Support Staff

Management

Christy B Reeves, Operations Manager

Christy and Dwayne with their son, Ty

I began working for R.E.A.C.H. in June of 2000 as a veterinary assistant, slowly adding on responsibilities every few months. I am not involved with patient care any longer, which I do miss, but I am very content with my current position. Some of my duties have included inventory and staff scheduling, but I now mostly deal with bookkeeping, regulatory compliance, IT maintenance and the day to day operation of a business.  I have watched R.E.A.C.H. change in many ways and I am very proud of our hospital. I look forward to growing with R.E.A.C.H. and to serving our community here in Western North Carolina.

My love for animals and medicine began on my family's dairy farm when I was just a baby. As soon as I was old enough I was helping out in every way that I could. I was involved in all aspects of the dairy business and gained a vast knowledge of animal management. I attended NC State University where I graduated with a BS in Animal Science and a minor in Nutrition in 2000. My family and I now reside in Leicester on our farm where we enjoy spending time with our dog, donkeys, pigs, and beef cattle. We also enjoy spending time at church, being involved with 4-H, playing sports, and being outdoors. 

Jen on the river (in red vest)

Jen Ingle, Technical Staff Supervisor

I grew up in Bristol TN, and then came to the Asheville area to attend Warren Wilson College, where I graduated with a BS in biology with a minor in chemistry in December 2003.  I loved my experience at Warren Wilson, with the highlight being working as the Pig Crew Supervisor.  I love pigs.  I joined the R.E.A.C.H. team in May 2005, on the day of my first daughter’s first birthday.  I currently work as Trainer, and work to ensure that the process of a visit to R.E.A.C.H. remains as efficient and timely as possible.  I am momma by day, and Jen by night.  I have two girls, Willamina and Earlie, who both share the same love for animals and critters that my husband, Wiik, and I do.  Willamina wishes she could come to work with me, and promises that she wouldn’t get sleepy because it would be so fun.  Our family enjoys lots of time outdoors, especially whitewater rafting, and we take the R.E.A.C.H. team rafting annually.  There is nothing more rejuvenating than to spend some time outdoors. 

Veterinary Nurses

Paul and Emmylou

Paul Rushton 

I was born and raised in Mississippi and have been brought up with a huge medical influence with my father being a surgeon. That influence, along with my love of animals, has steered me and my education towards the veterinary world.  I graduated from the College of Charleston in 2000 with a B.S. in Biology with Pre-Vet emphasis; I have since continued my educational efforts elsewhere. Veterinary medicine has always been a huge part of my life.  I started volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center for some experience.  I then acquired a job at a vet hospital in Charleston, SC working in the kennels while still in school and then moving my way up to assistant and then technician.  I’ve been in the field since 1998 and have been challenged throughout the years to advance myself.  I moved to Asheville in 2002 to work in a couple of vet hospitals until I joined the R.E.A.C.H. team in 2004 and have had some great experiences throughout my time here.  Everyday is a new experience and when you think you’ve seen it all, BAM! You’ve got something you’ve never seen and it may even be pretty bizarre.  Yet the reward comes from seeing a positive result of what our team has done to aid the well-being of an animal as well as that animal’s people, even if it’s simply eliminating the pain which is what I believe is our primary goal as veterinary caregivers.  

As for life outside R.E.A.C.H. I have a dog of my own, Emmylou.  She goes most everywhere with me and has taught me that getting rid of dog hair is a lost cause; it’s always going to show up on your clothes and other things as well.  I’m what you could call a “hardcore” whitewater addict.  I love to hurl myself off waterfalls in my kayak.  I love camping, spending time outdoors, nights on the town, and anything having to do with music whether it is playing it, listening to it, or writing it.  I’m a laid back person who loves most things peaceful.  With all things in life I feel it’s important to look at the good things, both simple and elaborate, and just savor it! 

Kendra

Kendra Metcalf 

I was born and raised in Madison County. I graduated from Madison High in 1997. I am also a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator. I feel that my purpose on Earth is to care for all of God's little critters. 

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, taking care of all my critters, riding motorcycles, camping, and fishing. Pretty much anything outdoors is okay with me. We are members of North Fork Baptist Church and attend when able. 

I have been with R.E.A.C.H. since 2006, and I love it. Working here has shown me the need and benefit of educating people on pet care.

Darcie and Dave

Darcie Keyes

Hello, I came to North Carolina from Boston, Mass. where I worked at a 25 doctor emergency/surgical referral specialty hospital. I loved my job but I am not a city girl! I have always loved visiting North Carolina so I decided to see what it's like to live down here. I was blessed to find R.E.A.C.H. and the city of Asheville. 

Originally I'm from Maine and for the first 7 years of my career as a veterinary technician, I worked in a day practice as a surgery tech. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It was there that I grew as a technician. I give all the credit to Dr. Miles and Darby. Their influence and mentorship is why I'm the tech that I am today. During that time I also worked at the local emergency clinic as a part time gig. That experience changed the direction of my career and I decided that emergency medicine was where I needed to be. It was hard to leave Dr. Miles, but I needed to follow my heart. So, I ended up in Boston. It was an exciting adventure to work in Boston. It was a large and fast paced environment that I loved.  I eventually worked my way up to assistant supervisor of the emergency department. It was also a great experience for my career but I had to get back to the country. Asheville is absolutely beautiful and I feel I have finally found my place in life here. I look forward to growing with the R.E.A.C.H. team.  

Rob and Conan

Rob Lewis

I was born in Charleston SC and have lived all up and down the east coast. I started out 8 years ago working in the kennels of a small day practice in Raleigh NC, where I worked my way up to vet assistant. I spent time volunteering at the Pittsburgh Carnivore Preservation Center. After some time there, my wife and I packed up our dogs and cats and came to beautiful Asheville, NC. I now work the third shift at R.E.A.C.H. in the ICU and Treatment positions, and love it. I am here for all of your late night emergencies and questions. I am currently going to school to become a Registered Vet Technician. On my off time, I enjoy writing, recording music, whitewater kayaking and snowboarding. I am an experienced horse back rider and I am very active in animal and environmental rights issues. I could not have asked to work with a more caring group of people as I do now at R.E.A.C.H. I consider myself lucky to be here in this great city, working in a state of the art animal hospital like R.E.A.C.H.