Meet Our Team in Charlotte, NC

What you and your pet have is special—a bond that lasts a lifetime, built on unconditional love and trust. Our team loves animals and people in equal measure, and we want to help support your bond for years to come. Meet the wonderful people who make our practice a warm, welcoming place for every pet and every person. We can’t wait to meet you!

Dr. Tom Gawel

Dr. Tom Gawel grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. His interest in veterinary medicine piqued when he started a job at the age of 15 as a kennel assistant at a 24-hour veterinary hospital in Illinois. He obtained an undergraduate degree in Zoology from Michigan State University (Go Green!). He had the unique experience of completing his veterinary studies on the island of St. Kitts at Ross University; followed by a final clinical year at University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Gawel’s special interests in veterinary medicine include behavior, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery. He began his career in the Tidewater area of Virginia but missed the culture and opportunities of a bigger city. He has been practicing veterinary medicine in the Charlotte area since 2015.

When not at the hospital, Dr. Gawel keeps himself busy with his amazing wife and two boys. An avid sports fan, Dr. Gawel stays true to his roots and cheers on his Chicago teams (except for the White Sox) and MSU Spartans!

Dr. Courtney Hemeyer

Dr. Courtney Hemeyer is originally from Little Rock, AR, but has lived all over the country. She attended Louisiana State University for veterinary school and started her veterinary career in Arkansas followed by North Carolina, before moving to Starkville, MS to complete a 3-year ABVP residency program at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In this program, she received advanced medical and surgical training with dogs and cats in an academic setting. She has now completed the residency and is thankful to be permanently back in North Carolina where she will complete her examinations and receive her American Board of Veterinary Practitioners accreditation.

Special interests for Dr. Hemeyer include feline medicine, internal medicine, dentistry and teaching veterinary students/technicians. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with her cat, Remy.

Vikki C. Practice Manager

Vikki is a recent transplant to Charlotte, by way of, England, Nashville, and most recently, DC. As a graduate of NC State (Go Wolfpack!), she is excited to get back to all that North Carolina has to offer. Among many things, she loves hiking, paddle boarding, running, and relaxing with a glass of wine, during which her golden/lab mix usually accompanies her, Mauer. As a self-proclaimed “dog person,” she also has a feline friend, Calhoun, whom she raised from about one week old, along with the rest of his litter.

Vikki is thankful to have worked at some incredible practices over the past 14 years in the veterinary industry. She has held almost every position in the clinical setting, including kennel assistant, receptionist, technician, and practice manager. To her, a successful practice is one in which the pets feel safe, the clients feel supported, and the team feels valued. She is extremely excited to join Dr. Gawel and play an essential role in bringing his vision to life!