Meet Our Staff

Hans Bernhard, DVM

Dr. Bernhard is a Raleigh native. He has been a member of the Holly Springs Veterinary Hospital team since completing veterinary school at North Carolina State University in 2005. In 2018, he joined forces with NC based Vets Pets veterinary management group to become a managing partner at Holly Springs Veterinary Hospital. He has a deep passion for client, employee, and patient care.

Away from the office, “Dr. B” loves spending time with his husband Mitch and their two children, Eva and Landon – often taking trips to the beach or traveling to the nearest baseball park to watch a game. During the winter, he enjoys traveling to the most majestic mountain he can find to go downhill skiing. His personal pets include dogs, Molly & Belle and cats, Myrtle & Stormy.

Aaron Tolhurst, DVM

Dr. Tolhurst is a 2012 graduate of the North Carolina State University – College of Veterinary Medicine, where he focused his studies in small animal medicine. His particular interests include preventive medicine and surgery. Prior to attending veterinary school, he received a BS degree in Biology in 2003 from Penn State Erie – The Behrend College in Erie, Pennsylvania. He moved to North Carolina in 2008 and still misses the snowy Pennsylvania winters.

When not at work, Dr. Tolhurst enjoys home improvement projects, relaxing outdoors, and spending time with his wife and their cat named Miles.

Katie Jackson, DVM

Meet Dr. Katie Jackson, a dynamic vet who’s journeyed from the rolling hills of North Carolina to California’s Central Valley to the snowy settings of Vermont, expertly handling everything from cows, sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas to toy poodles. A Chapel Hill native and a double alumna of NCSU, Dr. Jackson completed an 8-year stint at her alma mater, earning a B.S. in Animal Science and then her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She is now back in the Raleigh area, juggling life with her husband, daughter and twin boys, while fondly remembering her beloved dogs, Honey and Kailey. She loves general practice for the variety and ability to focus on preventive medicine but also has a budding interest in dermatology. Dr. Jackson likes to combine humor with heartfelt care, ensuring everyone feels welcome. She is happy to have any uninterrupted free time at the moment and hopes to continue baking her way through life!

Sandi Foley, Practice Manager

Sandi was born and raised in the Midwest. Sandi just joined our team in November of 2020. Her previous veterinary positions allowed her to transition into the hospital and team with ease.
Growing up Sandi had horses, dogs, and farm cats. She learned how to care for, respect, and appreciate animals at a young age. Her passion for animals continued to grow and she eventually became a horse trainer and instructor which allowed her a flexible schedule while raising a family.

Her goal at HSVH is to ensure that our clients’ as well as their pets’ needs are met. Sometimes situations are difficult and stressful, but she does her best to make each client feel welcome and comfortable. When not at work, she’s an outdoorsy girl at heart. You can find her on the water (skiing, tubing, or just relaxing) or in the mountains (hiking, camping, or snow skiing). You can always find her two Aussies tagging along as well, Mr. Snix and Sapphire. She feels blessed that the HSVH team has opened their arms to her and allowed her to share her love of animals and experience with them.

Ivy, RVT

Ivy was born and raised in Chapel Hill. She graduated from UNCG with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She then went to Penn Foster to obtain her Veterinary Technician degree. She obtained her RVT licensure in May of this year. She has been working in veterinary medicine for 10 years and has always enjoyed working with animals. She just started here at Holly Springs Veterinary Hospital in July and loves it here. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 dogs and 2 cats. She also enjoys reading and going to concerts.

Corinna, RVT

Corinna grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Appalachian State University in 2017. She then attended Central Carolina Community College to obtain her Veterinary Technician degree from 2021 to 2023. Corinna received her RVT licensure in July 2023 and has been working in veterinary medicine for about four years. She is passionate about veterinary medicine and strives to make all her patients feel comfortable. Corinna joined Holly Springs Veterinary Hospital in April 2024 and loves it.

She has a three-year-old husky named Starky, a five-year-old beagle named Tulip, and a four-year-old cat named Jake. In her spare time, Corinna enjoys reading, hiking with her pups, and hula hooping.

Jackie, RVT

Meet Jackie Raffo, a passionate Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) who relocated to Cary in 2020 from Florida. Jackie graduated from City College Hollywood in Florida in March 2020, earning her A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology. She swiftly passed the VTNE and obtained her license in July 2020.

Jackie is married and has two children, as well as a twelve-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier named Cupcake. Some of her favorite hobbies include playing video games, spending time with family and friends, hanging out with Cupcake, and enjoying nature. She is a caring, funny, and dedicated nurse who always has the needs of you and your pets in mind.

Alyssa, Veterinary Assistant

Alyssa grew up in Sanford, NC, and has always had a deep love for animals and volunteering with various rescue groups. As a child, her parents grew accustomed to her bringing home lost puppies, stray kitties, and trying to nurse injured birds back to health. Over the years, she has volunteered at the SPCA of Monterey County, Wake County SPCA, and Operation Catnip of Raleigh.

Alyssa also has a passion for service and served in the U.S. Army from 2013 to 2020 in Intelligence and Foreign Languages. After her honorable discharge from the Army, she returned to her roots in North Carolina to pursue a career in caring for companion animals. She is currently a Veterinary Assistant at HSVH and a student in Purdue University’s Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program. Alyssa holds an Associate of Arts degree in Persian-Farsi and Russian, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Studies.

Alyssa lives in southern Wake County with her husband, young son, three dogs, a much-loved and cared-for neighborhood feral cat colony, and 10 chickens. In her free time, she enjoys attending indie rock concerts, traveling, and playing with her son and dogs.

Avery, Veterinary Assistant

Avery was raised in Southport, NC. She has always had a passion for working with all types of animals from cats and dogs to horses and exotics. Avery has two small dogs, Sasha and Rascal, two cats and two reptiles. Avery is currently attending the Veterinary Technician program at Penn Foster College and plans to become an RVT upon graduating. Outside of work Avery enjoys spending time with her animals, reading, and doing arts and crafts.

Ashlee, Veterinary Assistant

Ashlee was born and raised in Middletown, New York, and moved to North Carolina to attend undergraduate school. She graduated from Barton College in May 2024 with a double major in biology and psychology, with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. Ashlee has always aspired to work with animals, with the specific goal of becoming a veterinarian. She hopes to attend NC State to earn her DVM.

Ashlee has a dog named Brady and two cats named Precious and Rambo, whom she loves very much. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, nature, crafting, and spending time with her family.

Karina, Veterinary Assistant

Karina was born and raised in Puerto Rico and moved recently to the area from Miami, Florida. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry from Florida State University. She is also fluent in Spanish. In her free time, she likes to bake, travel, and go to concerts. This is her first job in veterinary medicine and hopes to continue learning and growing in the field for a long time.

Rachel, Veterinary Assistant

Rachel was born in Philadelphia, PA, and moved to North Carolina in 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bryn Athyn College. Rachel loves all animals and has a few of her own, including birds, frogs, hermit crabs, and a guinea pig. She has worked in the veterinary industry for four years.

Deborah, Receptionist

Deborah was born in Oxford, UK and has been in the U.S. since 1981, living in several states. Deborah has four children: Heather, Jeremy, Olivia and Miles, and five dogs: Jasper, Lucie, Oreo, Lola and Eazel. Deborah has always loved animals and has been a foster mom for dogs and horses. She enjoys walking, camping, swimming, gardening (flowers) and horse riding.

William, Receptionist 

William grew up in Illinois. He has been volunteering with humane societies for six years and was awarded for his dedication to caring for animals. In his free time he enjoys creating art, jewelry, embroidery and playing board games with friends.  

Harper, Kennel Tech

Hello! My name is Harper Rains and I am a junior in high school. I have two dogs, a Siberian Husky and a Lab mix. I absolutely love dogs and my favorite
part of being a kennel technician is working and taking care of new furry
friends each weekend. When I get older I hope to work in the stem field for
environmental sustainability.

Isabel, Kennel Tech

Born and raised in Illinois, Isabel moved to North Carolina in 2022 to pursue her education in animal care and health. She is currently a student at North Carolina State University, majoring in animal science and hoping to continue her studies in veterinary college. In her free time, Isabel enjoys taking care of her dog, Perry, as well as drawing and playing video games.