Veterinary Assistants and Technicians
Brandy D.
Lead Veterinarian Assistant
Jessyca G.
Veterinarian Assistant
Cathy S.
Veterinarian Assistant
Wendy M.
Veterinarian Assistant
Taylor P.
Veterinarian Assistant
Melissa W.
Veterinarian Assistant
Lead Veterinarian Assistant
Veterinarian Assistant
Veterinarian Assistant
Veterinarian Assistant
Veterinarian Assistant
Veterinarian Assistant
Dr. James Murray was born in Yorktown, VA and studied biochemistry and animal sciences at Virginia Tech. He was then accepted into the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2015. During his years in veterinary school, he focused his studies in small animal medicine with a particular interest in dentistry and orthopedics. He also completed a two month study abroad program in India focusing on zoonotic diseases and parasitology, along with working with elephants. He is an active member with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology (AAVD). As an avid dog lover, he adopted a beagle mix named Minnie during his first year of veterinary school. They actively train in agility and enjoy long trail runs together. Besides spending time with his dog, he also enjoys golfing, tennis, ice hockey, and playing board games. Both of Dr. Murray’s parents are human physical therapists, his brother Scott is currently studying at Concordia University in Minnesota, and his wife Chelsea is also a veterinarian practicing with both farm and companion animals.
Associate since 2019
Dr. Chelsea Landa was introduced to the world of veterinary medicine as a young girl as she followed her father, an equine veterinarian, around. She deeply admired his skill in caring for ill animals and helping their owners. Along her path to becoming a veterinarian, she first completed a master’s degree in researching the effects of weaning strategies on cattle immune systems at Virginia Tech. Following her master’s, she attended Virginia Tech for veterinary school, where she focused her studies on both small and large animal medicine and surgery. She has enjoyed the variety that veterinary medicine has to offer, and the ability it brings to help people care for their beloved pets. In her job, she enjoys developing relationships with pet owners and helping them to provide their pets with an improved quality of life and longer lifespan through preventive medicine, surgical interventions, and detection and management of underlying diseases.
Dr. Landa met her husband, Dr. Murray, during veterinary school, and together they have a beautiful daughter named Meredith. Their fur family includes two cats named Rafiki and Freya, who have both been with Dr. Landa since before vet school, and hold a very special place in her heart. She also used to have horses in her life, and hopes to have more of them soon. In her spare time, she loves hiking with her family, eating delicious food, and going to the beach. She also hopes to get back into reining, a western style of horseback riding. Most of all, reading a good book on the beach surrounded by her family is her happiest place to be.
Associate since 2021
Dr. Sheppard earned her DVM from North Carolina State University in 2021. She is also Fear Free Certified and in the process of obtaining her acupuncture certification with Chi University. Growing up, she always loved animals, but never planned on being a veterinarian. After graduating college, she realized that working with animals was her passion. Dr. Sheppard started working at a small animal clinic and fell in love with general practice medicine, and the relationships she created with her patients and their owners. Becoming a veterinarian has been Dr. Sheppard’s greatest accomplishment so far, and she finds it very rewarding to work with fearful patients and help them feel more comfortable at the hospital.
Dr. Sheppard and her partner have 3 dogs; Charm (hound mix), Mouse (Boxer mix), and Nickel (Boxer mix), and an orange tabby named Sam. Some of Dr. Sheppard’s hobbies include doing anything outdoors, including hiking, gardening, and kayaking.
Team Member since 2013
Miranda attended Vance-Granville Community College as a high school student, and graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Cedar Valley College. In February 2019, Miranda passed the North Carolina State Board Exam and is a Registered Veterinary Technician. Miranda has been interested in the field of animal care since she went to her grandfather’s animal hospital as a child. She loves animals and enjoys providing care for them. Miranda is a Fear Free certified professional, she has fostered over 20 dogs and helped them find loving homes, and she has earned the Gold Status Presidential Community Service Award. Miranda is proud to be part of our team – which she considers to be her second family – and she loves getting to know our clients and their pets.
Team Member since 2014
Jane has been with Heartwood Animal Hospital since June, 2014. She has lived in Wake Forest, NC for 20+ years. Jane is married with one child and two grandsons. She enjoys spending time with her family during her spare time.
Team Member since 2021
Amy has loved animals her whole life and has worked in the pet care industry for more than 15 years. The most rewarding thing Amy finds about her role is getting to know pets, their owners, and helping to enrich their lives. Amy is blessed with an amazing ‘bonus’ son, Jamie. His father Chris and Amy have been together for 23 years. Amy absolutely loves anything her mother cooks.
Heather has been a veterinary receptionist for 25 years. She enjoys connecting with people and helping animals. Heather is a California transplant, loving the NC life and wonderful people. She has an amazing husband named Erik and she absolutely loves action movies and any book by Debbie Macomber.
Katie grew up on a dairy farm, working with cows, horses, dogs, cats, and rabbits. She loves animals and caring for them which inspired her to seek out a career in the veterinary field, becoming a veterinary receptionist. The most rewarding part of her career is connecting with pet owners and helping in their pet’s care.
Katie earned an Associates Degree in Accounting from SUNY Orange NY and a Bachelors in Business Administration from SNHU.
Katie’s greatest accomplishment is her kids. Some of the things she enjoys are riding horses, spending time with family, and camping. She absolutely loves horses and dogs, especially boxers!
Team Member since 2015
Brandy graduated from Wake Tech with her Medical Office Administration Degree. She has always loved animals and worked at a kennel for a few years, but wanted to get more into the medical aspect, with the animals.
Team Member since 2017
Jessyca chose a career veterinary medicine because helping animals has always been a passion of hers. She enjoys working with people as well as taking care of their fur babies, and loves being part of such an amazing team.
Team Member since 2019
Cathy has an associate degree in business management and human resources which helps her adapt to any situation! She relocated from Virginia to North Carolina for her husband’s job and stayed busy the first year at home with her daughter, stepson, and granddaughter… and lots of foster animals!
Cathy then decided to return to work in a field she was passionate about. She started part-time in a kennel and then was trained as a vet assistant before coming to Heartwood. In her current role, she finds it so rewarding getting to know the clients and their pets, and becoming a part of their family. She loves being able to provide pets and their people with the best possible care and information to keep their pets health for as long as possible. Her goal is to continue to grow as a vet assistant and obtain as much knowledge as she can while doing what she loves!
Since moving to North Carolina, Cathy and her family have adopted two of their fosters: Miley, a hairless Chinese Crest and Raider, a Boxer mix. They also have Harley, a 3-legged guinea pig, thanks to Heartwoods’ amazing doctors. In her spare time, Cathy enjoys being with her family, volunteering at shelters, and fostering for rescues. She also loves arts and crafts!
Wendy graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from UNCG and an a Associate’s degree in Zoo Science Technology.
She volunteered as docent at the Greensboro Science Center after college, because she always knew she wanted to work with animals. After that she got her degree in Zoo Science and worked as an intern at the zoo with polar bears, seals, sea lions, sea birds and various reptiles, before working in their education department. She later started a job at a non profit taking care of farm animals, small mammals, and reptiles. Post pandemic she wanted to explore the medical side of animal care, which lead her to Heartwood.
Team member since 2023
Ever since Taylor was a kid she has always felt a special bond with animals. When it was time to figure out what she wanted to go to college for, she knew it would have something to do with animals. All she has ever wanted to do was help animals. Taylor earned her Veterinary Medical Technology Associates Degree from Nash Community College & Veterinary Assistant Certificate.
The most rewarding part of her career is being able to be there for so many animals and provide them with love and comfort while they get the veterinary care they need. She believes we are every animal’s voice, so she is glad she is able to help them in any way.
Outside of work Taylor loves to travel and spend time with family, she absolutely loves being an aunt! Her nieces and nephews are her whole heart! Taylor also has 2 orange tabbies, Gene and Tigger.
Melissa began her career at a doggie daycare, where she discovered her passion for pets and forming meaningful relationships. This inspired her to explore the medical side of pet care. With 9 years of experience in veterinary hospitals, she thrives on learning from her colleagues and continually educating herself. Melissa takes great joy in sharing her knowledge with the wonderful pet owners she meets.