About Richland Animal Clinic

Katie Knox, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Katie Knox is a Nashville native and previously worked at Richland Animal Clinic as a veterinary assistant in high school and college. She attended Middle Tennessee State University and received 2 Bachelor of Science Degrees in Animal Science and Biology and then received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating from veterinary school, she moved to Boston and completed a year-long internship in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care then worked as an emergency veterinarian in Louisville and Nashville. While she has a great love for emergency vet medicine, working long nights, weekends and holidays grew tiresome, so in 2014 she found her way back to Richland Animal Clinic.

She has two dogs, Kodo and Emma, and a cat named Juno that she shares with her husband Joe. Outside the vet hospital, you can often find her hiking, backpacking, camping, traveling, participating in music festivals, or anything that involves enjoying the great outdoors!

John Russell, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. John Russell joined the Richland family in 2018, moving here from Atlanta. He graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and is originally from Huntsville, Alabama where his father is currently a veterinarian as well.

Outside the veterinary hospital, Dr. Russell enjoys hanging out with his black lab, Knight, and watching Auburn Football!

Carolyn Benedetto, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Dr. Carolyn Benedetto joined our family in 2018. Dr. Benedetto is a graduate of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and the recipient of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Award. During vet school, she became certified in veterinary acupuncture at the Curacore Integrative Medicine Center in Colorado.

Dr. Carolyn moved to Nashville with her husband Patrick, who attends Vanderbilt Law School, and her two sweet rescue dogs - Ophie & Zoey. Her professional interests include pet dentistry, ultrasonography and speaking with clients about how to best care for pets to strengthen the human-animal bond. She also has experience working with work dogs, service dogs and guide dogs and trained with Guide Dogs for the Blind in California.

Outside of the vet hospital when she isn't caring for patients, Dr. Carolyn enjoys yoga, canoeing, painting and finding local Nashville restaurants with her husband.

Dawn, LVT

Hospital Manager / Licensed Veterinary Technician

Dawn attended the Columbia State Veterinary Technician Program and graduated in 2008 and then completed the national board exam and received a license to practice as a Veterinary Technician. After graduation, she worked at a veterinary clinic in Spring Hill for almost 2 years before coming to Richland Animal Clinic in 2010. She is very passionate about animals and educating people on how to help their pets live long, happy lives. She lives with two cats Pirate and Georgie, and dog Zoe!

James

Veterinary Assistant

James joined our vet team in 2010, but his veterinary career began in 1997 while living in Wisconsin. He lives in West Nashville with his wonderful family and loves working here because he believes it is important to offer people holistic and conventional options for the health of their companion animals. He currently has two dogs, 4 cats, and 4 guinea pigs.

James

Veterinary Assistant
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James joined Richland in 2017. He graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Animal Science and moved to Nashville in 2017. Although he loves working with cattle, he enjoys working at Richland Animal Clinic and our cats and dogs!

Sonya

Veterinary Assistant

Sonya joined Richland Animal Clinic in 1992. Although her title is Vet Assistant, she is always helping in other areas when needed and with her many years of experience is a valuable asset to our team. She has a dog named Colt, a cat named McCoy, and two horses, Bo and Vegas.

Heather

Veterinary Assistant

Heather is a Nashville native and a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Veterinary Technology. She started at Richland Animal Clinic in early 2014 and absolutely loves working here! Outside the vet hospital in her spare time, she enjoys movies, video games and snuggling with her Yorkie mix, Dixie.

Sarah

Veterinary Assistant

​​​​​​​Sarah has been working at Richland since 2006. She worked as the kennel manager and responsible for the comfort and well-being of all animals boarding and hospitalized with us. Sarah is currently studying for her veterinary technician license. She is always going above and beyond to help in other areas as well. She is the proud mother of two furry children - Mr. Tibbs and Catfish.

Courtney, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Courtney joined the Richland Animal Clinic family in 2018. She graduated with Honors from Brown Mackie Technical College-Louisville in 2016 where she obtained an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology and passed her veterinary technician licensing exam in November of that same year. Since then, she has dedicated herself to caring for animals of all kinds and is very passionate about creating a loving/ stress-free environment.

At home, she lives with mainly “foster fails" including a geriatric Lab, named Lacey, a senior Shih Tzu, named Tiger. Not to mention, a sassy tabby named Norma, a spunky Shih Tzu named Karl, and an ineffective “mouser” named Ember.

Outside the veterinary hospital, you can catch her at the dog park on most days or relaxing on the couch with a good book or movie.

Brooklynn

Veterinary Assistant

Brooklynn joined the Richland Animal Clinic family in 2018 but has several years of experience in veterinary hospitals and is currently studying for her veterinary technician license.

Jess

Client Care

Jess moved to Nashville 2010 with her 3 cats and has been with Richland Animal Clinic family since 2015. Outside the vet hospital, she enjoys singing, going to concerts watching and watching classic horror films.

Lana

Client Care

Lana joined us in 2017. Outside the vet hospital when not at work, Lana is spending time with her Miniature Schnauzers Lilly & Lydia and cheering on her Texas Tech Red Raiders. Her background in client service in the restaurant industry provided her wonderful experience in meeting and greeting all our wonderful clients and patients!

Lee Ella

Client Care

Lee Ella moved here with her husband from Arizona in 2016 along with her collection of fur babies that includes Virgil a German short hair, Wyatt a Weimaraner, and her 3 horses. She has been at Richland since 2016.

Jessica V

Client Care
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Mernaa

Patient Care Attendant

Mernaa joined the Richland Animal Clinic family in 2018 while attending Belmont University full-time to study biology. She has always been passionate about helping animals and learning about them. Her passion for the sciences and animals drives her pursuit to attend veterinary school in the future. She loves coordinating care for all of the valued pets that come to Richland and learning from the dedicated staff and doctors every chance she gets!

Sheri

Patient Care Attendant

Sheri is a former Information Technology professional who has chosen to pursue a long-term goal of providing animal care and support in a veterinary hospital. She has volunteered for shelters and rescue organizations. It’s a top priority for her to provide the best care possible to animals spending time at the clinic. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Eddie, and two cats, Simon and Emily.

Dana

Patient Care Attendant

Dana moved to Nashville from New Jersey to have a change of pace while studying for her veterinary technician license. She has a love for all different types of animals and in the future, she hopes to use her veterinart experience at Richland Animal Clinic to help wild and endangered animals.