Dr. Nicole B. Harris
Owner/Veterinarian

Since her earliest memory, Dr. Nicole Harris was driven to become a veterinarian. Her early experiences with animal care made a deep impression, and her love of medicine and problem solving grew. For Dr. Harris, a career in the world of animal care was simply the only choice! 

Dr. Harris opened Avenue Animal Hospital in the fall of 2012 to provide her own brand of modern diagnostics and client-centered services to the pet owners of the area. She has special passions for ultrasound, dentistry, and interacting closely with clients to develop personal and meaningful relationships. Dr. Harris and her husband, Eric, a software engineer, have two children and share their home with four pets of their own: Leon, a rescued French bulldog with a BIG personality; Bayla, a Boxer whose tail never stops wiggling; and two loveable black-and-white cats named Rhett Butler and Saki. When she isn’t caring for pets here at the clinic or enjoying the company of her family’s own four-legged companions, Dr. Harris enjoys reading, cooking, listening to music, and spending time around horses. She’s also an avid traveler, and loves experiencing new cultures across the globe.

Dr. Joni Johnson
Associate Veterinarian

As a little girl, Dr. Joni Johnson always had the answer ready when someone asked her what she’d like to be when she grew up. Veterinary medicine has been her passion ever since she can remember! As she got older, Dr. Johnson’s interest didn’t waver—she is truly able to live her dream while bettering the lives of pets on a daily basis here at Avenue Animal Hospital.

After graduating with her veterinary degree in the summer of 2013, Dr. Johnson joined the team here at Avenue Animal Hospital. She’s particularly fond of dentistry work, especially oral surgery—nothing compares to seeing and hearing how much better a pet feels after treatment. Dr. Johnson is also passionate about dermatology, and loves using her skills to better the lives of pets living here in “allergy central!” In her time away from work, Dr. Johnson enjoys going on adventure vacations, reading, playing the piano, and attending live concerts. At home, she and her husband, Wes, live with three rescued cats: talkative Andre, who loves being held; Mimi, a beauty queen with a face marking that makes her look like Cindy Crawford; and Mr. Duncan, who serves as Dr. Johnson’s personal alarm clock every morning.

Laura
Practice Manager

Laura joined the Avenue Animal Hospital family in 2014. She’s able to focus on small-animal care professionally while continuing to work with horses as a hobby. Here at the hospital, Laura is particularly fond of developing lasting relationships with clients and working closely with the talented and compassionate clinic staff. Laura and her husband, Ben, share their lives with two cats named George F. Pickles and Agnes Clementine, their German shepherd named Bruce, as well as Laura’s two horses, Riddle and Scotty. Much of her free time is spent training and competing her horses in three-day eventing. While in college, Laura rode for her university’s dressage team and competed at the Intercollegiate Dressage Association Nationals in 2009 and 2010, taking home first place in 2009.

Lindsey
Receptionist

Lindsey joined the Avenue Animal Hospital family in February of 2016 and couldn’t be happier. She enjoys the excitement of working in a veterinary clinic and getting to help clients and their pets. Lindsey was married to her husband, James, in March of 2015. They have two pets: Barney, a Chihuahua who Lindsey found at a restaurant she used to work for; and Mow Mow, a cat who showed up at Lindsey’s door on New Year’s Eve several years ago. When she isn’t at work or enjoying the company of her husband and pets, Lindsey enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, and practicing her photography skills. She even holds an Associate’s degree in commercial digital photography!

Linda
​Receptionist

With over eight years experience in the veterinay industry, Linda proudly joined the Avenue Animal Hopsital family in October 2016. She first met Dr. Harris in 2008 when she began working at another local veterinary clinic. Over the years, the two maintained a friendship and were excited when the opportunity to work together presented itself. Working as one of the clinic's receptionists, Linda enjoys the relationships she gets to build with the clients and their pets. Linda has three grown children and three grandchildren. When she is not at the clinic working, she is usually spending time with her grandkids and baking delicious goodies for her friends and family. Linda and her husband, Darrell, also have two dogs, ChiChi and Lucy.

Katheirne
​Licensed Technician

While in the Veterinary Technology Program at Volunteer State Community College, Katherine did clinical rotations at Avenue Animal Hospital and fit right in with the staff. After graduating Cum Laude and receiving a scholarship from the TVTA for overall achievement in the program, Katherine accepted a job and joined the team. She loves that there is always something new to learn in the veterinary industry and that keeps her on her toes. She also enjoys the different personalities of the animals she cares for on a daily basis. Katherine has a Golden Retriever mix named Lucy. She is full of energy, very intelligent and a great snuggle buddy. Katherine was recently engaged to her high school sweetheart, Alex and will plan to be married this fall. 

Staci
Technician

Staci began volunteering at the Mount Juliet Animal Shelter in 2009. It was there that she met Dr. Harris. Staci has been working in the pet care field ever since, and is currently enrolled in Volunteer State Community College’s veterinary technology program. In addition to her special interests in surgery and critical care, Staci enjoys meeting new pet owners and establishing meaningful relationships with them and their four-legged companions. Helping a pet owner through a tough time is the ultimate reward for her. When time permits between her busy work and study schedules, Staci enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her own pets. She has seven dogs—Harley, Ozzy, Baby, Leah, Peaches, Telia and Sherman—as well as a three-legged cat named Athena, many hermit crabs, and several aquatic pets.

Stephanie
Technician

Stephanie had worked with Dr. Harris on and off for several years prior to joining Avenue Animal Hospital in April of 2015. She particularly enjoys performing blood draws and examining samples under the microscope, and also likes cleaning pets’ teeth and taking oral X-rays. Stephanie even holds a level-one Veterinarian Dental Technician certification. In her time away from work, Stephanie enjoys playing volleyball, four-wheeling, line dancing, and participating in rodeos and barrel races. She has 12 horses in total—eight belong to her family as a whole, while four are Stephanie’s personal horses. She also has four dogs: a Blue Heeler named Moonshine; a Blue Heeler who goes by Colt; Dodge the Border collie; and an Australian shepherd mix named Koda.

Tanya
​Assistant

Dayle
​Assistant

Kalea
Assistant

Tanya brings over 20 years of experience in the veterinary/animal industry. Over the course of her career, Tanya has developed a strong passion for animal welfare and rescue. When the Mt. Juliet Animal Shelter opened ten years ago, Tanya immediately began volunteering time to help the animals. Her volunteering turned into a position as an animal control officer. After a few years as an officer, Tanya decided she wanted to go back to working in a clinic setting where she can utilize her skills and passion for bettering the lives of pets. She and her husband, Richie, have two adult children. Tanya's house wouldn't be complete with out her seven rescue dogs and four cats.

Bio coming soon!

Kalea joined Avenue Animal Hospital in March and is excited to be working in the veterinary field. Currently a senior in high school, Kalea has plans of attending college to major in animal science and then pursue a veterinary degree after. She would ultimately like to be a large animal veterinarian; however, would not mind doing small animal care as well. She is looking forward to gaining experience and knowledge of the veterinary field while working at Avenue Animal Hospital. Kalea has had many animals growing up and currently has four dogs, two cats, and three horses. 

Jennifer
Groomer

Ava-Nu
​Resident Feline

Jennifer first worked as a hairdresser out of high school but has been grooming dogs and cats since 1993. She lives in Mount Juliet with her husband and youngest daughter, and her oldest daughter is in college. She specializes in scissor trims but can perform any desired groom. Jennifer also enjoys cooking and spending time with her family on the lake.

Ava has been a part of Avenue Animal Hospital since 2012. She is the official greeter of the practice. You may see her assisting our receptionists at the front desk or wandering around giving directions to the technicians, who refer to her as the HR manager. She loves affection and attention!