Meet Our Team
Dr. Robbie Jones McLeod, Owner/Veterinarian
Dr. Robbie has been providing veterinary services in Western North Carolina for the past 15 years. A 1998 graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she opened Country Lane Animal Hospital in 2002 and Cherokee Animal Care Clinic in 2009.
Skilled in all levels of veterinary medicine for large and small animals, including exotics. Services include General Medicine, Internal Medicine, Dental Care, Routine and Orthopedic Surgeries, Geriatric Care, and Reproductive Services.
Dr. Robbie lives in Whittier, NC with her husband Rusty, daughter Aerin, step-daughter Taylor, her Whippet Zippy, 2 cats, 2 horses, and other farm friends. She is dedicated to the health, happiness, and well-being of all her patients.
Kristee Kaye, Owner/Practice Manager
Kristee and her family have been raising Paso Fino show horses in Cullowhee, NC for 20 years. She teamed up with Dr. Robbie McLeod to open Cherokee Animal Care Clinic in 2009. Kristee has twin daughters Katherine and Elizabeth and pets Roxie, Hooligan, and Kosda.
Kristin Chambers, Practice Manager
Kristin joined our clinic in 2015 after earning her Associates Degree in Medical Office Administration. She resides with her husband Brent, daughter Emersyn, and two pets, Valor and Willow, in the Birdtown community.
Dr. Jenny Gibson, DVM
Dr. Gibson joined our team in 2013. A 1996 LSU College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. Passionate about small animal practice, she lives with her husband, 3 cats, and 2 dogs.
Dr. Lina Rodriguez, DVM
Newest Associate Veterinarian at Cherokee. 2021 graduate of University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Fluent in English and Spanish. Available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Amanda Long, Registered Veterinary Technician/Head Technician
Amanda has worked in veterinary medicine since 1999 and became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2002. She joined our team in 2009,
Kaylee Simmons, Veterinary Assistant
Kaylee joined our team in 2023 while seeking her Registered Veterinary Technician license. Her main interest is in equine medicine. She resides in Whittier with her daughter Dahlia and horse Jewbul.
Derek Plaster, Veterinary Assistant
Derek joined our team in 2021, he has always had a passion for animal welfare. He is a pet parent of a German Shepherd named Aoife, in his spare time he enjoys wildlife and gardening.
Katie Winchester, Receptionist/Veterinary Assistant
Katie and her husband, Dewight live with their 3 days and 2 dogs in Whittier. Katie graduated with a degree in biology from Lees-McRae College in 2022 and joined our team shortly after.
Sunshine Nash, Receptionist
Sunshine was a Veterinary Technician Assistant for 23 years. Recently moved to North Carolina with her dogs Diego and Maya. We were blessed to haev her join our team in 2024.
Amy Ledford, Receptionist
Amy resides in the Wolfetown community with her husband, 5 children and 5 dogs. She joined our team in 2022, left to live in Oklahoma for a year and returned in 2025.
Amie Garcia, Receptionist
Amie joined our team in 2019 as a receptionist, she resides in Dillsboro with her Fiancé, 6 dogs and 5 cats. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and visiting her family in Georgia.
Hannah Rhinehart, Receptionist
Taylor grew up doing private animal rescue with family, she is currently enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program at Penn Foster, hoping to specialize in exotic animal research.
Lauren Collins, Receptionist
Mckenzie Harburn, Kennel Technician
Mckenzie joined our team in 2024, she lives in Whittier with pets Lilo, Izzy, and Chloe. Outside of work McKenzie enjoys spending time baking and creating art.