Veterinarian
Dr. Tayloe grew up in the area of North Carolina fondly referred to as Little Washington. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received her undergraduate degrees in Biology and Chemistry. She then attended the N.C. State University College of Veterinary Medicine and received her doctorate in veterinary medicine in 2000. After graduation she practiced for 7 years at Hillsborough Veterinary Clinic until moving to Wilmington, NC in 2007. In the winter of 2007 she joined the veterinary staff at Highsmith Animal Hospital where she enjoys all aspects of practice from surgery and medical diagnostics, geriatric patient care and working with clients to improve the health and well being of their special pets. She is a founder of Coastal Pet Hospice, offering mobile pet hospice consultation and pet euthanasia services.
Veterinarian
Dr. DiPiero grew up in New Bern, NC and attended UNCW for his undergraduate degree. He discovered his passion for veterinary medicine while volunteering with the humane society. Dr. DiPiero is a graduate of the NC State University College of Veterinary medicine. He enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine with special interest in surgery and dentistry. His personal goal is to provide the highest level of compassionate care to all of his patients and ensure that all of his clients feel respected and heard. Outside of the clinic, he enjoys surfing, running, and reading.
Rebecca has been part of the Highsmith team since 2011. She
is originally from Winston- Salem, NC. Rebecca aka Becca started work in the
veterinary field in 1993, graduated from Central Carolina Community College in
1997 with a degree in Veterinary Medical Technology. Prior to Veterinary Medicine she attended Brevard
College in the beautiful NC mountains.
In 2002 she moved to Wilmington, NC and has worked in a few practices in town, while continuing to volunteer with The Turtle Hospital in Topsail, NC, The Serpentarium here in Wilmington, and The NC Aquarium. She enjoys volunteer work and keeping things green. She also enjoys teaching the new students that come in new to Highsmith and watching them grow into amazing team members. We have several pre-vet students that come and go and being part of their journey is amazing. Rebecca also volunteers with the Domestic Violence women’s shelter, The Rape Crisis Center and giving back to the community.
This is her work family and she is very passionate in what she does. Helping the clients and their patients is what she has always loved doing. She has moved over into the Management side of veterinary medicine here at Highsmith AH.
When not working, Becca enjoys spending time with her husband Chris and their friends. Traveling, going to concerts and crazy obstacle races. They have one 4-year-old French Bulldog named "Louie".
Kim . left the corporate world to persue a more fulfilling career working with animals. She started working at Highsmith Animal Hospital over 20 years ago and has been caretaker for over 15 dogs and cats. She currently lives with two Siamese (Pickles Marie and Chili Bean) and two Toy Poodles (Raisin And Peanut). Kim enjoys music, reading and a wide range of physical activities including yoga and running. She is rarely seen without her faithful companion Raisin.
Sue moved to ILM from Smith Mountain Lake, Va. In the fall of 2010. She had worked in real estate and property management for 24 years and was ready for something new.
Her daughter and her family live near the water and it was important to me to live here too. She is originally born in Michigan on Lake Erie.In early 2011 She walked into Highsmith Animal Hospital. While waiting for Dr.Speck, Guppy one of the hospital cats jumped into her lap then climbed into her purse. She knew right then she wanted to be part of this family. The clients and their pets are awesome. There is not a day that goes by that one of the animals doesn’t teach me something about kindness, trust and unconditional love. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her 3 grandchildren, reading, going to the beach and enjoying life!
Her motto: Treat people the way you want to be treated!
Courtney graduated from Bergen Community College in 2012 from the Veterinary Technology program. She moved to Wilmington in 2014 and joined the Highsmith family. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter Kiara and her cats Ella and Doctor Muffin McStuffins.
Anna grew up in Phoenix Arizona and moved here in March 2007, after graduating from Phoenix College with an AA in Theatre.
After being in the restaurant business for 10+ years, she found a brand new start at Highsmith Animal Hospital in Feb 2017. Starting in the kennel, she has now worked her way up to vet tech asst. Getting to share her love of animals with so many people and pets is the best part of this new chapter at Highsmith.
She is also involved in the local theatre scene and other shenanigans within the city of Wilmington!
At home she has the loving support of her husband Jake and her two furry babies Murphy and Marshmallow
Meg’s love for animals had a clandestine beginning in her early years of playing with wild animals in the forests of the Midwest and smuggling stray kittens into her closet. In the early 90’s she scored a job as a kennel attendant and a dog/cat bather. After moving to NC in 1994 for college, she landed a job at Highsmith Animal Hospital as groomer apprentice. She later became head groomer in 1996. Ever since then, she has specialized in “special needs” customers and becoming friends with all animals. She has also worked several volunteer jobs involving both deer and horses!
She is currently owned by four rescue animals: 10yr old canine “Lt. Dan”, 4yr old feline “The General”, 3yr old canine “Tiffany” and 1yr old “Maude Agnes”.
Samantha AKA “Sam” moved to Wilmington at the end of 2011 and decided to call this place her home. Originally from Texas, she lived on a dairy farm as a child and her family owned a miniature horse and a few goats. At a young age she knew she wanted to help animals in need. She is currently in the Veterinary Technician program at Cape Fear Community College hoping to expand her knowledge of veterinary medicine. she would like to work with large and/or exotic animals eventually. She has 4 dogs, 3 cats, and a chinchilla. In her free time, she likes to play video games, listen to music, and hang out with her friends. She is excited to start her new journey in the veterinary world and meet all the precious animals!
Amy was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts moved to North Carolina in 1998 with her parents and brother. Attended Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte and earned a degree in Auto body repair and welding. Left the industry over 20 years ago to pursue a fulfilling career in the animal industry. Amy has had compassion and respect for animals since she was little. Amy moved to Wilmington in August 2021 with her husband, 2 kids, a chihuahua named Jethro and a cat named Jack. She started working at Highsmith Animal Hospital in October 2021. Amy enjoys music, going to concerts, nature walks and spending time with her family, the beach and snuggle time with her chihuahua and cat. Amy is excited to join the Highsmith family and looking forward the many adventures to come.
Austin
is originally from Sanford, NC. She has grown up around all kinds of animals
and has loved them since before she could walk. She just knew she wanted to
work with them in one form or another. Austin went to college for
Pre-Veterinary Medicine in Banner Elk, NC She volunteered with a
wildlife rehabilitation center, and then transferred to UNCW for Marine Biology in
January 2022. She would like to specialize in large wildlife/exotics and
aquatic animals! She has one English Bulldog named "Lucy", who is her world, and
in her free time she likes to read, and travel! She is excited to join the
Highsmith Animal Hospital Family!
Olivia was born and raised
in Wilmington, NC. When she was little she always knew she wanted to work with
animals and help them. She graduated from CFCC in 2021 with an associate’s
degree in Arts. She now attends Appalachian State to earn her Bachelor’s degree
in Veterinary Technology. She has 2 dogs “Reese” and “Miller”. During her free
time she enjoys going to the beach, traveling and hanging out with my
friends. She is excited to meet all the sweet patients here at Highsmith
Animal Hospital and learn more!!
