our team

...well hello there!

Dr. Keith Harrison

Born and raised in Hickory, N.C. Dr. Keith Harrison attended N.C. State University where he majored in animal science. He then received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Auburn University in 1981. After graduation he joined Dr. Russell Tate, Sr., at Maple Lawn Animal Clinic in Vass, N.C. practicing companion animal and equine medicine, and then later at the Animal Health Center in Southern Pines. In 1989 Dr. Harrison and Dr. Tate opened a second location for Animal Health Center in West End which became West Pine Animal Hospital and Pet Resort in 2018. Dr. Harrison has a special interest in all types of surgery and enjoys the everyday challenges of internal medicine. Dr. Harrison is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association and the North Carolina Academy of Small Animal Medicine. He and his wife Mary Scott have two daughters, Amanda and Rebecca, and a cute little dachshund mix named Leroy. His hobbies include bass fishing, golf and spending time with his family.

Jared Tyndall

Jared is not only our hard working practice manager, but he also happens to be Dr. Lea's wonderful husband. Jared began his career as a veterinary assistant at a private practice in Raleigh in 2004. He stayed with that practice until 2014 when he joined Banfield Pet Hospital in Cary as their practice manager until Dr. Lea was lucky enough to convince him to leave to join the West Pine team. Jared is a huge animal lover, and has a special interest in caring for our more fearful pets who sometimes need an extra dose of TLC. In his spare time Jared thoroughly enjoys watching sports with pro football being his favorite sport and the Denver Broncos being his favorite team.

Dana Nuzzo

Dana has been a veterinary receptionist since 2006. After many years in Florida, she returned to her home in North Carolina, where she married her husband Mark. They blended their home with both children and multiple pets. Dana has always had a fondness for Yorkies, but loves all animals. As our amazing receptionist she enjoys the clients, their pets, and working with a great team!

Brianna Parsons

Brianna has been with us since August 2019 when she was hired as an Animal Care Specialist and Vet Assistant. She has had a life long love of animals and sees them not just as pets, but as companions. She loves to read and spend time with her own fur baby, a beautiful tuxedo kitty named Cookie. Her experience here has convinced her to pursue this as a career and is currently enrolled in a Registered Veterinary Technician program.

Dr. Caroline Lea Tyndall

Dr. Lea grew up on her family's tobacco and cattle farm in Eastwood, North Carolina, just outside of West End. Her love for animals and passion to become a veterinarian began at an early age and has continued throughout her life. She attended NC State University where she obtained both her bachelors in animal science and her doctorate of veterinary medicine. Following graduation, she was offered a position as a staff veterinarian at Animal Health Center in 2015 which she maintained until purchasing the practice from Dr. Keith Harrison in October of 2018. Dr. Lea has a special interest in feline medicine, but thoroughly enjoys all aspects of medicine and surgery. She is a member of several professional associations including the American Association of Feline Practitioners as well as the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Lea's family have been Moore County natives for over 4 generations and she feels very blessed to have the support of her local family and friends as she continues her passion in this community. Outside of work, Dr. Lea and her husband Jared enjoy spending time with their baby girl Olivia and their pets Slash (Pug), Jules (Golden Retriever), Tweak (fluffy orange kitty), and Skitt (dilute calico kitty). They also try to get to Raleigh as often as they can in the fall to cheer on the Wolfpack at NC State's Carter Finley Stadium!

Annette Girton

Annette has 10 years of experience in the veterinary field and has been diligently serving our clients at the front desk since 2011. She has been an animal lover all her life and enjoys doing her part to help keep pets healthy and happy. Closest to Annette's heart are Danny and Lula Bean, her two fur children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, photography, and being active.

J.R.

J.R. (short for just rotten!) has been our resident kitty since 2007. J.R. came to our hospital as a very sick kitten and at that time it was unclear that he could survive his illness. He proved to be a tough fighter though and through the help of his vet team and some unconventional healing, he rebounded and has been with us ever since! J.R. can be found throughout the hospital on any given day, but does like to spend time outdoors on the picnic table or back porch when the weather permits. His favorite activities include playing hide and seek with his co-workers, snacking with friends in the break room, and assisting the team outside while doing lameness evaluations or collecting urine samples. In his time here, J.R. has had a few risky adventures which have nearly cost him some of his 9 lives. Most notably were one trip as a stowaway on the UPS truck and one joy-riding adventure on Dana's convertible top through the parking lot. Luckily, he has always made it safely back to his home here at West Pine Animal Hospital!

Nicole Walsh

Nicole has been a fantastic veterinary assistant with us since 2009. First with Animal Health Center and now with West Pine Animal Hospital. She graduated in 2007 with her bachelors in biology from Western Carolina University. She is the proud pet mom to Leo- a 12 year old beagle mix, Dixie- a 10 year old Boston Terrier, and Kiki- a 9 year old beautiful black cat!

Darlene Bowman

Darlene is our Animal Care Specialist that works with our pets who visit for boarding, daycare, or just a good bath. She truly loves and bonds with the pets she cares for each day. Darlene was born and raised in the area and has been caring for animals here since 2008. She treats all of them as if they were her own, who are Sonny Boy, Buddy, Twiggy, and of course Kalie.

Yvonne Lospinuso

Yvonne is our fabulous Veterinary Technician. Yvonne is a 1986 graduate of Central Carolina Community College's School of Veterinary Technology. Following graduation, she was employed by Animal Health Center which she maintained for decades until Dr. Lea purchased the practice making it West Pine Animal Hospital. We feel very fortunate to have her continued service and years of expert skills. In her spare time Yvonne enjoys riding her motorcycle and gardening. Yvonne has a few pets including her senior cat "Newie" and a few fish.

Rachel Levy

Rachel was hired as an Animal Care Specialist and Vet Assistant in August, 2019. She is originally from Los Angeles but moved to North Carolina in 2005. She enjoys spending time with her two Beagle mixes, Dixie and Sadie, her cute pit bull Monkey, and a rambunctious black cat named Jinx. She loves to spoil the pets she sees here and treats them all as if they were her own. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.