Our Team

Greta Ivey
Greta is a valued veteran employee of Roanoke Animal Hospital beginning her veterinary career with Dr. Ricks in 1994.  Over the years, Greta has been promoted to the position of Technician Team Supervisor.  Greta and her team are responsible for taking medical histories of the patients, samples for lab testing, radiographs, doing dental procedures, and assisting with surgeries.  Greta also serves as Dr. Ricks’ orthopedic surgical assistant and assists in soft tissue surgeries.  In 2000, Greta was named Technician of the Year among southeast veterinary hospitals and, after two years of extensive continuing education, received her certification as a veterinary technician assistant.  She serves as the hospital purchasing agent making sure the hospital is always stocked with necessary medical and surgical supplies.

Through her job, Greta has developed a great love for Jack Russell Terriers.  In her own words, she “likes things chaotic.”  For that reason, her newest Jack Russell is named Chaos.  In addition to him, she also has two other Jack Russells; a 6 year old, Chevy, and an 10 year old, Chanz.

Outside of the hospital, Greta has a son, Brandon, who is currently attending Halifax Community College.  She also likes to spend time working at “Beverlyz,” her sister’s unique shop, where she finds making designer wreaths relaxing.

Heather Patterson
Heather has been with Roanoke Animal Hospital since 1997.  She is a graduate of Halifax Community College with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science.  Heather also received certification as a veterinary technical assistant.  She is the Lab Supervisor.  In her own words, “I love my career.  It’s never the same.  My job has many varieties in what occurs, from calm-cuddly pets to 911 surgeries and situations.  I really love to come to work each day.”  At times, Dr. Ricks affectionately enjoys referring to Heather as “Sarge” because when a task needs to be addressed or an emergency arises with a patient, Heather is a natural leader.

Heather has a 18 year old daughter named Meagan who is attending Halifax Community College; a dog named Trouble; and 2 cats, Wiggles and Catfish.

Anne Widell, RVT
Anne is a Registered Veterinary Technician, who has been with the hospital since October 2005.  She has a very responsible position as Hospital Safety Coordinator.  Anne graduated from the Northern Virginia Community College Veterinary Technician Program in May 2005.  While in school she worked full time and was mentored at a veterinary hospital in Virginia Beach.  Prior to that she worked and volunteered at the Virginia Beach SPCA.  

Anne feels fortunate to have moved here, where she can now personally care for her two aging horses and has satisfied her childhood dreams of becoming either a veterinarian or a farmer.  She has been an equestrian for 27 years and has had a keen interest in all animals her entire life. Anne and her husband, Pete, enjoy caring for their dogs, horses, chickens, guineas, and a challenging, but exceptionally fun, goat herd.  Gromet, their Chesapeake Bay retriever who recently passed, is pictured here.  The Widdells have two children.

Beth King
Beth has been employeed at Roanoke Animal Hospital since August 2004.  Before joining the hospital staff, she had an additional four years of experience in the veterinary field.  She enjoys being able to give back to her community by helping to care for local pets.  Beth is the owner of two American Staffordshire Terriers –  Cujo and Princess.  In addition to her two dogs, Beth also has a cat, Nugget, and a blue fronted Amazon parrot at home.  She is shown here with Mikey who has recently passed.

Beth is married to a Roanoke Rapids native and is the very proud mother of five children and three grandchildren.  When she has a day off, Beth enjoys the outdoors.  She loves hiking, camping, horseback riding, and traveling with her family.

                                                                                                                                       Kristina Hubbard                                                                                                        Kristina has been with Roanoke Animal Hospital since 2000. When she first came to the hospital, Kristina began as a kennel assistant. She was then promoted to the Assistant Team Supervisor.  Later, through hard work, study, and determination, she became a certified veterinary technical assistant.  Through her job at Roanoke Animal Hospital, she has the pleasant opportunity to work with both people and pets.  She also enjoys teaching pet owners how to take the very best care of their pets. 

Kristina is the proud owner of two pets: Ace and Daizee Mae. Kristina’s dogs are both American Staffordshire Terriers.  Daizee Mae was rescued by Kristina when she was just a five week-old pup.  Both dogs are faithful and loving companions. Kristina has a history of working with animal rescues.

Kristina and her husband, Jereme, celebrated the birth of their first child, Kaitlyn, in May 2006. She is currently enrolled at Halifax Community College in the nursing program.  After work and studies, Kristina enjoys spending time with her family and going to the lake with them.  Whenever they take a trip to the beach, she loves to drive her husband’s Jeep on the beach. 

Amy Smith:  

In 2004 Amy started her career with the hospital as a kennel assistant and subsequently moved into the receptionist position.  Her ability to learn quickly was impressive and currently she serves as the Receptionist Team Supervisor.  Her job includes many essential responsibilities which allow her to interact with both pets and clients.  Clients love Amy and recognize her sincere concern for their needs.  Dr. Ricks says that one of Amy’s most treasured personality traits is her “sweet smile.”  The receptionist position is the most challenging position in the hospital as Amy and her team have to deal with a multitude of pet care situations.   If a client needs an advocate to represent their pet’s needs, Amy will be the person to seek for help in communicating requests to the hospital.  

Amy has two wonderful children: a son, Alic, and a daughter, Destiny.  She has a cat, Cynder, and two dogs, Carmen and Fabolous (pictured).  Away from the hospital, Amy enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Michelle Britt
As a receptionist at the Roanoke Animal Hospital, Michelle believes her most important duty is to serve the needs of our clients.  Having been with the hospital since 2006, she is continuously learning more about the field of veterinary medicine and the needs of the pets and clients we serve.  Michelle enjoys working with our clients and helping to address all their concerns.  Along with her team, Michelle is responsible for answering the phones, scheduling appointments, keeping track of records, and processing a host of client needs.

Michelle shares the same special affinity for pets that all of our staff manifest. She sincerely regrets that her apartment does not allow her to have a pet of her own.  When she visits home however, she enjoys the company of her dad’s golden retriever, Rustie, pictured here with Michelle.  One day Michelle is certain she will own the chocolate lab she dreams of sharing her home with now. 

Michelle attends Halifax Community College where she is studying to be a dental hygienist.  When she is not at the hospital, Michelle enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Lucy Metcalfe                                                                                                                                          Lucy is the 4th member of our reception staff.  Dr. Ricks is proud to have Lucy on his staff as she has remarkable pet health knowledge and experience.  Dr. Ricks is not reserved in saying Lucy has always been one of his favorite pet owners through the years.  He is quick to point out that Lucy has an understanding of how to serve client needs with excellence.  Lucy was born and raised in the small town of Tarboro, NC.  She attended East Carolina University for three and a half years where she met and later married her husband Bob, a native of Weldon, NC. 
After the birth of their two children, Lucy went back to school at North Carolina Wesleyan in Rocky Mount where she graduated with departmental honors in Early Childhood Education.  Lucy was a stay at home mom except when she enjoyed substitute teaching in Roanoke Rapids city schools and at Halifax Academy.
“My dogs became my second family when my children went off to college”, Lucy says.  At one time Lucy had as many as five – all Vizslas – Maggie, Buck, Riggs, Kate and Savannah.
Lucy’s daughter Amanda now lives in Raleigh where she works with Progress Energy. Her son, Clay and his wife, Meghan live in Selma and Clay is a police officer in Raleigh.  Clay and Meghan have two children, who are Lucy’s pride and joy, Austin who is seven and Erin who is three.  A new grandson is expected in late October.
In her spare time Lucy enjoys scrap booking and dog showing.  In 1992, Bob and Lucy got their first Vizsla, Maggie, who began for Lucy her interest in showing and raising Vizslas.  “The scrap booking just came with the territory “she says.
Today, Lucy and her husband of thirty-seven years live on the Roanoke Rapids Lake with their two dogs, Dillon and Gretchen, who are five year old Vizslas.  Bob works for Halifax Linen and together they attend First United Methodist Church. 

Michele Wilson
Michele has been with Roanoke Animal Hospital since July 1997.  She began as a veterinary assistant and held that position for five years.  Upon completing her groomer certification from Eastern Carolina Pet Grooming in Rocky Mount, she began grooming for the hospital in 2002.  Michele’s natural calm and sweet disposition makes her a natural when grooming pets, even the “wiggly” ones.  Her grooming skills and special affinity for animals make magic happen with every client.

Michele married her husband, Tim, in 2005.  She has a son, Joshua, and two step children, Zach and Cameron.  She has six dogs and four cats (pictured is Peanut, a Jack Russell mix).  Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and pets, attending the many sports events in which her children are involved.