Meet Our Veterinary Team
Meet the veterinarians and team at Mills River Animal Clinic. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets.
Get to know our team
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care. We look forward to getting to know you, and we hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Our DVMs
Our vets at Mills River Animal Clinic are here for you and your pet to provide the best care possible. Committed to ongoing professional development, our team participates in continuing education both within the clinic and at industry conferences, ensuring that we offer the latest advancements in veterinary medicine. Whether it’s an emergency or a new puppy, our doctors are excited to serve you and your pet.
Dr. Lorch
Associate Veterinarian | Exotics
Education
Bachelor’s Degree: Florida State University
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine: Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Special Interests
Companion Animal and Pocket Pet Preventative Medicine and Soft Tissue Surgery
Bio
Dr. Kaley was born in Orlando, Florida and moved to Western North Carolina in 2013 in order to enjoy all FOUR seasons and spend more time outdoors.
Dr. Kaley’s husband and her have 2 kids, and four fur babies, Zoey, Eloise, Noodle and Josh. In her free time, Dr. Lorch enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and trail running. She also enjoys reading, cooking, and making Halloween costumes for her children.
Dr. Butler-Perez
Associate Veterinarian | Exotics
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science: Louisiana Tech University, 2017
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine: LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, 2020
Special Interests
Exotic Mammal & Reptile Medicine | Surgery
Bio
Dr. Karina was born in Puerto Rico but raised between there and Louisiana.
After graduating, she completed a rotating small animal internship and then an exotic animal internship in Florida. She then moved to North Carolina to practice medicine because of a love for the outdoors and nature.
She currently lives with her fiance, cat (Indy), dog (Lola), and pet snake (Cheesecake). In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and playing video games.
Dr. Carrie Arnett
Bio
Dr. Carrie Arnett is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. She studied veterinary medicine on Prince Edward Island and practiced in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and South Carolina before moving to Asheville with her family. Dr. Arnett loves reading, creative writing and hiking. Her animal family includes two dogs, a cat and a California king snake.
Licensed Nurses
At Mills River Animal Clinic, our team of licensed nurses are here to serve you and your pet. They are educated in anesthesia, chronic diseases, wellness, CPR, dentistry, and more. They also maintain their yearly licensing through continuing education just like our doctors.
Vanessa
Vanessa lived in WNC most of her life. She graduated from AB-Technical College and earned her RVT license in 2009, but has been working in veterinary medicine since 2007. She has been part of the MRAC team since 2012.
She currently has 6 spoiled rotten kitties that keep her busy.
Caroline
Caroline has worked in the veterinary field for over a decade, but has been an animal lover since childhood. She earned her RVT in 2015 and has worked as a veterinary technician in emergency medicine and general practice.
She joined Mills River in 2022, and loves working as a team with doctors and staff to give the best patient care possible. Taking care of animals is a true labor of love for her.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Maybe, and her cat, Slinky. She also likes to read, write, and hike.
Client Services
The Mills River Animal Clinic Client Service Team is here to serve your every need. They work hard to provide clear communication with our clients so they feel confident in the care they are getting, regardless of it they are just here for a nail trim, wellness vist or have a medical emergency.
Elaine
Family Practice Reception
Bio coming soon…
Support Team
The Mills River Animal Clinic Support Team is comprised of amazingly compassionate people who support our Licensed Vet Techs and Doctors every day. The take part in all our in house continuing education events as well so they stay up to date on all the best medicine.
Barbara
Family Practice Assistant
Bio coming soon…
Chelsea
Chelsea comes to us with over 4 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She cannot imagine any other career path for herself and absolutely loves what she does.
She has 2 furr babies, Koda and Basil, that you will likely see by her side where ever she goes. She also recently got married to the love of her life.
Kristen
Kristen has been a member of the MRAC family since 2013. She was born and raised in the beautiful mountains of WNC, but specifically here in Mills River. She has two children, and daughter and son that fill her life with various sports and even more love.
She also has three dogs. Tucker is a dachshund mix rescued as a puppy after first joining the team MRAC. And if you see her out and about you will probably see one or both of her Bermese Moutain Dogs by her side; Moose and Bear.
Leadership Team
Dr. Michelle
Education
Bachelor’s Degree In Biology: University of Central Florida, 2006
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine: Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, 2010
Special Interests
Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Ultrasonography
Bio
Dr. Michelle is from Melbourne, Florida and developed a love for animals at an early age. She started her career as a Veterinary Nurse. While in veterinary school, Dr. Michelle helped to begin a therapy program for a local Veterans Hospital and participated in rotating internship program with Mississippi State University. She also has been published in the AJVR (American Journal of Veterinary Research) for her work with transfusion medicine.
Outside of work Dr. Michelle enjoys learning to play tennis and ball room dancing with her husband, Eric. She also has 3 furry family members.
Stephanie, RVT
Education
Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Medical Technology: Asheville-Buncombe Technical College, 2010.
Special Interests
Client & Patient Relationships, Staff Training
Bio
Stephanie was born and raised in Western North Carolina. Since starting her veterinary career in 2008 she has worked in many fields including: large animal medicine, zoo medicine, emergency medicine, and general practice.