Meet Our Veterinary Team
Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Kennesaw Mountain Animal Hospital. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets.
Get To Know Our Veterinary Team
About Dr. Carrie Friedewald
A native of Marietta, Dr. Carrie attended Davidson College on a volleyball scholarship, earning degrees in biology and psychology. She headed to the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine to earn her veterinary degree. She was honored with a class Award for Excellence in Internal Medicine and Surgery before graduating in 2002.
A Veterinarian is Born
Dr. Carrie Friedewald (Dr. Carrie) grew up with all sorts of dogs and cats, but her family’s Alaskan Malamute, Shadow, made a permanent impression. One day, Shadow came down with a dangerous case of bloat. During Shadow’s week in ICU, Dr. Carrie’s inquisitive nature needed to know what was happening and why. Shadow fully recovered, and “the seed had been planted”, sending a young Dr. Carrie on a trajectory to become a Veterinarian.
Fast forward to 2010…
She practiced for eight years in the Kennesaw and Marietta area before she realized that there was a need for a family-focused, small-animal hospital. She decided to make that a reality and opened Kennesaw Mountain Animal Hospital in 2010. With particular interests in internal medicine, oncology, soft tissue surgery, cardiology, and pain management, she has brought to life a premiere stress-free, family-focused practice through compassion, knowledge, and consistency.
Accomplishments
- Atlanta Magazine: 5-Star Veterinarian Award 2010
- Cobb Life Magazine: Named One of 20 Rising Stars Under Forty 2010
- UGA College of Veterinary Medicine: Award for Excellence in Internal Medicine and Surgery
Homelife
Hollie E…”Dr. Carrie Friedewald is an Angel in disguise. She and her staff were the best thing that could have ever happened to my best friend Baron and myself.”
About Dr. Rachel Lopez
Bio coming soon!
About Dr. Melissa Roberts
Dr. Melissa was born in Germany thanks to her father’s military career and graduated high school in Mississippi. She earned her Associates Degree in Science from Northwest Community College before attending Mississippi State University to receive her Animal and Dairy Science Bachelor’s degree with a minor in Biochemistry. Dr. Roberts then remained at Mississippi State to earn her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine while simultaneously completing a Master’s Degree in Veterinary Science with an emphasis on Beef Cattle and Toxicology. Dr. Roberts served as her class vice president, president of her academic fraternity, and the faculty-chosen student representative at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s second Veterinary Leadership Experience conference.
Destined to Become a Veterinarian
Fast forward to 2010…
Dr. Roberts relocated to Kennesaw from Seattle, Washington pending her husband’s upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Spending the majority of her time working as a mobile veterinarian for large animals, predominantly horses; she began her tenure at Kennesaw Mountain Animal Hospital when the hospital opened in 2010. In 2011 she switched her focus exclusively to small-animal medicine. With a passion for surgical procedures, dental health, and preventative medicine, Dr. Roberts treats her patients daily with experienced knowledge and skills.
Accomplishments
- Georgia Veterinary Medicine Association (GVMA)
Member Since 2015 - Georgia Veterinary Medicine Association Power of Ten, Leadership Group: One of Ten Georgia Veterinarians Chosen to Sit on the Inaugural Board.
- 2018 Clare B. Reagan Graduate Award:
For Her Leadership in Georgia Veterinary Medicine.
Homelife
About Dr. Kate Kent
A Midwest native from Wisconsin, Dr. Kate is an Alumni of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. She firmly believes that our animal friends bring our conscious and unconscious awareness to so many experiences in life to which we would otherwise be oblivious. They open our minds and hearts every day and make us healthier humans for it. Dr. Kate became a veterinarian to help support this bond and teach people how to return these gifts our animal companions give us. Dr. Kate is particularly interested in geriatric care, behavior, and surgery. She is an active advocate for dental health, as she is amazed at how much a pet’s quality of life is improved once their dental disease is addressed.
A Journey For The Welfare of Animals
Upon completing her undergraduate studies, she worked as an assistant for a veterinary orthopedic surgery practice. Her final phase of education began at Auburn University, where she continued to explore surgery and pathology, in addition to exotic and aquatic medicine. Shortly after graduation, she landed her first position as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at another hospital, and now she has come full circle, returning to Kennesaw Mountain Animal Hospital.
Homelife
About Dr. Mary McTague
Bio Coming Soon
Hannah Layton aka Layton
Practice Administrator
Hannah grew up on the coast of Maine with her parents, a younger sister, and a myriad of family pets. While in high school, she job shadowed a veterinarian for a year, and that’s when she realized her passion for helping our four-legged family members in some capacity. Fast forward a few years, and Hannah was offered a reception position at a local veterinary practice. She jumped at the opportunity and stayed for eight years.
With extensive small animal knowledge, Hannah went to work for an animal ophthalmology practice, where she gained knowledge of the treatment for glaucoma, cataracts, and other ophthalmic issues. Eventually, she came to us and began life at KMAH as Client Services Manager. Ultimately, it led to her current role as Practice Administrator, a position Hannah has always considered a dream job due to her knowledge, compassion, and love for small animals. She is now very content with cultivating a rapport with clients and their pets while watching our young patients grow into mature companions.
Hannah and her long-time partner, Brent, live in Powder Springs and are parents to a rambunctious English Bulldog, Peanut, who strives to be the best social butterfly he can be. As she is a huge Patriots fan, football season is like a four-month holiday for her. Aside from football, she and Brent enjoy traveling and going to concerts. We are so glad Hannah and her compassion for animal care have found their way to us.
Jane Thornton
Practice Manager
Jane recalls waiting outside her parent’s house for squirrels as a child, holding a peanut in her hand to entice the little creatures into coming close. She developed patience and a rapport with animals; the squirrels developed big bellies! Jane has always known that a career in the veterinary world would be a dream come true.
An Atlanta native, Jane worked as a legal assistant for many years before volunteering at an animal hospital, which jumpstarted her desire to work in the veterinary field. Dr. Carrie Friedewald had been Jane’s veterinarian at another animal clinic, and Jane jumped at the chance to join forces. She’s been a member of the Kennesaw Mountain Animal Hospital family since its inception.
Michelle Tillery
Day Play Manager
Bio coming soon!
Tyler Sells
Dog Trainer
Bio coming soon!
Marissa Bibbs
Groomer
Marissa’s personality blends perfectly with grooming. As a yoga and meditation instructor, she possesses a calm about her that our client’s pets pick up on. She has groomed cats and dogs that, before her, would need to be sedated to groom; now, they are groomed regularly without stress or drugs.
She enjoys volunteering at farms, as it puts her in touch with all kinds of wildlife, which explains how she became the mother of a sweet pig named Layla. Layla shares mom’s affection with two cats, Mercedes and Mitzi, several fish, and an Axolotl named Casper. Casper is a Mexican Walking Fish that does different poses in his aquarium to get Marissa to feed him…kind of like Layla’s pig.
A Georgia native, Marissa practices Buddhism and Hinduism and enjoys art, music, dance, and hula-hooping. An avid outdoors person, she hikes the Appalachian Trail, does caving, practice shoots at gun ranges, and loves music festivals. As a very compassionate person, Marissa has great empathy for animals and their owners and is grateful to play a role in helping them get the most out of life. Marissa believes through confidence, skill, love, and compassion; a pet can relax enough to view grooming as a positive experience. Marissa embodies the calm, stress-free mindset we pride ourselves on, and we couldn’t be happier to have her as part of the Family.
Robin Robinson
Technician Manager
Bio coming soon
Blake Tarnoff
Kennel Manager
Bio coming soon