Meet Our Team
Dr. Katie Samples
DVM
Dr. Samples was born and raised in Woodstock, Georgia, however, she has called Athens home since 2001. She knew from an early age that she wanted to practice veterinary medicine.
She started working as a kennel assistant in high school and worked her way up to veterinary assistant over time. She received her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Georgia in 2005, and went on to graduate from the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. She found her place at Winder Corners Animal Clinic in 2008 where she practices internal medicine with a special interest in Ultrasound diagnostics. Dr. Samples strives to be the voice for animals that do not have one, and to nurture the bond between owners and their pets for as long as possible. The one thing she wishes owners knew more about is the importance of yearly preventative care for their pets, and planning ahead for the unexpected illness and accidents that can happen.
She is married to Brandon Samples, a math professor at GCSU in Milledgeville. They have two lovely daughters, Peyton and Nora, as well as three four-legged children: two dogs, “Lily Phoenix”, and 'Hazel June' and one cat, “Shelly”. When life slows down, Dr. Samples enjoys spending time with the family, cooking, swimming and taking her dogs to the park. Her guilty pleasure is a good romantic comedy, and come fall, she is one of the Bulldogs’ biggest fans!
Dr. Heather Fields
DVM
Bio coming soon!
Dr. Kathy Kero
DVM
Dr. Kathy Kero is a native Californian who received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ohio State University in 1993. Following graduation, she left the Big 10 but not her love for Buckeye football, moving to SEC territory where she completed a year of post-graduate training at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. There she developed her love of teaching clients and students. The road from Starkville, MS took Dr. Kero to Memphis, TN where she spent 8 years in general practice and emergency medicine. In 2002, her passion for teaching students led Dr. Kero to Athens, GA and a faculty position at The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine (Go Dawgs!). Dr. Kero devoted the next 9 years of her veterinary career to training veterinary students how to develop the technical and communication skills necessary to become the best general practitioners they could be. In 2011, Dr. Kero left academia and returned to emergency medicine and general practice in the Atlanta area. Dr. Kero is thrilled to be joining the team at Winder Corners Animal Cinic and is looking forward to sharing her passion for education and patient care through communication and collaboration with the people of Winder and Barrow County.
When Dr. Kero is not at the hospital she is spending time with her wife of 18 years and her 3 beautiful daughters. In her free time, Dr. Kero loves to relax with home improvement projects, yard work, coaching her twins beginner soccer team and traveling to Feis' (Irish Dance Competitions) to cheer on her oldest daughter and, of course watching Buckeye and Dawgs football.
Becky Krone, LVT
Megan Whitmore, LVT
Kelly Helfrick, Lead Veterinary Assistant
Haily Knight, Veterinary Assistant
Makaylah Martin, Veterinary Assistant
Natalie, Kennel Assistant
Tara Jones, Hospital Manager
Stephanie Anderson, Technician Supervisor
Reshma Singh, Veterinary Assistant
Holly Stone, Veterinary Receptionist
Jessica Wilson, Veterinary Assistant
J J the black house cat
Pickle Helfrick, in loving memory of our most cherished Customer Service Specialist