Meet Our Team
Our team at Lillington Veterinary Hospital is the heart of everything we do. From preventive care to advanced diagnostics and surgery, our dedicated professionals work together to provide exceptional service and personalized attention to every pet we see.
Experienced, Compassionate Veterinarians in Lillington, NC
As trusted veterinarians in Lillington, NC, we take pride in offering a blend of experience, compassion, and community-focused care. Our team members bring diverse backgrounds, advanced training, and a shared commitment to improving the health and happiness of the pets in our community.
Below, you’ll meet the people who make our hospital a warm, knowledgeable, and reliable place for pets and their families. All biographies are printed exactly as provided, so you can get to know each team member in their own words.
Veterinarians
Practice Manager
Client Care Team
Veterinary Technicians
Vet Assistants
Compassionate Care from a Dedicated Team
Our team is proud to serve pet families throughout Lillington, Harnett County, and the surrounding communities. With decades of combined experience, advanced training, and a true passion for animals, our staff works together to create a warm, knowledgeable, and trustworthy environment for every pet who walks through our doors.
Dr. Janet Batker
Hospital Director
Veterinary Medicine was Dr. Batker’s career choice since middle school. A big influence in her decision to become a veterinarian was All Creatures Great and Small, the book and the TV show. It seemed to Dr. Batker that being a veterinarian would be the best job in the world. Before becoming a veterinarian, she groomed standardbred (harness) horses and was a research assistant at Duke University Hospital. In time, she became the first woman to graduate from NC State’s new College of Veterinary Medicine. Although initially Dr. Batker wanted to be a horse doctor, she found small animal medicine to be more challenging. She completed an internship at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and then embarked on her career, first as an associate veterinarian, then as a practice owner. She has been at Lillington Veterinary Hospital since 1996, and loves the small-town atmosphere, which allows her team 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
- Accomplishments: Broadcaster for Life with Our Animals 103.1 and Lillington Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year. Dr. Batker was an award-winning rider in her youth. Her hobbies are woodworking, stained glass, and architecture.
- Memberships: North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Dental Society, TWA, and US Modernist Houses. She is also a charter member of the Society of Phi Zeta.
Dr. Amy Allen-Graves
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.
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 except doctor. She started working part-time through 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, Elvis, and French Bulldog, Petunia. Outside of work, her hobbies are watching her children play lacrosse at their respective High School, College, and travel teams, reading a good book, spending time with family and friends, and, if any time is left over, traveling.
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 her 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 a 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.
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 State 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, a 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 from Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology in 2020. Following her significant other to Fort 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.
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 and major in Biology. Mason has had a love of pets from 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, and 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, and 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
Stephanie Hasapis
Vet Assistant
Stephanie is a native of 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 from 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 Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 2015. Stephanie worked part-time at Lillington Veterinary Hospital during her undergraduate studies, post-baccalaureate 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 role at Lillington Veterinary Hospital during her studies. Stephanie enjoys traveling, horseback 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 wavered from her dream of helping animals. Shortly after graduating from high school, 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.
McKenzie Barbour
Vet Assistant
Growing up, McKenzie had always loved helping and caring for animals. She started veterinary medicine at 16 years old, then graduated from CCCC and obtained her Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Medical Technology in 2023. She loves client education, anesthesia, dentistry, and helping fur babies in any way she can. McKenzie has one spoiled Australian Shepherd named Josie and an orange cat named Apollo. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and hiking with Josie.