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
Veterinarian/Business Owner
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
Practice Manager
Hey y’all, my name is Hannabelle, and I have the honor of serving as Faithful Friends’ Practice Manager, Lead Veterinary Patient Care Assistant, and Grief Counselor. I have truly been blessed to grow up within these walls since I was four years old, and so many of you have lovingly watched me grow from a little girl with big dreams into the woman I am today. This hospital is not just where I work — it is part of my story, my family, and my heart.
Caring for animals and the people who love them is not simply a profession for me — it is a calling on my life. I treasure every new fur baby who comes through our doors and hold each one close to my heart as if they were my own. I celebrate the puppy visits, the routine check-ups, the healing moments, and the happy homecomings. Even more tenderly, I consider it a sacred privilege to walk beside families during one of the hardest moments they will ever face — saying goodbye to their faithful companion. In those quiet, holy moments, my prayer is always that both pet and parent feel peace. I pray their beloved friend experiences a gentle, dignified passing, surrounded by love before crossing the Rainbow Bridge. To be trusted in that space is something I never take lightly.
I officially began working here when I was just 11 years old in the kennel. What started as cleaning runs, folding laundry, and caring for boarded pets slowly unfolded into a lifelong calling. I grew up learning the value of hard work, servant leadership, and compassionate care from the very best mentors. Over the years, through dedication, guidance, and God’s grace, I have had the privilege of learning every corner of this hospital and stepping into leadership. Each role has shaped me in profound ways — teaching me compassion in the exam room, resilience during long days, humility in difficult conversations, and grace in moments of grief. Every lesson strengthened not only my skills, but my heart.
Everything I witness here continually brings me back to what my mother taught me: the Human-Animal Bond is a reflection of God’s grace. The love between a person and their pet is pure, steadfast, and heaven-sent. It is loyal, forgiving, and deeply sacred. To care for that bond — to protect it, nurture it, and honor it in both life and loss — is one of the greatest responsibilities and blessings of my life.
Faithful Friends is more than a hospital to me. It is a ministry of compassion, a place of healing, and a home. I am endlessly grateful to serve our families, our patients, and this community that has loved me for so many years.
Janice
Client Service Representative
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 have been married for over 50 years. 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!
Leah
Client Service Representative
Hey everyone! My name is Leah, and I’m the Customer Service Representative here at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital. I was born in Clearwater, Florida, and moved to North Carolina in 2008. Over the past fourteen years, I’ve built my experience working with animals in a variety of roles, including volunteering at the Pitt County Animal Shelter and serving as both a Veterinary Assistant and CSR at several animal hospitals throughout eastern North Carolina. Each of those experiences has helped shape my passion for veterinary medicine and strengthened my love for helping animals and the people who care for them.
One of my favorite parts of working in veterinary medicine is learning about new medications and advancements that become available to help manage chronic conditions. It’s amazing to see how far veterinary care has come and to witness the positive impact these treatments have on our patients’ quality of life. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a pet who was once uncomfortable or struggling start to feel better and thrive again.
I truly enjoy working at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital because of the incredible team I’m blessed to work alongside every day. From the moment I joined, everyone has been so welcoming and supportive, creating a warm, positive environment where both staff and clients feel at home. I believe FFVH is a place where my passion for animals can continue to grow, and where I can keep expanding my knowledge to better serve our patients and their families.
Outside of work, I stay active and enjoy spending time outdoors. I love hockey, riding horses, and spending time on 4-wheelers. I also enjoy pet sitting for a number of wonderful clients, which gives me even more opportunities to care for animals and build lasting relationships with their families.
I’m grateful to be part of the FFVH team and look forward to continuing to serve our community and their beloved pets!
Shannon
Client Service Representative
Hi y’all! I’m Shannon, and I’m one of the Customer Service Representatives here at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital and have been a part of the team since 2025. I’ve come a long way to land in the lovely town of Grifton — and I’m so glad I did!
I was born in Dover, New Hampshire, and spent most of my life in New Hampshire and Maine. While living in New England, I began my career as a veterinary assistant and receptionist at an animal hospital before eventually transitioning into a career in law. After nearly 20 years in that profession, my husband and I decided it was time for a new chapter. We semi-retired and made the move to North Carolina in 2025.
Now, I’m grateful to have returned to one of my greatest passions — working with both animals and the people who love them. I truly enjoy connecting with our clients and being surrounded by an abundance of my favorite creatures every day. Doggie kisses and kitty cuddles are definitely the highlights of my job!
When I’m not at work, you’ll likely find me slowing down and enjoying life with my husband, our two dogs, and our cats. We love camping with the pups, biking, and exploring new places together. The outdoors is where we’re happiest, and North Carolina certainly does not disappoint. We’re having such a wonderful time discovering all this beautiful state has to offer.
Sydney
Veterinary Assistant
Hi everyone! My name is Sydney, and I am one of the Veterinary Assistants here at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital. I first joined the FFVH team in 2025 as a kennel technician, and through dedication, hard work, and a true love for what I do, I recently stepped into my new role as a Veterinary Nurse at the beginning of this year. Being able to grow within this practice has been such a rewarding and full-circle experience for me. It means so much to be part of a team that encourages growth and supports each other every step of the way. I truly love coming to work each day knowing I get to make a difference.
Ever since I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to work in the veterinary field. Animals have always held a special place in my heart, and that passion has only deepened over time. Whether they are my own pets or someone else’s beloved companion, I’ve always felt a strong sense of responsibility to make sure they feel safe, understood, and cared for. To me, caring for animals isn’t just about medicine — it’s about compassion, patience, and advocacy.
One of my favorite parts of being a Veterinary Assistant is helping patients who may feel nervous or anxious when they come to visit us. The clinic can be an unfamiliar and sometimes scary place, so building trust is incredibly important. I take pride in moving at their pace, reading their body language, and creating as calm and positive of an experience as possible. Watching a scared or unsure patient slowly relax, accept gentle reassurance, and begin to trust me is one of the most fulfilling feelings. I also love witnessing sick or injured pets recover and return to their happy, playful selves. Being able to assist in surgery, support treatments, and even help with routine annual exams makes me feel proud to play a role in their journey to better health.
The human-animal bond is something I deeply value, and I strongly believe in providing Fear Free care to ensure our patients feel as comfortable and stress-free as possible. That’s one of the many reasons I love being part of FFVH — our entire team is committed to compassion, patience, and treating every pet like family. I am so grateful to work alongside Dr. Heath and the incredible FFVH family, and I look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and serve our patients for years to come.
Lex
Veterinary Assistant/Groomer
Hi, I’m Lex! I’ve been a proud member of the team here at Faithful Friends Veterinary Hospital since 2025, and chances are, if you see me, I’ll be the one smiling and probably covered in an impressive amount of dog hair! It’s just part of the job — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
At Faithful Friends, I wear two hats as both a professional groomer and a veterinary assistant. I’ve been working in the dog grooming industry since 2015, and over the years I’ve developed a true passion for helping pets look and feel their very best. Grooming isn’t just about keeping coats neat and tidy — it’s about making sure each pet is comfortable, healthy, and cared for. Being hands-on with animals every day has only deepened my love for veterinary medicine, which is why I’m currently in school working toward becoming a veterinary technician. I’m excited to continue expanding my knowledge and skills so I can provide even more comprehensive care to our patients.
My favorite part of working here isn’t just spending time with the animals (though they truly are amazing!) — it’s also the relationships we build with their owners. There’s something incredibly rewarding about earning a pet’s trust and giving owners peace of mind knowing their furry family members are genuinely loved and well cared for. Watching a nervous pup leave happy and freshly groomed, or seeing the relief on an owner’s face after a visit, makes everything worthwhile.
When I’m not at the clinic, my life is just as full and busy! I spend most of my time with my four wonderful kids, who keep me on my toes and laughing daily. I also care for my small hobby farm, which adds even more animals (and fun!) to my world. And whenever I can sneak in a quiet moment, you’ll usually find me curled up with a good book.
I’m so grateful to be part of the Faithful Friends family and to play a role in caring for your beloved pets!
Jaden
Veterinary Assistant
Hi there! I’m Jaden, one of the assistants here at FFVH. I was part of the Faithful Fam since January 2025 before moving to Fayetteville, NC—but the distance hasn’t stopped me from staying closely connected and continuing to see our amazing patients and clients regularly! I’ve been working as a veterinary assistant since I started at Faithful Friends, but my journey with animals began in 2021. I started as a manager at a boarding facility, where I discovered my passion for behavior and training and eventually became a certified dog trainer.
Over the past 2–3 years, I’ve really focused on obedience training as well as working with dogs that experience mild aggression or reactivity. I love being able to combine veterinary care with behavior modification, helping pets not only feel better physically but also thrive emotionally and mentally. It’s incredibly rewarding to build trust with animals and help strengthen the bond they share with their families.
Outside of work, I have a 4-year-old Cane Corso named Belvedere, who is truly the light of my life and keeps me on my toes every day! I’m also excited to be expanding my pack later this summer with a working-line German Shepherd (name still to be decided!). When you visit the clinic, you might notice I have a special bond with Hannabelle’s Doberman, Vader—he was actually a foster under my care for about a year before I started working here. The moment HB met him, it was love at first sight, and the rest is history!
Fostering is something I’m deeply passionate about. I love helping dogs build confidence, learn structure, and develop the skills they need to become (mostly!) perfect companions, making it easier for them to find their forever homes. Each one leaves a lasting impression on my heart.
I truly love being part of this team and feel so grateful to work alongside such compassionate, dedicated people. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I look forward to continuing to care for your pets and can’t wait to meet all of you and your furry family members!