Meet Our Doctors & Staff

Dr. John Howland has been practicing veterinary medicine in the greater Asheville area since 1998. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where he attended the Westminster Schools. He is a 1997 graduate of the University Of Georgia College Of Veterinary Medicine, and holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.

As a veterinary student, he participated in externships at Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, the Animal Medical Center in New York City and at private practices in Edinburgh and Tain, Scotland. After graduating, he completed a one year rotating internship in Small Animal Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Emergency Medicine & Critical Care at the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Akron, Ohio: a multispecialty referral center and 24 hour care emergency hospital. Dr. Howland enjoys the challenging diversity of small animal general practice and foregrounds preventative healthcare and client education in his practice style. As a general practitioner, he has a special interest in complex dermatology cases and clinical diagnosis by laboratory methods. He also works closely with a network of board certified specialists in different disciplines and sees that his patients have access to the most advanced care veterinary medicine has to offer. Dr. Howland is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, and is an Elite Level Fear Free Certified Veterinarian.

When not on the clinic floor, he savors time spent with his wife Donna and their two dogs, Kayla and Jill. His many interests outside of veterinary medicine include reading, cooking, music, film, art, yoga, and pollinator gardening with native and culinary plants. He considers it a privilege to live and practice veterinary medicine in a region as beautiful and culturally rich as the mountains of western North Carolina and is proud that he and his family are a part of this vibrant community.

My name is Andy Jacobsen, and I have been in the animal care industry for 6 years. I have worked as a dog walker/pet sitter, an animal care attendant for the Humane Society, an animal control officer, and now a veterinary assistant. My goal is to obtain my veterinary technician certification to further my knowledge of animal care. I live with my amazing wife Dani and our perfect infant daughter Margot. We have 2 fur babies as well: the fluffy malamute mix Midge and the small and scruffy terrier mix Phoebe.   

My name is Bre. I am one of the Certified Veterinary Assistants here at White Oak. I got my certification through AB-Tech community college about 2 years ago, and I am currently in school to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. I have been in this field for 5 years now, and my dream is to one day work with large exotic animals! I knew from a young age that my passion was to work with animals. When I was little, I would try to save anything and everything I could. My goal in this field is to be a voice for your fur babies and to help you and your little ones grow together and understand one another. 

Hi, I’m Charity I grew up in Black Mountain NC and I have worked in Veterinary Medicine for over 18 years.  When I’m not making sure your furbabies are getting the best care possible I enjoy crafting and DIY projects.  My husband Mike and I share our home with our Pit named Kodak. Even though my kiddos Dakota and Gracie are both adults they will forever be my babies.  

Fun fact about me I love cheese and gummy bears! 

Originally from Jupiter, FL, Ivy now calls the Asheville area home. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and brings a strong passion for animal behavior and the field of animal sheltering. Ivy is dedicated to helping animals thrive in both medical and behavioral health.

Outside of work, Ivy’s creativity shines through her love for all forms of art. She’s also an avid bird enthusiast and can often be found birdwatching or learning more about her feathered friends.

For Ivy, the most rewarding part of working in veterinary care is seeing juvenile pets grow, mature, and thrive alongside their families. Watching these pets become cherished members of their households over time brings her immense joy and fulfillment.

Hello, my name is Paige; I am a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). I graduated from AB Tech in 2023, and I’ve been in the veterinary medical field since 2021. My fiancé and I have 2 cats, Lily and Rhysand, and I’m particularly passionate about caring for our feline friends through Fear Free practices (say that 5 times fast!). When I’m not caring for your pets during their visits, surgical procedures, or emergencies, I can be found either reading a good book or playing a video game. I look forward to caring for all your fur babies!