Meet Our Team
Meet the veterinarians and team at PetSmart Veterinary Services! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to Know Our Team
We are dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you, and we hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Veterinarian
Jason Regalado, DVM
Owner and Veterinarian
Education/Training
Dr. Regalado graduated as the Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2016
Previous Employment
Prior to opening PVS Garner, Dr. Regalado has worked in as well as led several veterinary practices in the Triangle area since July 2016.
Why did you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
I decided to become a veterinarian later in life than most of my peers – I was about 21 and working as a kennel attendant at the SPCA in Sacramento, CA when I realized I liked the variety of working with different animals every day, so I got serious about my studies and was accepted to veterinary school a few years later.
Why did you choose to open PVS Garner?
I want to serve my community by making a healthier world for pets and the people who love them.
How would you describe your approach to your new practice?
Over the past 8 years as a veterinarian, a common pain point I’ve seen amongst large practices is constant turnover/poor retention of skilled veterinary support staff (e.g. Credentialed Veterinary Technicians, non-credentialed Veterinary Assistants and Receptionists). Inevitably, this leads to disengaged staff/doctors and, most importantly, an erosion of trust from pet parents in veterinary teams. Without this trust, it is impossible to fulfil our purpose.
As such, the foundation of a veterinary clinic must be to continuously support (via opportunities for growth, skill building, and financial stability) and encourage those providing care to patients and clients. A simple concept, but it requires relentless commitment to execute. I expect the results of this approach to be shown over the coming months via positive impact and reception PVS Garner will make on our community.
How will it be different from other veterinary practices?
I have worked for practices that treat their employees as a replaceable widget, which leads to both clients and staff feeling like the practice of veterinary medicine is a transaction where profits are put above pets and people. Nothing could be further from the truth about PVS Garner. The relationships we’ll build with the people and pets of our community will be impactful and cherished by our team for years to come.
What are you most excited about regarding your new position at PVS Garner?
I am excited about being part of a team that serves the people and pets of this community to the best of our capabilities.
What do you think pet owners should know about this new practice?
The care our team extends to each other will allow us to provide the most client and patient focused experience you’ve ever been part of.
What are your passions in life?
I have a wife, two school-aged girls, a dog, a cat, and 10 chickens, so we stay quite busy. I am passionate about health, learning, and veterinary medicine as a journey, so I spend lots of time reading/listening/incorporating new habits/practices. My favorite podcasts include The People’s Pharmacy and The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast.
Registered Veterinary Technician
Stephanie Kravitz, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Education/Training
A.A.S Veterinary Technology, Brown Mackie College, Akron, OH
December 23, 2016
Previous Employment
Care First Animal Hospital – Registered Veterinary Technician
Vetco Total Care – Hospital Office Manager
IDEXX Reference Laboratory – Medical Laboratory Technician
Lazy 5 Vets – Registered Veterinary Technician
Why did you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
Problem solving is my jam! After I found human healthcare to be both unfulfilling AND disgusting, I turned to veterinary medicine as a way to solve medical mysteries and help people and pets live happier, healthier lives.
Why did you choose to work at PVS Garner?
Dr. Regalado’s mentorship has been invaluable to me from the first shift we worked together. I told him from day one that if he ever opened his own practice, I’d jump at the opportunity to work with him.
How would you describe Dr. Jason’s approach to his new practice?
Dr. Regalado’s approach to veterinary medicine is nothing short of revolutionary. Veterinary practices teeter on a fine line, being part of both medical and service industries. The reality of this field is that you can’t practice good medicine without delivering good customer service as well. Dr. Regalado aims to revolutionize the veterinary experience by embracing employee autonomy, building collaborative client relationships, and elevating respect for all skilled veterinary staff.
How will it be different from other veterinary practices?
PVS Garner will be a paragon of veterinary general medicine by respecting and trusting staff members, delivering clinical excellence, and building trusting relationships with clients and pets.
What are you most excited about regarding your new position at PVS Garner?
I’m most excited to work in an environment where the full extent of my medical experience and training is valued as part of a collaborative care discussion to help pets have a better quality of life.
What do you think pet owners should know about this new practice?
Pet owners should know how deeply we value the human animal bond. We care for each pet as carefully as we would our own, and also acknowledge that every dog comes with a human at the end of the leash, and every carrier has a human holding the handle.
What are your passions in life?
When I’m not spending time with my family, I love kayaking, hiking, and finding places without any cell service. I have two dogs, a cat, a partner who works in renewable energy, and a young daughter who loves turtles and the color purple who all keep me very busy!
Any other thoughts or comments about Dr. Jason or PVS Garner?
I’m so excited to work with you again and build PVS Garner into something amazing and one-of-a-kind!
Veterinary Assistants
Bethany Byers
Veterinary Assistant
Education/Training
BFA photography from University of Iowa in 2011
Previous Employment
Prior to joining PVS Garner, I started working for Banfield Pet Hospital Durham Southpoint in January 2018 where I started as front desk client service coordinator before training as a VA and becoming Shift Lead in 2020. I transferred to Banfield Garner in 2021 and continued as VA and Shift Lead until joining PVS Garner.
Why did you choose a career in veterinary medicine?
I have had a wide range of careers and interests from human medicine, management, graphic design and customer service. I started as a receptionist at a clinic to integrate some of these prior experiences and it opened the doors for me into the field.
Why did you choose to work at PVS Garner?
Working with Dr. Regalado previously was a great experience watching him have the utmost care for the patients as well as their owners. His respect for his team from front desk to VAs and RVTs is also something that our industry struggles with yet he has proven is an important aspect of quality care.
Every day working with Dr. Regalado is a learning experience in the best way. He is always sharing his knowledge and explaining why/how things work or why we do things.
How would you describe Dr. Jason’s approach to his new practice?
Teamwork and quality care. He understands that when you have support staff that are supported and not burnt out like so many in vet med that everyone benefits including our patients. He is always learning about the most up to date and innovative care options and how to integrate them into practice.
How will it be different from other veterinary practices?
This hospital is a team from top to bottom that is focused on an end goal of patient care. From being one of the only AAHA certified clinics in the area and focus on fear free practice it is going to be a clinic atmosphere for pets and clients unique to Garner.
What are you most excited about regarding your new position at PVS Garner?
A staff that has chosen this team to work with and not a revolving door or new hires to replace the experienced burnt out staff.
Being AAHA certified using fear-free techniques, and knowing the team has the same goals.
What do you think pet owners should know about this new practice?
We want to work with owners for the well-being of their pets to keep them healthy and offer the best care possible, including making vet visits as stress-free as possible for pets.
What are your passions in life?
I live in Garner with my partner, three dogs, and a menagerie of reptiles and amphibians. I spend my time in my vegetable garden and turning my yard into a native plants refuge to support native wildlife. I also build custom bioactive terrariums; I enjoy fly fishing, surf fishing, camping and hiking with my partner and dogs.
Any other thoughts or comments about Dr. Jason or PVS Garner?
I can’t wait to see what the next year brings us!
Kylie Ray
Veterinary Assistant
Education/ Training
I have a BS Degree in Digital Media with an Emphasis in Video Production. I am currently in my last semester of grad school, where I am currently pursuing an MS Degree in Executive Management and Leadership.
Previous Employment
I have worked in pet retail for the last six years. I started as a bather in the salon and quickly worked my way into upper management. My area of focus was the pet care department.
Why did I choose a career in veterinary medicine?
I have loved animals my whole life. I was the kid constantly catching and helping every creature I saw and asking my parents, “Could we keep it?!” I recently left my career because my values no longer aligned with the company’s mission. All in all, I want to be a better advocate for animals. I aim to educate and empower pet owners to become better pet parents. As a pet owner of a special needs dog, I include myself in that statement.
How would you describe Dr. Jason’s approach to his new practice?
I have not worked with Dr. Jason before, but we come from similar backgrounds and ideologies in patient care and practice management. Having a boss who cares so much about their staff is refreshing. He seems very supportive and encouraging towards us; I know he will show that same enthusiasm to our clients.
How will it be different than other veterinary practices?
I have never directly worked for a vet office before. I have collaborated with our veterinary partners for special cases and brought store-owned animals to numerous vet specialists. I understand the expectations because I’ve had too many negative interactions.
What excites you most about your new position at PVS?
I am excited to learn and practice a more in-depth and ultimately better, medical approach to animal husbandry.
What should pet owners know about the new practice?
Everyone here will care for your pet as if they were our own. We all know what works and doesn’t work in veterinary medicine. Our top priority is offering animals a comfortable and safe environment in which to receive care without losing their dignity.
What are your passions in life?
My family and I just moved to Kenly, in our first house! We’re finally settling into the area. I have two beautiful children that I’m raising to love animals as much as I do. I am trying to convince my husband to let me get goats for our huge backyard. We currently have one dog and an outdoor cat. I used to have a fish tank as well.
Any other thoughts, questions, or concerns?
I am excited for this opportunity to work with all of you, create content, and meet and care for all creatures, big and small!
Differences Between Veterinary Assistants and Credentialed Veterinary Technicians
In the field of veterinary medicine, both veterinary assistants and credentialed veterinary technicians play crucial roles in supporting veterinarians and ensuring the well-being of animals. While these roles may seem similar to the untrained eye, they have distinct differences in terms of education, responsibilities, and professional credentials.
Veterinary Assistants
- Typically, veterinary assistants receive on-the-job training or complete a certificate program that can last from a few months to a year.
- Formal education requirements for veterinary assistants are minimal, often requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Training focuses on basic animal care, handling, and assisting veterinarians and technicians with routine tasks.
Credentialed Veterinary Technicians
- Credentialed veterinary technicians must complete an accredited veterinary technology program, which usually takes two to four years, resulting in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
- These programs include extensive coursework in animal anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgical nursing, anesthesia, and more.
- After completing their education, veterinary technicians must pass a national and sometimes a state-specific exam to become credentialed, which can be referred to as being a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), or Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), depending on the state.