Our Staff

Doctor

Allison H. Fox , DVM

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

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. She 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 Sr. Product Manager at GMAC Insurance and a native of Winston-Salem. Recently, their 16-year-old domestic shorthair cats, Birdie and Bogey, lost their battles with intestinal lymphoma and multilple myeloma. The Fox's plan to have more cats in the future when their loss is not so fresh on their minds and in their hearts.

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Technician

Mandy Petree , RVT

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

Mandy 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 calling. 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 for outstanding scholastic achievement 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, specialty surgery and referral veterinary practices in both North Carolina and Virginia. She currently lives in Thomasville with her 5-year-old son Cole and her 2-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 10-year-old Maltese; Holly, a 9-year-old Shih-Tzu, and Millie, a 9-year-old Miniature Pinscher.

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Candace Spillman , RVT

•North American Veterinary Technician Association, Member
•North Carolina Association of Veterinary Technicians, 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 nurse's 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 licensed veterinary technician degree. 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. Candace is also engaged and will marry her fiance Brannon in April of 2010.

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Reception

Diana Sexton

Diana is the freshest face among River Ridge Veterinary Hospital's staff. After years of working in the Asheboro as correctional officer with the sheriff's department, Diana began to search for a way to apply her interpersonal communications skills with her lifelong love of animals and the desire to work in a medical field. She found the perfect position for that combination - a veterinary hospital receptionist. Diana got her start at this job in 1997 at a busy small animal hospital. After 11 years of experience as a veterinary receptionist, she has literally "seen it all"! In addition to sharing her friendly smile and compassion for the clients and patients she serves, she has acquired expert office management skills and can perform veterinary assistant duties if the need arises. For the past year, Diana has lived in Winston-Salem with her son and enjoys being near her daughter's family (including her grandchildren!), Diana, a self-proclaimed cat person, loves spending time with her 2 cats, Miss Kitty, a 9-year-old domestic shorthair and Charlotte, a 2-year-old domestic shorthair. Diana is also a passionate UNC Tarheel fan.

Assistants

Robert "Rusty" Russell

Rusty was completing his junior 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 8 years of experience. He has been on staff at River Ridge Veterinary Hospital since its inception in 2004. Rusty lives in Winston-Salem and is an avid Wake Forest University sports enthusiast. He enjoys spending time with Skyla and Benjamin, his 11-year-old and 12-year-old Cocker Spaniels, and the family's domestic shorthair cats, Puffy and Little Puff.

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Jessica 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 River Ridge Veterinary Hospital 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 in Winston-Salem with her husband Matt, their 19-month-old daughter, Piper, and their dog Nikko, a 8-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier.

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Lacey Sexton

Lacey's experience with animals began by being born into a family of animal lovers with all kinds of pets. Over the years, she spent her after school hours and summer vacations volunteering at various local animal hospitals and specialty surgical facilities. After graduating in 2008 from West Forsyth High School, Lacey began attending Salem College in pursuit of a career in the medical or veterinary field. After classes, Lacey works afternoons as an assistant to the veterinarian and technicians. On weekends, she cares for the animals that are boarded at River Ridge Veterinary Hospital, attending to their needs, maintaining their housing and exercising and feeding them twice daily. Lacey's family's pets include: Bosley, a 6-year-old Briard, Sushi, a 4-year-old Shih Tzu mix; Rhyce, a 3-year-old terrier mix, Bam, a 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat, Vik, a 11-year-old domestic shorthair cat; Belew, a Blue & Gold Parrot; and Zara, a Cockatoo.

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RIVER RIDGE VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Our Staff