" Russell

Rusty was completing his sophomore year at Appalachian State University in pursuit of a degree in history when he decided to change his focus to the veterinary field. He began his experience working in a small animal practice first in veterinary patient care and services, and then as a veterinary assistant where he now has over 6 years of experience. Rusty lives in Winston-Salem and is an avid Wake Forest University sports enthusiast. He enjoys spending time with Skyla and Benjamin, his 8-year-old and 9-year-old Cocker Spaniels, and the family's domestic shorthair cats, Puffy and Little Puff.

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Jessica S Dunn

Jessica is a native to Forsyth county and has a background in healthcare which began with her working as an assistant and receptionist at a human foot care specialty practice. This position exposed her to the various aspects of a medical practice: patient admissions, insurance handling, examinations and surgical procedures. Jessica has been a veterinary assistant at RRVH since 2007. She is a Mount Tabor High School graduate and also pursued training in cosmetology before she developed her interest in the veterinary field. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, and shares her home with her husband Matt, their 6-month-old daughter, Piper, and their dog Nikko, a 5-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier.

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Lacey L Sexton

Lacey's experience with animals began by being born into a family of animal lovers with animals of all kinds as pets. Over the past few years, she has spent her after school hours and summer vacations volunteering her assistance at various local animal hospitals and specialty surgical facilities. Currently, Lacey works afternoons after school as an assistant to the veterinarian and technicians, and on weekends she cares for the animals that are boarded here at River Ridge Veterinary Hospital, attending to their needs, maintaining their housing, and exercising and feeding them twice daily. An honor role student and senior at West Forsyth High School, Lacey is a member of the National Honors Society and has plans to pursue a career in the medical or veterinary field. After graduation, she will be attending Salem College in the fall of 2008. Lacey's family's pets include Sushi, a 2-year-old Shih Tzu mix; Vik, a 9-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat; Blue, a Blue&Gold Parrot; Hider, a Senegal; and Zara, a Cockatoo.

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RIVER RIDGE VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Our Staff