Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital Staff

Rick Best

Groomer

Rick started with Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital in December 2010. He retired from a successful career in the restaurant industry six years ago to pursue his passion of working with dogs. In this time he developed extensive experience working with dogs and understanding their behaviors and temperaments in dog day care environments. His interest in understanding the importance of proper health and maintenance throughout a dog's life cycle led him to grooming where he became certified and has continued to enjoy success and building new relationships with his four legged friends.

Rick and his wife Kate live locally with their two dogs Dash and Willow.

Rick and his Aussie Willow are frequently runners at Lake Junaluska, while his Corgi Dash prefers a more leisurely good ol' boy stroll around the lake with his family.

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. Since graduating from Auburn School of Veterinary Medicine, he has wanted to open his own hospital and practice a high level of medical care including internal medicine, surgery and emergency/critical care.

Brian enjoys mountain and road bicycling, motorcycling and kayaking. His interests include anything in the great outdoors of the North Carolina mountains with his trusty companion, Flip.

Dr. Nancy East, DVM

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. East attended Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine and settled down in Waynesville as quickly as she could after graduating in 1997. She worked full time as a small animal veterinarian until her first child, Aidan, was born in 2003, trading in her stethoscope for a diaper bag. After settling into motherhood she resumed working as a relief veterinarian, ultimately spending most of her time at Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital. She has immensely enjoyed working with Maple Tree's clients and patients as well as building relationships with the hospital staff.  In her spare time, Dr. East loves spending time with her husband and their two children as well as Isabelle, their beloved terrier. She also enjoys running, backpacking, baking, and sewing.

Carol A. Sapp

Certified Veterinary Practice Manager

Carol has been involved in veterinary medicine for over 25 years. She started as a large animal veterinary assistant in Florida. During that time Carol owned and showed horses and loved working with all the dairy farms and horse farms. Later in her career she became the office manager/veterinary assistant for a small and large animal practice.

After 15 years in the business Carol went back to college and became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager and Consultant. She met Dr. Birthright and consulted with him while he was building Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital and then became his Hospital Manager in October 2005.

Carol has two sons who are grown and living in Florida and California. She loves hiking and camping with her yellow lab Banjo.

Lori Cagle

Receptionist

Lori began working in the veterinary field as a veterinary assistant 15 years ago. She specialized in horses for the first five years spending time in Europe as well as California and Washington State.

Lori joined the staff of Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital in December of 2005 as a receptionist.

Lori has two pets, Chloe (domestic short hair cat) and Moriah (mix breed dog).

Lori enjoys camping and hiking with her family.

Debbie Huggins

Receptionist/Veterinary Assistant

Debbie, a Florida native, grew up caring for all kinds of animals. She was a member of the 4-H horse club and enjoyed showing her horses in the hunter/jumper category.

Debbie has been in the veterinary field for 20 years. She moved to Waynesville 3 years ago with her husband, 2 kids, 3 dogs a cat and a pot-bellied pig.

Debbie joined the staff of Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital in February 2010. Her hobbies include hiking, fishing, camping and exploring the forests and old homesteads.

Tammi Dinges

Veterinary Assistant/Inventory Manager

Tammi graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Pennsylvania State University. After managing group homes for a few years, she went back to her roots in biology and began managing a small one doctor veterinary practice in Sylva.

Tammi joined the staff of Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital in August of 2005. She brings her knowledge and skill in every area of veterinary medicine as well as inventory and human resource management.

Tammi and her partner Matt have two well loved pets, Cypress (black Labrador retriever) and Fluffernutter (domestic short hair cat).

Tammi enjoys hiking, camping and backpacking with Cypress.

Kerry Ybanez

Veterinary Assistant

Kerry has had multiple years of veterinary experience ranging in emergency medicine, surgery, dental care and routine small animal care. He is currently one of our surgical assistants and specializes in dentistry’s.

Kerry lives locally with his girl friend Ana, his kids and a chinchilla, a mouse, a rabbit, a cat and a dog.

Kelly Eidelberg

Veterinary Assistant

Kelly is also a Florida native who moved up here in 2004 to raise her two children. She has worked off and on with animals for 11 years. She received a certificate of equestrian management after attending school at the Kentucky Horse Park.

When her children were old enough Kelly came back to small animal medicine. She joined the staff at Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital in April 2010.

Kelly and her children reside on a small farm in Clyde. They have an array of animals which include 5 cats, 3 dogs and soon goats.

Kelly enjoys spending quality time with her family hiking, camping and just being together.

Christina Hepner

Veterinary Assistant

Christina has been working in the veterinary field for 8 years. She started with Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital in July of 2005 and took a leave of absence to build a family that same year. She rejoined Maple Tree in April of 2010.

Christina and her partner Edgar have two beautiful children. They enjoy hiking, kayaking and horseback riding.

Christina and her family have a host of dogs, cats and horses.