About TVSC
Tarheel Veterinary Surgery Center is a new concept for advanced surgery for pets. It was founded by Dr. Rebecca Tudor, a board-certified veterinary surgeon with more than 20 years of experience and the owner of Tarheel Veterinary Surgical Specialists, which has served the Triangle and surrounding communities since 2002. Dr. Tudor has been immersed in veterinary medicine since childhood, as her father was a veterinarian and her mother managed their animal hospital. This lifelong background gives her a deep understanding of what pets mean to the families who love them.
Why we do what we do
The best care for your best friend
Our core values:
Team Members
Rebecca Tudor, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr. Rebecca Tudor graduated from the North Carolina State, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. She completed an internship at the University of Georgia, and then returned to NCSU for her surgery residency.
She became a Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2000. Dr. Tudor is part of a select group of veterinary surgeons worldwide who are boarded in both small and large animal surgery. Dr. Tudor founded Tarheel Veterinary Surgical Specialists in 2002 with the purpose of delivering the surgical excellence and personal, compassionate service she would want for her own pets.
In her spare time, Dr. Tudor enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, working out and reading.
Patrick Loftin, DVM, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons-LA
Dr. Patrick Loftin is a North Carolina native and graduated from the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. He completed an internship at Louisiana State University, and then completed his surgical residency and Master’s of Science at Kansas State University. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2016. Dr. Loftin returned to Raleigh in 2018 to join the TVSS team. He loves working with so many wonderful hospitals throughout the Triangle and surrounding areas, providing specialized care for their patients and the pet owners who love them.
Outside of work, he loves spending time with his wife and three children, especially anything involving the outdoors or the Wolfpack!
MacKenzie Whyte DVM, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons-SA
Dr. Whyte is a board-certified veterinary surgeon who joined the TVSC team in 2026. She earned her veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and went on to complete a rotating internship at WestVet Animal Emergency & Specialty Center. Dr. Whyte then completed a small animal surgery residency at Kansas State University, where she also earned a Master of Science and received advanced training in both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery for dogs and cats.
Dr. Whyte became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2024. She is deeply passionate about providing the highest quality surgical care and believes that clear communication and education are essential parts of supporting both pets and their families. She takes pride in helping pet owners feel informed, comfortable, and confident throughout the surgical process.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Whyte enjoys staying active—especially playing pickleball—exploring new restaurants, and spending time outdoors. At home, she loves relaxing with her four cats, Mr. Kitty, Fig, Tinto, and Podrick, who keep her thoroughly entertained.

Jessica McDaniel
Jessica’s roots run deep in North Carolina. Raised along the Neuse River in Eastern North Carolina, she later made the move to Central North Carolina, where she has continued building both her life and her career for the past 15 years.
With almost 20 years in veterinary medicine, Jessica’s journey reflects dedication, resilience, and a true passion for growth. She got her start in vet med as a Certified Veterinary Assistant and steadily advanced to the role of Practice Manager, gaining hands-on clinical knowledge and leadership expertise along the way. Having worked in multiple veterinary practices, she brings a well-rounded perspective to team development, hospital operations, and creating stellar client and patient experiences.
Jessica’s leadership style is driven by a simple but powerful belief…”culture eats strategy for breakfast”. She is committed to creating an environment where both teammates and clients feel valued, supported, and heard. She passionately believes in our mission of providing the highest standard of care to our patients and clients.
Outside of the hospital, Jessica’s heart belongs to horses. An avid equine enthusiast, she spends her free time riding and caring for her beloved “ponies.” She also treasures time with her husband and family, enjoys getting lost in a good book, binge-watching documentaries, and can happily spend hours in any library she finds.

Nicole Allen
Nicole Allen is our senior surgical assistant who has been an integral part of TVSS since 2012. Nicole took a brief hiatus in 2020 after having her daughter but has been back with TVSS since 2021.Nicole grew up in Massachusetts and moved to North Carolina as a teenager. She spent several years in Charleston, SC before moving to Raleigh in 2012.
With over 20 years in the veterinary field, Nicole has worked in various areas of veterinary medicine, including emergency and general medicine, but her true love is of veterinary surgery and especially orthopedics.
Nicole has two cats Lily, a stray, who wandered up to her house and never left and ZuZu who was found under a car hood sitting next to the engine. Her newest addition is Fenway, a rescue from Charlie’s Rescue. When Nicole is not working, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Reagan. Nicole loves everything about CrossFit and she’s a Level One trainer. Her love of sports, especially the Red Sox and Patriots, keep her attention when she’s not chasing around her young daughter, her rescue pup or her two wild kitties.

Jonathan Pearce, RVT
Jonathan is a veterinary technician that grew up in Wake Forest. He started his journey in Veterinary Medicine over 2 decades ago in high school and never looked back. Jonathan has worked many different aspects of the field, mostly in general practice. With all his experience, surgery has always been one of his biggest passions. He does have his Veterinary Technician Degree and recently passed his Veterinary Technician National Examination to become a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).
When Jonathan is not working, he enjoys spending time with his son. He also loves going to the beach, doing Spartan races, photography, fishing, and anything car related. He is also a big fan of college football and professional soccer. His four dogs include a Pitbull mix, Rottweiler, Boxer, and French Bulldog. There are also two cats to round out the family.

Josh Rohde
Josh comes to TVSS from the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine where he worked as a veterinary assistant. He is currently enrolled in Penn Foster College working towards his goal of becoming a registered veterinary technician. With a strong interest in exotic veterinary medicine, he hopes to one day have the opportunity to work with a variety of exotic animals including his favorite – giraffes.
Josh grew up in North Carolina and currently resides in Raleigh with his two dogs, Sadie and Nevaeh, and cat Gary. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and gardening as well as spending time with his friends and family.

Mary Good, RVT
Mary has been a Registered Veterinary Technician for nearly 10 years. Most of that time was spent in general practice, where she worked closely with TVSS and discovered her true calling in anesthesia. She has welcomed and mentored many veterinary technician externs along the way. Mary’s passion for anesthesia, analgesia, and keeping every patient safe and comfortable is what ultimately led her to specialty practice.
When she’s not in the OR advocating for her patients, Mary enjoys taking ballet classes, exploring Raleigh’s parks and playgrounds with her young daughter, and volunteering with Triangle Beagle Rescue of North Carolina—where she’s usually the first one sneaking extra treats to the beagles waiting for their forever homes.

Katelyn O’Brien
Katelyn originally joined TVSS as a surgical assistant in 2021 but took a year off to welcome her first son. With a deep-rooted passion for veterinary medicine, she knew she wanted to return to the field and continue making a difference in the lives of pets and their people.
With hands-on experience in surgical care, Katelyn has developed a strong foundation in animal health and a deep appreciation for the precision, teamwork, and compassion that veterinary medicine requires. Transitioning into client communication has allowed her to combine her clinical background with her love for educating and connecting with pet owners—ensuring they feel informed, supported, and confident in their pet’s care.
Originally from New Jersey, Katelyn moved south in 2016 to earn her degree in Biology from Coastal Carolina University. At home, she enjoys the company of her two dogs, Berkley and Rhea, and two cats, Tina and Oliver. Outside of work, you can find her soaking up the sun at the beach, spending time outdoors, or diving into new hobbies whenever she can.

Cameron Lamm
Cam is a lifelong North Carolina local with a love for animals, people, and staying curious. After graduating from Corinth Holders High School in 2020, Cameron stepped into the restaurant industry and eventually became an Assistant Manager. With over five years of experience, Cameron has learned how to balance responsibilities, lead a team, and keep things running smoothly while staying people-focused. In December 2025, Cameron began working at TVSC. Having grown up around animals and volunteered caring for them throughout life, this passion has always been a big part of who Cameron is. Outside of work, Cameron enjoys reading, cooking, learning about animals, keeping up with favorite shows, and spending time with family—including two fun but crazy kittens, Casper and Farrah. When it’s time to unwind, you’ll most likely find Cameron outdoors, especially in the mountains of Blowing Rock.

Kyra Raphael
Kyra joins TVSC as a Veterinary Surgical Assistant, bringing prior experience from general practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with honors from UNC Charlotte, where she conducted undergraduate research focused on inflammation and the tumor microenvironment. This work strengthened her understanding of disease processes, laboratory diagnostics, and the importance of strict sterile technique—skills that translate directly to her role in surgery.
While in college, Kyra worked as a pet sitter, where she discovered her talent for client communication and her ability to care for each pet based on their individual routines, personalities, and needs. Her love for animals, however, started long before that. Kyra has a lifelong passion for animal care and has fostered kittens and puppies through the Wake County Animal Center for many years, including rehabilitating numerous injured and sick animals.
She grew up with five cats and two dogs—all foster fails—and currently has one cat of her own named Maple, who is her snuggly shadow. In her free time, Kyra likes to listen to music, go fishing with her dad, cook, and spend time with her family and friends. Kyra’s (hopefully not so long-term!) goal is to attend veterinary school. She values every opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute within a collaborative clinical environment.
We are located at:
Tarheel Veterinary Surgical Specialists
7016 Harps Mill Road, Suite 103
Raleigh, NC 27615

