Meet Our Staff
Dr. Barbara L Nicks
Dr. Nicks grew up in Elkin, NC with two sisters, one older and one younger. Her undergraduate studies were at NCSU. Completing her studies prior to NCSU having a College of Veterinary Medicine, she was contracted to study in Oklahoma and she received her degree from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Stillwarer, Oklahoma.
After graduation, she worked at a practice in Concord then spent almost ten years with Parker Veterinary Hospital in Charlotte, NC. In 1989 she opened Nicks Veterinary Hospital at this current and only location.
Dr. Nicks is the fourth in a long veterinary dynasty. Her grandfather Dr. C.E. Nicks and father Dr. R.E. Nicks, both practiced veterinary medicine in the Elkin area. An uncle, Dr. Eugene Nicks was an agricultural veterinarian for a pharmaceutical company. Dr. Barbara Nicks is the only Dr. Nicks still in practice. Early childhood memories are rich with veterinary stories about cases and farm calls. At family gatherings, a call out for “Dr. Nicks” will get multiple responses.
Home for Dr. Nicks is about an hour outside Charlotte on a small farm with two dogs, 2 cats and 4 horses that range in age from 4 to 28 years of age. Her love of horses is a phase he parents still hope she will outgrow! Most of her free time is spent on farm maintenance and lavishing attention on her pets.
Kathy Jacobs
Kathy acts as our administrative officer and assists as needed throughout the hospital. Her love of animals is obvious. In 2006, she started out as a part-time assistant and quickly found a full time position. She loves to pamper the pets here as well as the ones her and her husband own at home in Gastonia, NC.
Shaara Vaughan
Shaara started working here in the summer of 1996. After attending NCSU, she worked at the original Veterinary Specialist/Emergency clinic on Torrence Ave. A rarity in our profession she has only two dogs, both mixed breeds. Shaara and her husband live in Charlotte and enjoy good wine, travel, and time with friends and family.
Matthew St. Pierre
Matthew grew up around the hospital as a kid, and ultimately turned his passion for animals into a job. He began working in the kennels with the animals back in 2017 and eventually became a full-time employee. His love for dogs and cats are evident in his day to day work.
Allyson Welsh
Allyson started in April of 2022 and works as our support assistant in the front and back of the hospital. After working in medical sales for most of her career as well as training dogs on the side, she has been a great addition to the hospital in many different ways.
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