Our Staff

Doctor

Dr. Randy Wetzel

From Pittsburgh, PA, and a family of six, Randy graduated from Northland College in Ashland, WI. After receiving a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry, he went on to study at the University of TN College of Veterinary Medicine. His first year as a graduate was spent in small animal general practice. He has since focused on emergency medicine and has been one of the overnight doctors at REACH since 2000. His interests include biking, backpacking, and environmental issues. A compassionate and skilled doctor, Randy is an asset to the REACH team and a mentor for technical staff members. His motto is "Work hard, play hard, and never, never, never, never give up." (Winston Churchill)

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Dr. Michael Jackson

I am a 1973 graduate of Michigan State University. The past 27 years of my career were spent operating a small animal practice in central Michigan. With the last of my two children finishing school and out of the house this year, my wife and I decided it was time to make a lifestyle change so the practice was sold, the summer was spent traveling throughout the country, and we settled into the Asheville area. Emergency medicine is not entirely new for me in that for many years all the after hour calls in my local area were covered by a rotation system among the five clinics in town. However, my first love for an after hour emergency medical facility came with the opening of an after hour clinic in a nearby town. I fell in love with that facility – SOMEONE ELSE WAS STAYING UP ALL NIGHT DOING IT! We picked Asheville to live because of many things – the outdoor recreation opportunities, the climate, the mountains, and the culture to list the obvious. I sold my practice, house, and yes even the snow blower and here I am looking forward to staying up all night performing emergency medicine as well.
Dr. Katie Gibson

I am a 2006 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. After graduating from vet school, I spent a year doing a rotating small animal internship at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Greensboro, NC. This is where I developed my love of emergency medicine and surgery. After my internship I went into general practice where I saw both small animals and exotics. My husband and I were both eager to return to the mountains where we first met while I attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville for my undergraduate degree. This is how I found myself back in beautiful Asheville, NC working at R.E.A.C.H. R.E.A.C.H. is exactly the kind of hospital I was looking for! I have 3 dogs, 3 cats, a reef tank, and about 50 dart frogs (which are non-toxic) that keep me entertained while I'm not working. I also enjoy running with my dogs, kayaking, hiking, swimming, and eating good food.
Jeff Johansson

I am a graduate of the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. After my veterinary degree, I completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Washington State University. I enjoyed life in the northwest, but found myself longing for family, friends, and the natural beauty of the southeast. In 2001, I took a position as an associate veterinarian at an emergency hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, and have since been focused on emergency medicine and critical care. In 2007, my wife and I relocated to Asheville, and I have been part of the REACH of Asheville team since January 2007.

In my spare time, I enjoy writing and playing music, reading, traveling, and being outdoors. I am an avid enthusiast of blues music and how the music of the South has had such a profound influence on world music and history. I have traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe and spent two years in southern Sweden, studying Swedish language and culture.

Emergency medicine is many things – it can be fast-paced or slow on any given night, some cases can challenge every bit of knowledge gained over the years and still end in frustration, others can be more straightforward and ‘by the book,’ but no two animals are ever the same, and every night is a different set of challenges. I never tire of the ability to serve animals and owners in a time of great need, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with so many talented and compassionate people.

Management

Mrs. Rhonda Eyman

As the Practice Manager at R.E.A.C.H., Rhonda handles hospital operations, finances, human resources, and client communications. Publisher of the in-house newsletter, Perspectives, the client newsletter, R.E.A.C.H. Out, and a publication aimed at area veterinarians, The R.E.A.C.H. Report, Rhonda is dedicated to education and communication within the veterinary and local communities. A long-time animal welfare advocate with a background in emergency medicine and teaching, she has been with R.E.A.C.H. since its inception and is dedicated to quality care with compassion. A proud mother of two lovely little daughters, she lives in Marshall on a small farm with many wonderful animals including donkeys, jacob sheep and goats.

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Mrs. Christy B Reeves

As Operations Manager at R.E.A.C.H., I am responsible for maintaining inventory and regulating quality standards throughout the hospital. Some of my other duties include, but are not limited to, accounts payable, accounts receivable, employee accounts and pet insurance, DVM and staff scheduling, area hospital accounts, equipment maintenance, miscellaneous hospital paperwork, dosimetry, OSHA and other regulatory compliance. I work very closely with the Practice Manager and Medical Director to insure that our hospital offers quality care to our patients and their owners. I began working for R.E.A.C.H. in June of 2000 as a veterinary assistant, slowly adding on responsibilities every few months. I am not involved with patient care any longer, which I do miss, but I am very content with my current position. I have watched R.E.A.C.H. change in many ways and I am very proud of our hospital.

My love for animals and medicine began on my family's dairy farm when I was just a baby. As soon as I was old enough I was helping out in every way that I could. I was involved in all aspects of the dairy business and gained a vast knowledge of animal management. One thing I enjoyed the most was the herd pregnancy checks. I just knew that I wanted to be a vet some day. During high school and college I worked at a couple of area vet clinics where I broadened my knowledge of veterinary medicine. I attended NC State University where I graduated with a BS in Animal Science and a minor in Nutrition. I had planned on attending vet school but my plans changed when I was blessed with my wonderful son. My husband, son, and I moved back to Leicester to live on the family farm where we enjoy spending time with our dogs and beef cattle. I have thoroughly enjoyed working at R.E.A.C.H. and am very thankful to be where I am today. I look forward to growing with R.E.A.C.H. and to serving our community here in Western North Carolina.
Darcie Keyes , Supervisor

Hello, I'm the supervisor here at R.E.A.C.H. I came to North Carolina from Boston, Mass. where I worked at a 25 doctor emergency/surgical referral specialty hospital. I loved my job but I am not a city girl! I have always loved visiting North Carolina so I decided to see what it's like to live down here. I was blessed to find R.E.A.C.H. and the city of Asheville.

Originally I'm from Maine and for the first 7 years of my career as a veterinary technician, I worked in a day practice as a surgery tech. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It was there that I grew as a technician. I give all the credit to Dr. Miles and Darby. Their influence and mentorship is why I'm the tech that I am today. During that time I also worked at the local emergency clinic as a part time gig. That experience changed the direction of my career and I decided that emergency medicine was where I needed to be. It was hard to leave Dr. Miles, but I needed to follow my heart. So, I ended up in Boston. It was an exciting adventure to work in Boston. It was a large and fast paced environment that I loved. I eventually worked my way up to assistant supervisor of the emergency department. It was also a great experience for my career but I had to get back to the country. Asheville is absolutely beautiful and I feel I have finally found my place in life here. I look forward to growing with the R.E.A.C.H. team.

Technician

Brett Frost

I am a very free spirited person who has been working in the animal field for most of my life. I have, previous to my employment at R.E.A.C.H., worked at 2 small animal day clinics, one other emergency hospital, a non-profit, no kill shelter and also worked in Connecticut as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the R.E.A.C.H. team and enjoy being able to help those animals that need it most. Besides being an exciting work environment, I must say that I work with some of the most amazing people that I have ever had the opportunity to meet!

In my spare time, I can be found spending a lot of time outside with friends, going to various music concerts/events and doing all sorts of artwork. I have lived in Asheville (this time) for about 3 years and love it here! I originally came from Connecticut to Asheville in 1999, when I attended Warren Wilson College and was enrolled in the pre-vet program.

Paul Rushton

I was born and raised in Mississippi and have been brought up with a huge medical influence with my father being a surgeon. That influence, along with my love of animals, has steered me and my education towards the veterinary world. I graduated from the College of Charleston in 2000 with a B.S. in Biology with Pre-Vet emphasis; I have since continued my educational efforts elsewhere. Veterinary medicine has always been a huge part of my life. I started volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center for some experience. I then acquired a job at a vet hospital in Charleston, SC working in the kennels while still in school and then moving my way up to assistant and then technician. I’ve been in the field since 1998 and have been challenged throughout the years to advance myself. I moved to Asheville in 2002 to work in a couple of vet hospitals until I joined the REACH team in 2004 and have had some great experiences throughout my time here. Everyday is a new experience and when you think you’ve seen it all, BAM! You’ve got something you’ve never seen and it may even be pretty bizarre. Yet the reward comes from seeing a positive result of what our team has done to aid the well-being of an animal as well as that animal’s people, even if it’s simply eliminating the pain which is what I believe is our primary goal as veterinary caregivers.

As for life outside REACH I have two dogs of my own, Zandt and Emmylou. They go most everywhere with me and have taught me that getting rid of dog hair is a lost cause; it’s always going to show up on your clothes and other things as well. I’m what you could call a “hardcore” whitewater addict. I love to hurl myself off waterfalls in my kayak. I love camping, spending time outdoors, nights on the town, and anything having to do with music whether it is playing it, listening to it, or writing it. I’m laid back person who loves most things peaceful. With all things in life I feel it’s important to look at the good things, both simple and elaborate, and just savor it!.

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Reception

Joshua Riendeau

My name is Josh and I laugh more than I probably should. Keeping life as simple as possible, seeing happy people, noticing the things most people overlook, working hard...are just a few things I enjoy about my life. Hiking or just being outside is where I'm most at peace, but I'm usually pretty comfortable just about anywhere. I love meeting new people. People to me are like textbooks, full of information and undiscovered knowledge, helping me better understand myself and the world I live in. Animals have always brought peace and happiness to my life, so being able to work so close with them has been an amazing blessing. A pet's love and devotion to their owner is an indescribably awesome feeling.

I recently adopted a little puppy named Ayden, and I look forward to learning from him as I help him grow into a well-mannered adult. R.E.A.C.H.'s amazing staff is extremely knowledgeable and compassionate and as the Client Services Trainer, I consider myself privileged to be part of the hospital's team. I look forward to seeing what great things R.E.A.C.H. has in store for me and the community we live in. I'm thankful there is a place like R.E.A.C.H. that can give reassurance to our pet's safety and well-being. I would also like to thank the W.N.C. community for allowing R.E.A.C.H. to be able to serve you with your pet's needs. I wish everyone and their pets good health and strength in 2008.

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