South Forsyth Veterinary Staff

Registered Veterinary Technicians

Erin Kutner, RVT

Erin Kutner has worked at South Forsyth Animal Hospital since July of 2008. She has dual Associate's degrees in Veterinary Technology and Health Sciences. In addition to being licensed in the state of Georgia, she also passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam in 2008.

"My co-workers are like my second family," says Erin. "I'm one of those lucky people who wakes up every morning looking forward to their job. I enjoy the variety my profession brings, and I love working with a great team that provides high-quality veterinary care."

At home, Erin has two cats: Stella and Bayo. In her free time she enjoys shopping, fishing, watching movies, going to the beach, and spending time with her husband Stephen and two sons Liam and Eli.

Kim Gunter, RVT

Kim Gunter joined our team in November of 2013 and has 31 years of experience in the animal care field. Her favorite parts of her job are assisting in surgeries, dental procedures, and caring for hospitalized patients. She is a licensed technician in the state of Georgia.

"I really like how each employee treats every pet as if they were their own," says Kim. "I appreciate the quality of veterinary care at South Forsyth Animal Hospital, which helps further my knowledge."

At home Kim has four dogs: Reine, a Rottweiler, Brody, a toy fox terrier, Champ, a German Shepherd, and Harley, a Golden Retriever. She also has a cat named Tinsel and a ferret named Leo. In her free time Kim enjoys camping,boating and spending time with her husband, daughter, and son.

Karlie Mason, RVT

With over 10 years of experience in the animal related field, Karlie joined our team at South Forsyth Animal Hospital in April 2024 as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Some of her responsibilities include anesthesia monitoring, radiography, venipuncture, and prioritizing client communication and education. With her detail-oriented nature combined with her lighthearted and fun personality, Karlie is a great addition to our team.

Karlie attended Auburn University and received her BS in Animal Science Pre-Vet in 2019 before moving onto Jefferson State CC to receive her Associate's Degree of Applied Science for Veterinary Technology, where she was licensed in. Some of her previous jobs included Kennel Tech at Camp Bow Wow, as well as being a Technician and LVT at other clinics before joining ours.

"There is always an opportunity to learn something new and exciting," Karlie says when asked about why she enjoys working at South Forsyth. "Everybody truly cares for each of our patients and work as an amazing team."

At home, Karlie has a 15-year-old American Eskimo Mix named Poochie. In her free time, she enjoys watching football, basketball, tennis, spending time at the lake, bowling, and eating.

Veterinary Technicians

William Case Hillier, Veterinary Technician

Case Hillier is one of our part-time Veterinary Technicians. Case has been volunteering and working with South Forsyth Animal Hospital since 2007 and grew up in the animal field helping his mother for as long as he can remember. Some of Case’s responsibilities at the hospital include assisting the veterinarians by collecting and maintaining patient records, administering medications and treatments, taking radiographs, preparing patients for examinations, collecting test samples, and more. He posses a B.S. in Biomedical Science from Troy University and has been accepted to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine's Class of 2022.

His favorite aspect about working at South Forsyth Animal Hospital is being able to help animals in need and watching families reunite with their pets after a healthy recovery. “South Forsyth Animal Hospital is unique not only because of the extensive experience of the veterinarians and veterinary staff,” Case says, “but also the dedication of all our employees to patient care and showing compassion to all pets and their families.”

In his free time, Case enjoys running, and working out, and considers healthy living a great passion of his. Case also enjoys reading about current events and emerging information. He has 3 cats and 3 dogs, most of whom are family pets. Momba, a feline, is a rescue that Case brought home from Troy University as another member of their furry family.

Ashleigh Budke, Veterinary Technician / Surgery Technician

Ashleigh Budke has worked at South Forsyth Animal Hospital since April 2019. As a Veterinary Technician / Surgery Technician in training, Ashleigh is responsible for various tasks including holding patients for exams, taking vitals during surgery, setting up surgery, monitoring patients and making sure patients are comfortable. The best part of her job is getting to interact with a variety of cats and dogs, as well as witnessing the amazing surgeries that save pet lives.

“Everyone is kind and compassionate. The doctors and staff all care on a level I haven’t seen before at an animal hospital,” Ashleigh says. “Every day is different, and I’m constantly being challenged and learning something new, which I love and enjoy.”

Ashleigh has a Bachelor of Science from Middle Tennessee State University and has been working in the animal field for about four years. At home, Ashleigh has four dogs. Two boxers named Roxxy and Brynlee, a boxer/lab named Jaeger, and a chihuahua named Alfie. She also has four cats; a grey tabby named Misty, two domestic long hairs named Marley and Minxie, and a tortie cat. During her free time, she likes spending time with her family and friends, visiting Helen or Dahlonega, watching YouTube, shopping, going to concerts, and traveling.

Paige Price, Veterinary Technician

Paige is currently working toward her Veterinary Technician degree at Penn Foster College while working with us full time. She started working with us in June 2021 and has been working with animals professionally for over two years. “Each and every one of us all have the same goal of treating each patient with the highest quality care,” said Paige “We are a family, and we treat each patient as if they are a member of our own family.”

Paige loves creating relationships with you and your pets! At home, she is a pet parent to a dog, Katie, and cat Shelby. Paige spends her free time cuddling with her pets, hanging out with her boyfriend, and watching her favorite baseball team play.

Maria Belen Vargas, Veterinary Technician

Maria Belen Vargas has worked at South Forsyth Animal Hospital since July of 2021. As a Veterinary Technician, Maria is responsible for various tasks including assisting Doctors in getting an accurate medical history, assisting in the exam room, and performing laboratory and digital prescriptions. Of her position at South Forsyth Animal Hospital, she most enjoys taking care of her patients when they are hospitalized or in an exam room.

“My coworkers and Doctors have a ton of experience, knowledge, and compassion in the veterinary field,” she say of why she enjoys working at South Forsyth Animal Hospital.

Maria has a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine & Animal Husbandry and has been working in the animal field for ten years. At home, Maria has a mixed-breed dog named Faran. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing computer games, hiking with her dog, horseback riding, and watching movies.

Katalina K. Ramirez, Veterinary Technician

Katalina has been a full-time veterinary technician with us since April of 2022. Known for her bubbly and friendly personality, she loves connecting with owners and finding the best ways to care for their pets. Her daily duties include assisting doctors, caring for patients and their owners, and filling and administrating medications. Katalina first started working at an animal hospital in 2016, where she was cross-trained in assistance, kennel, and reception. Since then, she’s worked at five other animal hospitals.

Asked about why she loves working at South Forsyth Animal Hospital, Katalina says, “Everyone is super sweet and welcoming. The doctors are also so amazing and so helpful, informative, and detailed. The level of organization is also amazing, as it improves quality of care for pets and owners. Having worked at four other practices before this one, South Forsyth Animal Hospital is definitely on top.”

Katalina has two sibling German Shepherds named Oso and Lobo and a Pitbull mix named Canelo. When she’s not working, she loves hiking with her dogs, baking Mexican and American desserts (her favorites are chocoflan and cheesecakes), and weightlifting at the gym.

Nikki Zinn, Veterinary Nurse

With over seven years of previous experience at animal clinics, Nikki has been a veterinary nurse with our South Forsyth Animal Hospital team since April of 2022. She’s currently enrolled in Penn Foster for RUT. Besides helping the pets, she enjoys working with the staff and doctors as a team.

“Taking care of animals has always been in my heart and soul. What drove me to South Forsyth is the family atmosphere.”

Nikki has one lab mix rescue named Tucker and a cat named Ava. When she’s not working, she loves being outdoors and adventurous as well as spending time with her three children Brayden (11), Reagan (9), and Cameron (7). Cheering for Brayden as he plays for his Georgia Jacket baseball team keeps her busy–Cameron is following in his big brother’s footsteps and also plays baseball. Nikki also coaches 8U softball for her daughter and her team. Giving love to the animals at the Humane Society with her kids is a frequently fun excursion.

Veterinary Assistants

Townes Nicole Hillier, Veterinary Assistant

Townes Nicole Hillier is a veterinary assistant at South Forsyth Animal Hospital. She is a pre-veterinary student at Mississippi State University and has worked in veterinary hospitals since 2007.

Grady O'Neal, Veterinary Assistant

Grady has worked at South Forsyth Animal Hospital since 2017 and is attending Mississippi State for Aerospace Engineering. Grady graduated from Lambert High School and ran cross country. In his free time, he enjoys playing disc golf and hanging out with friends. He has two dogs, Hula a Labrador Retriever and Kate a Mutt.

Carleigh Hillier, Veterinary Assistant

Carleigh has been with South Forsyth Animal Hospital since July 2020. She graduated from Buford High School and will be attending University of Georgia for Biological Science. Carleigh has 4 dogs and 3 cats and in her free time she likes to play volleyball and spend time with her friends.

Ashlynn Mullis, Veterinary Assistant

As our Veterinary Assistant since February 2024, some of Ashlynn's responsibilities include keeping the hospital neat and tidy, cleaning up after patients, and spending them home fresh and clean! Her perseverance and unwavering dedication makes her a wonderful member of our team.

"At South Forsyth Animal Hospital, everyone is dedicated to helping animals. Everyone works cohesively to achieve their common goal: alleviate and care for client's pets," Ashlynn says.

Ashlynn has three wonderful cats at home - Azzy, the 4-year-old Tabby cat, Link, the 1.5-year-old Tabby cat, and Viva, the 1-year-old Calico cat.

"More than anything," Ashlynn emphasizes, she enjoys spending time with her cats. "They could entertain me for hours with their shenanigans." If she's not with them, she says she is either shopping or sleeping.

Client Services

Sarah Legendre, Practice Manager

Sarah Legendre joined our team in May of 2021 after relocating to Georgia with her family. Sarah has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine.

Sarah’s favorite thing about SFAH is how dedicated the doctors and staff are to creating a warm and caring environment for our clients and their pets. “We have the most caring clients who absolutely love their pets and it is a joy to see that relationship every day!”

At home, Sarah has a sassy labradoodle named Scout. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, exploring the State of Georgia and spending time outdoors with her family.

Alexis Hasbrouck, Receptionist

Full-time receptionist Alexis Hasbrouck joined the team in August of 2021, providing pet owners with a positive experience through answering phones, greeting visitors, and assisting anyone who is waiting in the office.

Alexis has a German Shepherd mix named Bear–in their free time, they both love hiking and camping. She also has a fondness for photography.

Rachel Barlow, Receptionist

Joining our team in March 2024, Rachel is our Receptionist that answers calls from our clients, schedules appointments, and assists our clients with their questions and concerns about their pets. She enjoys creating relationships with everyone who walks through our doors, and her positive attitude and problem-solving abilities are crucial aspects to our hospital.

"I love how attentive everyone is to each patient and how the clients feel like personal acquaintances," Rachel shares. "We really strive for that personal relationship which is so important."

Rachel has a plethora of pets at home! She has Forrest, a Cairn Terrier, 3 domestic shorthair cats (Boo, Cricket, and Willow), 2 birds, 2 fish, and a horse named Thor.

Halston Hillier, Receptionist

Bio coming soon!

Beth Sowell, Volunteer

Beth Sowell has been with us since July of 2007. She joined the team after retiring from her job at BellSouth/ATT, where she worked for 30 years. "Drs. Hillier and O'Neal had been my pet's doctors for many years," she says. "And I had always thought I would like to work in a veterinary hospital after retirement. It was a match meant to be!" Beth recently retired from her position as office manager but still volunteers here, assisting in a variety of areas throughout the hospital.

Beth has a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and Master's degree in Management of Technology, both from Georgia Tech. At home, Beth and her husband Gary have two dogs: Shih Tzu mixes Ginny and Carlie.

Groomer

Amon Glover, Groomer

Bio coming soon!