WESTSIDE ANIMAL HOSPITAL - Key Persons
Dr. Betsy Williams is excited to be returning to Westside Animal Hospital where she started her veterinary career as an assistant over a decade ago.
She grew up in Pennsylvania but has made the Triangle her home since 2001. After an undergraduate degree in English from Haverford College and a Master's in Geology from Duke University, she was finally able to live out her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian by attending NC State College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Williams believes in working as a partner with pet owners to make the best decisions for both them and their pets. She has a special place in her heart for senior and geriatric pets and works hard to provide them with a high quality of life and, when needed, a peaceful passing.
Her household currently includes Sasha the fluffy chow/golden mix, a slightly grumpy tabby cat named Tiger, and Rocket the guinea pig. Outside of work, she loves to hike, camp, and read, and also plays in the Durham Community Concert Band.
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian
- Owner and Medical Director of Westside Animal Hospital since Moving to Durham
Dr. Don Hoover has been the owner and medical director of Westside Animal Hospital since moving to Durham in 1992.
He attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh and received his BS in Animal Science in 1985. He was awarded his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. Dr. Hoover has a special interest in dentistry and oral surgery. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (AVD). Fellows in the AVD have had additional training in veterinary dentistry and have passed a credentialing process and examination to achieve Fellow status.
In his spare time, he enjoys cycling and fishing, as well as spending time with his wife, seven kids, and his two dogs, Daisy (pictured here) and Pickle.
*Dr. Hoover no longer practices general veterinary medicine, as his focus is now advanced dentistry at our sister practice, The Veterinary Dental Clinic of North Carolina (VDCNC).
Dr. Mayer joined the Westside Animal Hospital team in the summer of 2022.
She grew up in Virginia and attended college at the University of Virginia where she double majored in Biology and Spanish. Dr. Mayer graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. After completing a rigorous year-long internship at a specialty and emergency veterinary practice in Delaware, she moved to North Carolina where she spent 6.5 years in general veterinary practice prior to joining Westside Animal Hospital.
Dr. Mayer's professional interests are numerous. She particularly enjoys internal medicine, preventive care, dentistry, and building long-term relationships with her patients and their families. In her free time, she enjoys going on adventures with her toddler, hiking, gardening and spending time with family.
Susan Tuttle is our valued Hospital Manager at Westside Animal Hospital.