Our caring and compassionate veterinary care team!

Meet the Veterinarians & Support staff of Lillington Veterinary Hospital! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Please call us at 910-893-2081 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!

Veterinarians

Dr. Janet Batker

Hospital Director

Veterinary Medicine was my career choice since middle school. A big influence in my decision to become a veterinarian was All Creatures Great and Small, the book and the TV show. It seemed to me that  being a veterinarian would be the best job in the world. Before becoming a veterinarian  I groomed standard bred, or harness horses, and was a research assistant at Duke University Hospital. In time I became the first woman to graduate from NC State’s new College of Veterinary Medicine. Although initially I wanted to be a horse doctor, I found small animal medicine to be more challenging. I completed an internship at the University Of Georgia College Of Veterinary Medicine and then embarked on my career; first as an associate veterinarian, then as a practice owner. I have been at Lillington Veterinary Hospital since 1996 and I love the small town atmosphere which allows us to build relationships with families and their pets.

Education: B.S. Penn State, D.V.M. NC State University.  Family: two children, one dog, Briscoe (the blue tailed Pekinese), three grand-dogs, three cats and two fish. I am a charter member of the Society of Phi Zeta. Accomplishments: Broadcaster for Life with Our Animals 103.1 and Lillington Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year. I was an award winning rider in my youth. My hobbies are woodworking, stained glass and architecture. Memberships include: North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Dental Society,  TWA and US Modernist Houses.

 

Dr. Amy Allen

Veterinarian

Dr. Amy Allen-Graves graduated from NCSU CVM in 1997. She received her BS in Animal Science at NCSU in 1993. She has lived in Lillington most of her life. She decided to be a veterinarian at age 6 and never wavered from this decision. She lives in Lillington with her children Kyle and Lily, her three Labradors Nala, Remi and Slate, and her cat Mama Kitty. She worked at Lillington Vet for 8 years as a technician and has been a staff veterinarian since 1998.

Dr. Erin Byrne

Veterinarian

Dr. Byrne grew up in the suburbs of New York where her family supported her love for animals big and small. She studied biomedical sciences at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and spent her spare time volunteering at veterinary clinics and sea life rescues in the area. She moved to the small island of St. Kitts to complete her veterinary degree at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
During her time in St. Kitts, Dr. Byrne recognized how much the local citizens valued the guidance and support offered to them while learning to care for their pets. This sparked her interest in small animal primary care and client education. Her intention at Lillington Veterinary Hospital is to guide and support you in maintaining a happy and healthy life for your pet as well!
In her free time, Dr. Byrne enjoys reading, drinking coffee and creating memories with her family and friends. She lives in Benson with her husband Jake — and they are happily outnumbered by their two dogs, Tanner and Jinx, two cats, Blakely and Chicken, and a bunny named Java.

Practice Manager

Leanna King

Practice Manager

Leanna is a North Carolina native, She graduated from Campbell University with a degree in Communication. She has been a member of the LVH staff since 1990. She has held every job at the hospital but doctor. She started working part time though college as a kennel assistant, moved to the technical staff and worked as a client care member before being promoted to Practice Manager. She is a lifelong animal lover. She has had many dogs and cats through the years. Some of her favorites are from the working and herding breeds. As of now she is the resident English and French Bulldog lover. She shares her home with her husband Todd, four children, Cole, Mason (twins), Pressley and Emma. Three dogs, her rescue Chug (chihuahua/pug), English Bulldog, Elivs and French Bulldog, Petunia. Outside of work her hobbies are watching her children play lacrosse at their respected High School, College and travel teams; reading a good book, spending time with family and friends and if anytime left over traveling.

Client Care Team

Renee Adams

Client Care Team Member

Renee grew up in Angier, North Carolina and has always had a love for animals. She started at Lillington Veterinary Hospital in 1996. She enjoys spending time with her family, her two dogs and two cats. She is married to her husband Keith and has two beautiful children, Ben and Bella.

Hanna Stone

Client Care Team Member

Hanna has always had a love for animals since she was little, growing up with many cats and dogs. She travelled around the United States when she was younger and still has passion to hike around North Carolina and the nearby states with her canine companion, Baylee. Hanna also has a love for plants and rocks, which she tries her hardest to keep her cat, Jiji, from knocking over. She also has a pet snake, a ball python named Coconut.

Veterinary Technicians

Daphne Pegram

Veterinary Team Lead
Daphne grew up on a tobacco and beef cattle farm in Guilford County NC. She received an Associate Degree in Animal Husbandry at NC Sate University. She currently resides in Lillington with her horse, dog and cat. Whenever she isn’t working she enjoys horseback riding, hiking & dog agility.

Tiffany Fallon

Registered Veterinary Technician

Tiffany is a Harnett County native where she was born, raised, and currently resides. She has been a member of the LVH technical staff since 2012 and is our resident Dachshund lover. She graduated from CCCC with an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Medical Technology and obtained her Registered Veterinary Technicians license in 2012. Her main areas of interest in Vet Med include all things surgery, anesthesia, dentistry, and nursing care. She shares a home with her husband Adam and  their two children, Owen and Quinn. Adding to the chaos are her two dachshunds, Scarlet and Barnes, Golden Retriever, Amber, and a Lab/Boykin mix, Reed. Outside of work her hobbies include being  a certified Swiftie, relaxing at the lake, reading, eating good food, and spending time with her family and friends.

Ember Tolbert

Registered Veterinary Technician

Raised in the Rocky Mountains, Ember graduated Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology in 2020. Following her significant other to Ft. Liberty, she moved to the Lillington area; and after completing her technician registration for North Carolina, she joined the Lillington Veterinary Hospital family. She has a particular interest in veterinary anesthesia, and hopes to pursue it as a specialty. She currently has three dogs, two cats, and a deep appreciation for rats. As a long term goal, she hopes to one day open a sanctuary for senior dogs and provide quality end-of-life care.

Vet Assistants

Mason King

Vet Assistant

Mason is a legacy employee here at LVH. His mother is our Practice Manager, Leanna. Mason is a graduate of Broughton High School in Raleigh. He has plans to go to Appalachian State this fall and major in Biology. Mason has had a love of pets at an early age and loves all dogs and cats. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and friends and 3 dogs, Chug, English Bulldog Elvis and French Bulldog Petunia. Mason’s intention is to come back every fall and summer break to LVH.

Julie Morrison

Vet Assistant

Julie grew up in Nobleboro, Maine, she is a U.S Army Veteran, Army spouse, and mom of twin boys who are also in the Army. She is proud to serve her country and has a passion to help people and animals. Being in a military family has allowed Julie to have many different careers all over the world including childcare, healthcare, the school system, and now vet med.  She has always loved Veterinary Medicine since she was a little girl, finally was able to cross it off her bucket list in 2017, and has been loving every minute of it. She has been with Lillington Veterinary Hospital since December 2022.

Julie has a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Wellness and is a Certified Personal Trainer. Over the years she has realized how important it is to take care of your whole self, mind-body-spirit and she hopes to bring her love for animals and love for health and wellness together in a way that can help people and animals live their best lives. Julie has three dogs and two cats, Chance, Charlie, Gracie, Maximus, and Emma. Her hobbies are spending time with her family and furbabies, listening to music, being active, and spending time in her gym

Anne Partlow

Vet Assistant

Anne grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia and Russellville, Kentucky where she inherited a love of rescue from her mother. Since she was in elementary school, she has worked with rescue organizations, volunteered at shelters, and fostered animals, ranging from companion animals to reptiles and small exotic mammals. She began her journey in veterinary medicine in 2018, and has since developed a passion for feline medicine and behavior.
Anne shares her home with a Great Pyrenees, a Pyrenees/Golden Retriever mix, 3 cats, an aquatic turtle, betta fish, and an indeterminate number of snails. In her spare time, she enjoys going to local music venues, hiking, and discovering new restaurants to enjoy with her partner.

Stephanie Hasapis

Vet Assistant

Stephanie is a native from Lillington, NC and currently lives in Raleigh, NC. Stephanie started volunteering at Lillington Veterinary Hospital in October of 2010 while she was a senior in high school. After graduating high school, Stephanie attended North Carolina State University and started working part-time at Lillington Veterinary Hospital in October of 2011. Stephanie graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelors of science in Animal Science in 2015. Stephanie worked part-time at Lillington Veterinary Hospital during her undergraduate studies, post-bachelorette studies, and while she worked full time as a research analyst at Duke University.

Stephanie was accepted to the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University as a Class of 2027 student. She will still maintain her part-time roll at Lillington Veterinary Hospital during her studies. Stephanie enjoys traveling, horse back riding, scuba diving, and hiking. Stephanie has a passion for all animals and her pets include dogs, cats, reptiles, fish, exotic mammals, and horses.

Mirandia Ellis

Vet Assistant

Mirandia was born in Coats, NC and moved to Linden, NC as a young child where she still currently resides. Even as a toddler she displayed a deep love for all animals and she never waivered from her dream of helping animals. Shortly after graduating high schools she was accepted into the vet tech program at Central Carolina Community College, she graduated in 2015 with a degree in applied science for Veterinary Medical Technology. She has worked as a vet tech for over 7 years and her passion is working with cats and senior pets. Mirandia and her spouse live with numerous animals including two dogs, five cats, three turtles, a bearded dragon and a multitude of snakes. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her family, fishing, reading and working with reptiles.

Brittany Kenney

Vet Assistant

Brittany has lived most of her life here in Harnett County. As a child, her dream career was to become a veterinarian. She attended Overhills High School and went on to pursue a career in the medical field as a CNA and phlebotomist, but found she enjoyed working with animals more. Brittany worked as a zookeeper for a short while  caring for exotic animals before becoming a veterinary technician in 2020. Brittany lives with her husband, Sean, two parrots and a Doberman Pinscher.
Her hobbies include traveling with her husband, reading, watching horror movies, horseback riding and going to the beach.