Meet Our Team
Dr. Sandra Black
D.V.M.
Dr. Sandra Black earned her BS and DVM at the University of Florida. Shortly after graduation, she moved to western North Carolina and worked in Hendersonville and Etowah for a couple years. She joined Sylva Animal Hospital in 1994, working part time while pursuing her MBA at WCU. Since 1998, she has been a co-owner of the clinic, working full time as veterinarian.
Dr. Jenni Godfrey
D.V.M.
Dr. Jenni Godfrey grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated in 2007 from University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine in Ireland. She loves general internal medicine, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, meeting new people and their pets, and working as a team with staff and owners to provide the best care possible for our community's pets. She and her husband, Ryland, met while kayaking in Birmingham and found themselves coming to Western North Carolina frequently to enjoy the rivers and mountains. They are thrilled to be living in this area, as they also enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and spending time with their three dogs and five cats. Dr. Godfrey can't wait to team with you to give your pet his or her best life!
Jaki
Hospital Manager
Originally from Georgia, Jaki moved to the pacific northwest and led multi-day expeditions in the outdoors which guided her to working in equine therapy, becoming a wildland firefighter and horsepacking. She moved to North Carolina the other year to be close to family and began teaching First Aid and CPR, she joined our hospital in 2025! Jaki loves anything adventurous, critters of all kinds and never leaves her hounds behind! From people to pets, Jaki’s devoted to compassion and heart through care.
Allyson
Veterinary Technician
Allyson has been with our practice since 2005. She received her degree as a Veterinary Technician in 2006 from AB Tech. She has five dogs and one cat. She loves stumpy dogs and fat cats! When she is not working, she loves spending time with her husband and two children.
Tara
Veterinary Assistant
Tara is a veterinary assistant and receptionist from a tiny town in Tennessee. She’s married with a new baby and has a big heart for animals—especially dogs and cats. When she’s not at the clinic, you can find her enjoying the outdoors, whether it’s camping, fishing, or just soaking up nature with her family!
Faith
Veterinary Assistant
Famous saying “My flabbers are gasted!”
Faith has been working in veterinary care for a little over four years now. She really enjoys spending time in the outdoors and reading classic literature, as well as writing poetry! Faith’s favorite thing about her job is that she’s able to meet new animals every day and provide them with the best care possible. She also really enjoys lab analysis and examining slides under microscopes.
Crystal
Veterinary Assistant
Crystal Conley is a life long resident of Franklin, NC. She has worked in this field for seven years. She loves animals of all kinds, especially cats. Crystal attended Southwestern Community College where she studied General Education. She has three amazing children and a number of fur children. She loves working in this field and looks forward to meeting you and your pets!
Lauren
Veterinary Assistant
Lauren started her career in vet med here in 1999 and was part of our team until 2009 when she left to be at home with her 2 children. During this time she graduated from AB Tech's Veterinary Technology program in 2006. Lauren returned to Sylva animal hospital in 2024. Outside of work Lauren likes to spend time with her family and her horse Dacus!
Abby
Receptionist
Abby started at Sylva Animal Hospital in 2024 after relocating from Tampa, Florida. She has a long history of working as a zoo keeper and animal trainer and mixed things up a bit with cosmetology school. She loves spending time with her 4 big kitties snuggled up watching t.v. She dreams of working with Beluga Whales one day!
Megan
Receptionist
Megan has lived in Jackson County NC for the majority of her life except to experience a few winters in Fairbanks, Alaska. Megan and her husband have one son who shares their love for the outdoors and they have three great dogs! She loves all animals, but canines are closest to her heart and she enjoys spending time with them at home as well as work!
