Meet Our Team in Grifton, NC
Dr. Ivy and her experienced, like-minded team of pet-lovers take pleasure in making a difference in the lives of people and their animal companions. We are gratified to fulfill the needs of pet families throughout the community and provide the higher standard of care they deserve.
Meet our veterinarian and amazing staff members below, and call (252) 524-3384 today!
Dr. Ivy Heath
Dr. Ivy Oakley Heath was born and raised in New Bern, North Carolina. She made known her desire to be a veterinarian at the age of four, though she had no pets of her own and couldn’t even spell “veterinarian.” When she was old enough, Dr. Heath volunteered at a local veterinary clinic after school, on weekends, and over the summer. After graduating at the top of her high school class, Dr. Heath went to Meredith College to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She graduated in three years and then applied to NCSU-College of Veterinary Medicine. Much to her surprise, her application was rejected, but she took this setback in stride and shifted course to teach high school biology. This career gave Dr. Heath the opportunity to grow, and it also brought her into the path of her future husband. She applied once more to NCSU-CVM and got accepted, and during her time in vet school she got married and founded a program called the Human Animal Bond Project, which is still being used today.
In April 2008, Dr. Heath established Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital in the small rural community of Grifton, NC. This town of just 2,672 people did not have a veterinarian, and when Dr. Heath got started, she had zero clients, and many of Grifton’s residents were not aware of the preventative needs of their pets. Fortunately, things began to look up and in 2013, with her father’s help, she was able to oversee the building of a brand new, almost 5,000-square foot hospital. That same year, Faithful Friends was chosen as one of the top four hospitals in the US (out of almost 40,000!) by IDEXX Laboratories.
Dr. Heath tries to educate her community and be an advocate for the veterinary profession. Her favorite areas of veterinary medicine include dermatology, internal medicine, endocrinology, and pain management. When she finds the time to spare, Dr. Heath enjoys painting, small DIY crafts, decorating, party planning, and loving on Munkee, her 3lb “Shorkie” who follows her everywhere. She also enjoys Southern cooking, North Carolina traditions, and both its local and statewide history. Dr. Heath also cherishes every moment she gets to spend with her three grown children and her husband, David. Without David’s incredible support, Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital would not have been possible.
Dr. Heath is actively involved with her family in the many Christ-serving missions of Integrity Church. She knows how blessed she is to be living out her dreams every day, and she praises the Lord for all He has done for her and her family.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 ESV
Hannabelle
Hey y'all my name is Hannabelle and I am FFVH veterinarian patient care assistant/grief counselor. I have been here at Faithful Friends since I was four years-old. Most of you have seen me grow up inside these four walls. I have learned many great things from working here and I have loved every four legged animal that has come through the doors. I love meeting new fur babies that come to FFVH, but also helping pet parents say good-bye to their faithful friends in such a way that when the time comes, they understand that it truly was a “good death” that their furbaby experienced before crossing the rainbow bridge.Everything I do and see at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital reinforces my belief, taught to me by my mother, that the Human-Animal Bond is so beautiful and strong; it must be a gift of Grace from Our God.
Kayla
Hi. My name Kayla and I am a veterinary assistant at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital. I was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina and I attended Fayetteville State University, majoring in biology. I have had seven years of previous experience working with animals in a variety of settings including an animal shelter, a day care and boarding facility and as a veterinary assistant at an animal hospital in West Virginia. My favorite part of veterinary medicine is creating relationships with patients and watching those who are sick return to healthy lives. My favorite part of working at Faithful Friends is the relationships I have with my co-workers. They make me feel like a member of a large family. This is awesome for me since I come from a family of nine. (I am a twin and I have another set of twin brothers in my family.) We actually have fun and lots of laughter while working together. I come to work happy and leave tired but happy! I have been happily married to my husband, Jeffrey for two years. We enjoy ECU football , especially because he is a coach and we spend time with our families. My spare time activities include spending time with my two cats, Ginger and Jade and watching tv.
Janice
My only connection to veterinary medicine is through my daughter, Dr. Ivy Heath. I have watched her from age 12 until now, blossom from an eager middle schooler to a competent veterinarian. The journey has been a complete delight through everything … high school, college, veterinary school, and finally establishing her own practice.
My career was in education, spending over 40 years with the Craven County School system as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and K-12 math coordinator. Math has always been my passion and has come in handy in my volunteer role at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital as the Business Manager. It is my job to enter inventory, pay the bills, respond to emails and telemarketers, and talk with customers. My favorite thing to do is to talk with our clients and get to know them. We absolutely have the best clients in the world!
My husband, Richard, and I will be married 50 years in February 2023. It has been the best journey anyone could imagine. We have two adult children, Dr. Heath and Corey, who is the Deputy Chief of Inland Fisheries with the Wildlife Resources Commission. We have 4 grandchildren (the best in the world): Caleb, Hannabelle, Elijah, and Jonah.
When you visit Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital, you will have no trouble finding me in the crowd. I will be the only one here with gray hair and lots of wrinkles! I look forward to meeting you soon!
Kevon
Hello my name is Kevon and I have been a part time veterinary assistant for almost a year now at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital. During the summer I work full time. The thing I like most about veterinary medicine is being able to interact with the different patients and assisting Dr. Heath in helping them feel better. I like working at Faithful Friends because it is such a welcoming environment which is given to all who come through the door of the clinic. In my leisure time, I like hanging out with friends and participating in many FFA activities through the North Lenoir FFA Chapter. Upon graduation in 2025, I hope to enter college and ultimately become a high school agriculture teacher.
Leah
Hey my name is Leah and I am the customer service representative at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital. I was born in Clearwater, Florida and moved to North Carolina in 2008. I have fourteen years experience working with animals to include volunteering at Pitt County Animal Shelter and serving as a veterinary assistant and CSR at several animal hospitals in eastern North Carolina. My favorite part of veterinary medicine is learning about new medications which become available to help chronic conditions and seeing the results in patients. I enjoy working at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital because of the people I work with. They have been so welcoming to me and have created a warm environment in which to work. I believe FFVH is a place where my passion for animals can grow and I can continue to learn how to care for animals. My leisure activities include hockey, riding horses , and 4-wheelers. In addition, I enjoy pet sitting for a number of clients.