Meet the Team:
We're proud to say that the Mountain View Animal Hospital's Team is one of the best around! We are dedicated to providing the best quality of care for your pets! Here at Mountain View Animal Hospital we understand that your four-legged friends are more than just pets; they are family!
Dr. Derek Lindstrom
Dr. Derek Lindstrom grew up in Greenville, SC and has always had a natural connection with and a love for animals. He graduated with a degree in biology from the University of South Carolina, then went on to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine to obtain his veterinary degree. He completed his clinical year here in North Carolina at NC State.
Dr. Lindstrom started his veterinary career at Ark Animal Clinic in West Virginia, where he cultivated his love for surgery and medicine. He then moved here to Hickory, NC, where he and his wife, Melanie, are proud to call home. Dr. Lindstrom loves all aspects of veterinary medicine, but particularly enjoys soft tissue surgery and dentistry.
In his free time, Dr. Lindstrom enjoys spending time with his wife and their 3 dogs, Mina, Odessa, and Lucia, as well as their 3 cats, Tuck, Eponine, and Arya. He enjoys traveling, fishing, and watching sports--especially the Atlanta Braves, Carolina Panthers, and South Carolina Gamecocks.
Dr. Lindstrom started his veterinary career at Ark Animal Clinic in West Virginia, where he cultivated his love for surgery and medicine. He then moved here to Hickory, NC, where he and his wife, Melanie, are proud to call home. Dr. Lindstrom loves all aspects of veterinary medicine, but particularly enjoys soft tissue surgery and dentistry.
In his free time, Dr. Lindstrom enjoys spending time with his wife and their 3 dogs, Mina, Odessa, and Lucia, as well as their 3 cats, Tuck, Eponine, and Arya. He enjoys traveling, fishing, and watching sports--especially the Atlanta Braves, Carolina Panthers, and South Carolina Gamecocks.
Dr. Brittany Pate
Dr. Brittany Pate graduated with a degree in animal science from the University of Florida, then went on to obtain her veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her clinical year at Auburn University in Alabama. With a heart for service, she flew to Nicaragua on a veterinary mission trip to provide animal medical care to remote and underprivileged communities near the end of her academic career. Originally from Jacksonville Florida, she spent every Christmas family vacation snowboarding in Boone, NC; so, when the opportunity arose, she jumped at the chance to join the Hickory community here in the foothills. From the time she was two, she told her parents she would be a “pet doctor” when she grew up, and she never once looked back. Now, she is proud to live out her lifelong dream of veterinarian as a part of the MVAH team. She and her dog, Zeus, and horse, Reva, enjoy all the natural beauty North Carolina has to offer. You can find her wakeboarding, snowboarding, riding her dirt bike, paddle boarding, or hiking on the weekends. If you spot her enjoying the great outdoors, feel free to give a wave or a hi-five to your fellow nature-lover!
Phyllis Setzer - Receptionist
Phyllis is married with 3 children: 2 sons and 1 daughter. Her granddaughter, who is the light of her life, lives with Phyllis full time. She is a retired teacher with 33 years of teaching experience. Working at MVAH is a perfect fit for Phyllis, as it provides her with two of her favorite things: interacting with the clients and interacting with their pets. Phyllis has four dogs and one cat that really enhances her life. They are very spoiled and loved. Phyllis spends her free time reading and is at the beach whenever possible.
Kaycee Wooten- Receptionist
Kaycee joined Mountain View Animal Hospital in May of 2019. She discovered at a very young age that she wanted to pursue a career working with animals. She was raised on a farm in Iron Station and was involved in many animal related activities. In October of 2015, she married her husband Nate and they started “Painted Creek Farm” in Cherryville, NC. They have dogs, cats, horses, chickens, donkeys, pot bellied pigs, and goats. Together, they raise registered Boer goats and show them at local fairs. In her free time, Kaycee enjoys horseback riding, hiking and camping.
Tiffany Zuleg - Veterinary Assistant
Tiffany graduated from Gaston College in 2014 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Medical Technology. She has been working at MVAH for 6 years. She has 4 dogs -Roscoe, Odie, Trixie, and Reid, 2 cats -Lea and Taco, and 1 horse-CJ, which takes up most of her free time. Her hobbies include horseback riding and relaxing around the house with her family.
Andrea Detweiler- Veterinary Assistant
Andrea first started working as a kennel tech at Mountain View Animal Hospital when she was 16. After leaving for a few years to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University, she chose to return as a technician. Andrea has a beautiful Australian shepherd/ blue heeler mix named Abilene that is the best adventure buddy she could ask for. In her free time she enjoys kayaking, hiking, hanging out with her friends, traveling, art, and design. Her favorite part about working at MVAH is the fun people she gets to work with everyday and loving on the patients.
Tawny Roach - Veterinary Assistant
Tawny has worked with animals for 6 years and absolutely loves animals. She started working at a boarding facility and fell in love with veterinary medicine, which led her to become a tech. She doesn’t just love the animals with fur but all the reptiles too! She has 3 dogs- Puddin, Tesla, Baloo, and 3 cats-Bitsy, Ruby (sphynx), and King Tut (sphynx). When she is not at MVAH she likes to race her dirt bike. She has been racing since she could walk.
Jennifer Cloninger - Veterinary Assistant
Jennifer has 3 cats that are her world-Sophia, Bella, and Bagheera. She would love to adopt a dog, but one of her cats will not allow that. Her hobbies include going to concerts, hanging out with her cats, and going to the beach. She loves working at MVAH because she enjoys seeing all the animals that come through the doors. Having previously worked in the human medical field, she has quickly realized that the veterinary field is where she is meant to be.
Heather McDaniel-Veterinary Assistant
Heather grew up and currently resides in Granite Falls with her husband Ethan and their 9 lovable dogs (Chewie, Bentley, Sparkie, Zeus, Sarge, Clyde, Paige, Kira, and Mr. Gilbert), 3 cats (Leo,Kenny, and Onyx) , and Sugar Glider, Pickle. Heather is passionate about caring for animals and has a strong love for special needs/senior dogs. Shih Tzu’s are her favorite breed, her dream is to adopt one in every color. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her kids (her dogs), hiking, crafting, and party planning. She truly believes: “Animals are angels sent to earth to teach us how to love.”-Whitney Mandel
Kathy Helton - Kennel Technician
Kathy grew up on Greedy Hwy on a farm that raised buffalo. She was lucky enough to have a mother that was a wildlife rehabilitator, so her life has always been filled with the awe and wonder of animals. Kathy has 1 son and 2 beautiful granddaughters, Grayson and Kynleigh. Kathy also has 4 dogs- Brady, Buttons, Crash, and Charlie.