Dr. Brittany Dawes, DVM
Associate Veterinarian

Originally from South Florida and raised in High Point, North Carolina, Dr. Brittany Dawes has always had a deep love for animals. Growing up, her home was full of pets—from dogs and cats to a chinchilla, hamsters, reptiles, and fish. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from East Carolina University, where she also worked as a veterinary technician, gaining hands-on experience before attending veterinary school at Auburn University (War Eagle!). Her clinical interests include dentistry, feline medicine, internal medicine, preventative care, and client education. Outside of work, Dr. Dawes enjoys spending time with her three cats, relaxing with family and friends, and diving into a good book. She joined Avenue Animal Hospital in the summer of 2023 and is excited to continue building connections with clients and their pets.

Dr. Nicole B. Harris, DVM
Owner/Veterinarian

From a young age, Dr. Nicole Harris knew she was meant to be a veterinarian. Her early experiences caring for animals sparked a deep passion for medicine and problem-solving, making a career in veterinary care the only path that ever felt right. In 2012, Dr. Harris founded Avenue Animal Hospital to offer modern diagnostics and personalized care to local pet owners. She’s especially passionate about ultrasound, dentistry, and building lasting relationships with clients—believing that great veterinary care starts with genuine connection.
Dr. Harris lives in the area with her husband Eric, a software engineer, and their two children. Their home is full of personality, thanks to their four pets: Basil, a Doberman Pinscher, Petunia Rose, a French bulldog with a big attitude and two affectionate black-and-white cats, Saki and Squish.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Harris enjoys reading, cooking, music, and time around horses. She’s also an avid traveler who loves exploring new cultures and perspectives around the world.

Dr. Bethany Tyler, DVM
Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Bethany Tyler grew up in Sistersville, West Virginia, and knew from an early age that caring for animals was her passion. Surrounded by pets at home—and often visiting her grandmother’s cats, Sylvester and Bonnie—she began shadowing a local veterinarian in eighth grade, setting her path in motion. She earned her undergraduate degree from Freed-Hardeman University in 2015 and her veterinary degree from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Tyler has a strong interest in internal medicine and ophthalmology and finds the greatest reward in seeing her patients recover and thrive. She credits her success to the support of her husband, family, and her late dog Sherlock, whose memory remains close to her heart. Dr. Tyler lives in Mt. Juliet with her husband Dylan, their daughter Emory, and two cats, Leo and Orbit. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cross-stitching, and crafting.
 

Dr. Kristina Knarr, DVM
Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Knarr grew up in St. Charles, MO. She has  always loved animals, and this comes from her mom as she fostered many cats in their home growing up. She spent 4 years in Hawaii while earning her bachelor's degree in marine biology from Hawaii Pacific University. During undergrad she volunteered at an animal hospital on the weekends and found her passion in veterinary medicine. Dr. Knarr worked as a veterinary assistant for 2 years in between undergrad and vet school to gain valuable experience. She moved to East TN for veterinary school and received her DVM from Lincoln Memorial University. After graduation she moved to Mt Juliet with her boyfriend, their 2 dogs, 2 cats, and leopard gecko. Dr. Knarr's professional interests include soft tissue surgery, dermatology, feline medicine, and preventative care. She loves to spend time outside and enjoys hiking and kayaking. She also loves dog sports and competes in FastCAT with her Doberman, Kona. She is so excited to join the team at Avenue and is looking forward to meeting future clients and providing compassionate care for the beloved pets in our community!

Dr. Kristen Kohler, DVM
Associate Veterinarian

Born in Montana and raised in Wisconsin, Dr. Kristen Kohler now calls Winchester, TN home. Her passion for veterinary medicine began at age five, after witnessing a veterinarian care for a mare and foal on a local ranch. From that moment, her life has centered on animal care. Dr. Kohler earned her bachelor’s in animal science with a minor in Chemistry from Berry College, then completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Ross University in 2011. Her professional interests include internal medicine and dentistry. She’s excited to be part of the Avenue Animal Hospital team and looks forward to getting to know clients and their pets. Outside the clinic, Dr. Kohler enjoys traveling, hiking, wildlife photography, and knitting. She lives with her 14-year-old cat, Leeu, whom she adopted during veterinary school in St. Kitts.

Linda
Practice Manager

With over 18 years of experience in the veterinary industry, Linda became part of the Avenue Animal Hospital family in September 2016. Her connection with Dr. Harris goes back to 2006, when they first worked together at another local clinic. Their longtime friendship made the opportunity to reunite professionally especially meaningful. Linda began as one of our receptionists and now serves as Practice Manager, keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly so our doctors and staff can focus on what matters most—patient care. She values the lasting relationships she builds with our clients and their pets. Outside of work, Linda loves spending time with her six grandchildren, who are her pride and joy. She and her husband Darrell enjoy traveling, relaxing on the lake, and quiet moments with a good book. At home, they share life with their Chihuahua, Charlie.

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Margie
​Lead Receptionist

​​Margie joined our team in October 2018, bringing over 20 years of experience in animal care. With a background as both a veterinary technician and receptionist, and a degree in Animal Science, she brings deep knowledge and a lifelong passion for animals to everything she does. Margie thrives on building strong relationships with both pets and their people. Her warmth and experience make her a valued part of our front desk team. She and her husband Tony live in Lebanon, TN, and cherish time with their four grandchildren—Blakely Grace, Presley Kate, Walker Ray, and Weston Ryder. At home, Margie is surrounded by her own furry family: two dogs and five cats.

Kenna
Receptionist

Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Kenna has 8+ years of experience in animal care and graduated with a Bachelor's in Horse Science at MTSU. She grew up with dogs and cats and spent summers horseback riding with her family in Illinois. She is very passionate about the humane and compassionate care of all companion animals and believes each and every pet makes irreplicable differences in the lives of those around them. Kenna has dogs, cats, and reptiles that she loves and cares for at home and has a huge passion for all living creatures and the outdoors. Outside the clinic, you can find her fishing, birdwatching, horseback riding, hiking, antiquing, or taking her dog, Strider, for walks around the lake. She is very much looking forward to building relationships with our clients and pets and is grateful for her place at the Avenue front desk. 

Ashtyn
Receptionist

BIO COMING SOON!

Kylie
​Receptionist

Kylie joined our team in September 2024, bringing over 10 years of experience in the veterinary field. We are very excited that Kylie is a part of our Avenue team.  She is passionate about building strong relationships with both clients and their pets, which is a key part of what she loves about her work. 
In 2023, Kylie and her family made the move to Nashville, where they now live with their three pets: Maeve, Nemo, and Miss Priss. Outside of work, Kylie enjoys reading and is always on the lookout for great book recommendations.

Kasey - Licensed
Veterinary Technician

Born and raised in Gladeville, Kasey is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and a proud graduate of the Vol State Vet Tech Program, where she also served as president. Her passion for animals runs deep, and her compassion is felt by everyone around her. Kasey says she’s living her dream as a veterinary technician, and we’re lucky to have her on our team. She shares her home with six pets—Yota, Chevy, Jackson, Delilah, Daniel, and Gilbert—and loves taking her dog to the lake, biking, hiking, and exploring new places. Above all, Kasey’s proudest role is being mom to her sweet two-year-old son, Henry.

Tracie
​Veterinary Assistant

Tracie joined Avenue Animal Hospital in October 2018, bringing over 30 years of experience in the veterinary field. For her, this work isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. She’s especially passionate about fear-free handling and caring for senior pets, always striving to make every animal feel safe and loved.
Tracie is a valued part of our team, known for her deep compassion and expertise. She’s married to her husband Keith and has two children. At home, she cares for six pets: four cats, a Golden Retriever, and an Irish Setter.
In her free time, Tracie enjoys riding motorcycles with Keith and cheering for the Crimson Tide.

Keri - Licensed
Veterinary Technician

 Keri joined Avenue Animal Hospital in February 2020, eager to be part of a team dedicated to helping pets live their best lives. She has a strong passion for veterinary care, with a special focus on special needs animals—a calling inspired by her own beloved pet who requires extra attention.
Keri is also a proud mom to her two-year-old son, Walker, who brings joy to her every day. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, crocheting, needlepoint, and spending time with her family. She’s grateful to be part of the Avenue family and continues to grow in her role.
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Staci - Lead Veterinary Technician   

​       ​Staci began working with Dr. Harris in 2009 as a kennel technician and worked her way up to lead technician. She became a Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT) in 2016 after graduating from Vol State’s veterinary technology program. She’s passionate about senior pet care, critical care, and educating pet owners. A strong advocate for rescue animals, Staci shares her home with seven dogs. Originally 
​from Mt. Juliet, she now lives in Gladeville with her husband and their two sons, Jacob and Eston. When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find her cheering on her boys at the ball field.

Stasha
Licensed Veterinary Technician

Stasha has always had a deep love for animals and knew early on that she wanted to care for them. She earned her bachelor’s degree in agriculture from UT Martin in 2018 and went on to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Since then, she’s been dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient she sees. She lives in Lebanon, TN with her husband and their two beloved dogs. In her free time, Stasha enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and leading Paws & Praise, a pet parent support group at her local church. Stasha is proud to be able to make a difference in the lives of pets and their families.

Rhett Butler
​In Memoriam

Rhett Butler was a part of Dr. Harris' family since 2006 and also a part of each person's life that has ever worked at Avenue Animal Hospital. He was always up front and greeted everyone that came through our doors with his spunkiness and wonderful personality. When he wasn't saying hello to you or laying on the keyboard while helping our receptionist's out, then you could find him walking around the hospital taking care of our technicians. Sadly, due to his health conditions, we had to say goodbye to this precious baby in January 2019.    

Aubrey
Licensed Veterinary
​Technician

Born and raised in Mt Juliet, Aubrey
 graduated from Mt. Juliet High in 2011 and earned her degree from Volunteer State in 2016. She became a Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician in 2019.
Her journey began in 2014 when she shadowed Dr. Harris at Avenue Animal Hospital, later completing her clinical rotations there. With nearly 12 years in
the field, Aubrey has a passion for emergency care, surgery—especially
dental procedures—and clinical pathology. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, fostering kittens, concerts, and cheering on the Titans, Gators, and Predators. She lives with her husband, Danny, and their three pets: Rajha, Draco, and Pongo.

Jennifer
​Groomer

Jennifer joined Avenue Animal Hospital in 2013, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the veterinary field. Known for
her attention to detail and commitment to excellence, she’s built strong, lasting relationships with clients—some of whom travel over two hours just to see her.
 Jennifer is a true perfectionist who takes pride in providing top-notch care. Her calm, confident approach makes her a natural with pets, and she treats every patient with the same care and attention she’d give her own.  Her dedication, precision, and compassion makes Jennifer an
invaluable part of our team.

Ava-Nu
​In Memoriam

​Ava was part of Avenue Animal Hospital since opening in 2012. She was the official greeter of the practice and when she was not walking around helping the technicians in the back, you could find her sleeping in her favorite window sill. Sadly, due to age and a returning tumor, the doctors and staff at Avenue decided to lay Ava to rest in September 2017.

Trinity
​Veterinary Assistant

BIO COMING SOON!!

Athena
​In Memoriam

 This precious girl technically belonged to Staci, our Head technician, who was lucky to have been her momma for 14 years. Athena was here to greet our clients and patients each and every day. Her sass, spunk and overall personality made you fall in love with her from the minute you met her.  She was the Queen of the clinic and did her job well. Her favorite things were snacks and bossing people around.  We all loved her so much and will miss her dearly. She will forever be in our hearts. 1/12/2024​

Amanda
Veterinary Assistant

Amanda grew up on a farm surrounded by cattle and horses, where her love for caring for animals began at an early age. Over the years, that passion has extended to all kinds of pets—from cats and dogs to rabbits and hamsters. Today, she shares her home with a lively group that includes her dog, three cats, reptiles, as well as chickens and quail. Outside of caring for animals, Amanda enjoys spending her time reading and working on a variety of crafts. Her lifelong dedication to animals and her creative spirit makes her a valued part of the team.

Rusty

Crusty Rusty came to Avenue Animal Hospital originally for his routine neuter and to take a look at a bad neck laceration. Following his surgeries, Rusty was hospitalized with us for two months, where the entire hospital staff soon fell in love with his big, grumpy face. Following is recovery, he returned to the shelter. Our own Dr. Erkman adopted Rusty and has been officially named Dr. Crusty Rusty Erkman by the hospital staff. Although he is Dr. Erkman's cat on record, the entire hospital will say that he is everyone's cat. He rules the clinic and looks for anyone that may give him his favorite treats.