Ashley Whitesell, DVM

Dr. Whitesell is originally from Gastonia, N.C., and is a graduate of Ashbrook High School. She received her undergraduate degrees in Zoology and Animal Science from North Carolina State University. Her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine was completed in 2014 from NC State College of Veterinary Medicine where her studies were focused on companion animals and avian and exotic animal medicine. She was awarded Clinical Proficiency in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Avian & Zoological Medicine: Companion Zoological Medicine by NCSU CVM. Participating in teaching and facilitating veterinary medicine in Costa Rica and Spain has cultivated her interest in international veterinary medicine.

Dr. Whitesell was pleased to join the staff at Dickson Animal Clinic in June 2014. When not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her cat Gigi, rock climbing, scuba diving, and volunteering at the Raptor Rehabilitation Center in Huntersville, N.C. She is also an active member of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Gastonia.

Richard V. Hovis, DVM

Dr. Hovis is originally from Lowell, N.C. He received his undergraduate degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1985 in zoology. He then attended North Carolina State University and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1989. His first year was spent practicing in Charlotte before joining the Dickson Animal Clinic team in 1990. He has been a past president of the Southern Piedmont Veterinary Medical Association and is currently helping with the Gaston County Animal Control Task Force.

A. M. Spencer, III, DVM

Dr. Spencer is originally from Gastonia, N.C. He attended his first three years of college at North Carolina State University and then gained early acceptance into the veterinary school of Georgia. He graduated from both North Carolina State University with a degree in biology and the University of Georgia with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1973. He has been practicing veterinary medicine since 1973 at Dickson Animal Clinic.

Dr. Spencer retired this year but will still be an instrumental member of our team. Retirement will not keep Dr. Spencer away from Dickson Animal Clinic so you may see him in our office from time to time

Cindy Lichty, DVM

Dr. Lichty received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Central Florida. She then graduated with the highest honors from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies in 2002, after completing her senior year at Oklahoma State University. 

Dr. Lichty worked as an associate veterinarian at an emergency and critical care hospital in Atlanta, Georgia for 2 years. She then moved into the position of Professional Services Veterinarian for a global pharmaceutical company where she has spent the last several years. In that role, she educated veterinarians in the southeast on vaccination protocols, heartworm prevention and treatment protocols, and pain management. She joined Dickson Animal Clinic in 2019 as a part-time associate veterinarian.

In her free time, Dr. Lichty enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, playing with her black Labrador Retriever named Mavis, cooking, and reading.

Kristen Levine, DVM

Dr. Levine received her Bachelor of Arts in Zoology and Psychology in 1989 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She worked as a Research Technician for the University of Cincinnati Department of Environmental Health until she entered veterinary school in 1993. She attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine completing her senior year in partnership with the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with highest honors in 1996.

Margo Huneycutt, DVM

Dr. Huneycutt grew up in Gastonia, NC and completed her Bachelor’s in Biology at UNC Charlotte in 2015. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she worked as a veterinary assistant and spent her free time volunteering at local veterinary hospitals. In 2021, she completed her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University with a focus in small animal medicine. Dr. Huneycutt enjoys preventative medicine, general surgery, orthopedics, and is interested in ultrasonography.

Outside of the hospital, you will find her spending time with her husband and their 3 dogs, Brody, Demi, and Max. She also likes running and being outdoors whenever possible. Dr. Huneycutt is very excited to join Dickson Animal Clinic and can’t wait to meet your furry companions!

Sue Russell

Office Manager

Our office manager is Sue Russell. Sue was born in Indiana but spent her teenage and early adult years in the Cincinnati OH area. She started working in 1980 in the veterinary profession as a kennel person and worked her way up to a lab tech and receptionist. In 1987 she moved to Gastonia and started work for Dickson Animal Clinic as a receptionist. She is now the office manager and resides in Grover with her many dogs, cats, goats, and lizards.