Veterinarians in West End, NC
Meet the veterinarians and care team at Vanguard Veterinary Hospital in West End, NC. Our team provides professional veterinary care for dogs and cats, with experience in small animal medicine, working dog care, rehabilitation, dentistry, surgery, pain management, and Fear Free handling.
Professional Care, Personal Commitment
At Vanguard Veterinary Hospital, every team member plays a role in supporting patient comfort, medical quality, and clear communication with pet owners. Our veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, client service representatives, and support team bring diverse experience to the care of dogs, cats, and working dogs across West End and surrounding Sandhills communities.
Meet the Team
Our Veterinary Team
Get to know the people behind your pet’s care.
Dana A. Vamvakias, DVM, CCRT, cVMA, CAC, CVPP
Owner & Veterinarian
Dr. Dana A. Vamvakias is the owner of Vanguard Veterinary Hospital and a graduate of the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. Her veterinary career includes experience in the active, reserve, and civilian services of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps and the U.S. Special Operations Command.
Dr. Vamvakias brings extensive experience and advanced training in small animal medicine, surgery, dentistry, and working dog medicine. She is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist, Animal Chiropractor, and Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner. She is also a Fear Free Certified Professional.
Her special interests include pain management, rehabilitative medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic laser, canine sports medicine, surgery, working dog medicine, and veterinary research. Dr. V enjoys offering new approaches to pain management and improving quality of life for her patients. Outside the hospital, she enjoys time at the beach, art journaling, painting, and walking along the seashore.
Kasmin Davis, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Kasmin Davis is a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed an internship with the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine. After serving in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, she worked in private veterinary practice for 32 years in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
After selling her veterinary practice in Fayetteville, Dr. Davis is enjoying semi-retirement in the Pinehurst area with her husband and four dogs. Her special interest is internal medicine, and she brings decades of clinical experience to the care of dogs and cats at Vanguard Veterinary Hospital. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Davis is a 500-hour certified yoga teacher and enjoys gardening, art, and hiking.
Lara Bartl, DVM, DABVP
Veterinarian
Dr. Lara Bartl has practiced small animal veterinary medicine for more than 25 years and has been board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in canine and feline practice for more than 15 years. Her background includes emergency medicine, primary care, and a current focus on small animal dentistry.
Dr. Bartl served as an Associate Professor at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine for 10 years and recently completed advanced training through a dentistry and oral surgery residency. Her special interests include dentistry and oral surgery, making her an important part of Vanguard Veterinary Hospital’s advanced and referral dentistry services.
Amber Carpenter, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Amber Carpenter is a Registered Veterinary Technician who grew up locally in North Carolina. She has worked in veterinary practice since 2009, beginning her career at UNC in lab animal medicine before moving into private practice for companion animals.
Amber has a deep passion for animals and takes pride in her work with patients and clients. Her special interests include radiology and dentistry. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her family. She shares her home with her husband, two children, and several four-legged family members.
Paige Bullard, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Paige Bullard was born and raised in Moore County, North Carolina. She graduated from Central Carolina Community College’s Veterinary Medical Technology Program in 2017 and has always known she wanted to work with animals.
Paige enjoys veterinary medicine and has special interests in rehabilitation, ultrasonography, and radiology. Her connection with animals began early in life, and she brings that commitment to her work with pets at Vanguard Veterinary Hospital. Outside the hospital, Paige enjoys time with family and friends, being outdoors, fishing, and taking long walks with her four-legged family member.
Michelle Ditch, RVT, CCRP, CSMP
Registered Veterinary Technician
Michelle Ditch is a Certified Veterinary Technician who grew up in Pennsylvania and has worked in the veterinary field since 1999. Her background includes experience in orthopedics and general health, and she is dedicated to helping improve the lives of animals.
Michelle completed the Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner program at the University of Tennessee in 2020 and is also a Small Animal Myofascial Practitioner. Her special interests include rehabilitation and radiology. In her free time, Michelle enjoys being outdoors with her pets.
Staci McIlwain
Veterinary Assistant
Staci McIlwain was born and raised in Southern California and began her veterinary career in 1998. After getting married, she moved to Virginia Beach and spent many years working at veterinary hospitals throughout the Southeast.
Staci eventually settled in Moore County and began working at Vanguard Veterinary Hospital in 2018. Her special interests include surgery and critical care. She brings many years of veterinary experience and a steady, caring presence to the hospital team.
Laura Crankshaw
Client Service Representative
Laura Crankshaw was born in California and grew up in Sanford, North Carolina. Before joining Vanguard Veterinary Hospital, she spent nine years in the restaurant industry, including time as a sous chef.
Laura’s love of animals and interest in learning new things led her to veterinary medicine. She is currently working to obtain her veterinary assistant certificate. Her special interests include patient care and rehabilitation. Outside of work, Laura enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and being outdoors.
Nicole Rogers, RVT, CCRP, CSCC
Registered Veterinary Technician
Nicole Rogers was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. She graduated from Central Carolina Community College in 2015 as a Registered Veterinary Technician. Nicole has worked with local small animal emergency services since before graduation and has also worked in general practice since 2008.
Nicole completed the Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner program through the University of Tennessee in 2022. Her special interests include emergency medicine, critical care, and rehabilitation. In her free time, Nicole can often be found at the gym or watching almost any sporting event.
Melissa Cain
Client Service Representative
Melissa Cain came to North Carolina from South New Jersey and brings more than three decades of veterinary field experience. Her journey began in high school, starting as a veterinary assistant and eventually becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician before cross-training in client service.
Melissa’s special interests include geriatric pets and client relations. She also earned her Fear Free certification to strengthen her ability to support compassionate care for animal patients. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys caring for her rescue animals, volunteering with Great Dane Rescue, spending time in nature, cooking and baking, interior design, and reading.
Ashlene Williams, NCLMBT, CMFT
Canine Myo-Manipulative Functional Therapist
Ashlene Williams was born and raised on Long Island, New York, and has always been passionate about helping others. After moving to North Carolina in 2001, she found her calling in massage therapy and became a licensed Massage Therapist in 2005.
In 2023, Ashlene expanded her work to four-legged patients by becoming a Certified Canine Myo-Manipulative Functional Therapist. Her special interests include geriatric pets and working dogs. In her free time, Ashlene enjoys spending time with her family, crocheting, and riding horses.