Meet Our Staff
Vista Falls is no ordinary Veterinary Hospital
Our extra special group of caring professionals are what sets us apart!
Having a modern facility with state of the art equipment is a huge plus for any Veterinary Hospital competing in today’s marketplace, but it’s not the primary characteristic that sets them apart from their competitors. The single most distinguishing feature that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary Veterinary Hospital is the people who treat and care for the patients.
The staff members of Vista Falls Veterinary Hospital are a special group of people that truly care about your pet. Perhaps more importantly, they have the training, skills and experience that are required to provide your pet with the correct diagnosis and treatment in order to restore their health and give you peace of mind.
Dr. Tim Emery, DVM
Dr. CJ Dabiero, DVM
Sarah Stertzbach, RVT
Jessica MacGregor, RVT
Liane Hendry, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
Dr. Tim Emery, DVM - Veterinarian
I received my BS degree from Tulsa University and then my DVM degree from Oklahoma State in 1989. Upon graduation, I joined a partnership in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I began a satellite practice, Woodland Animal Hospital South. After several years, I sold my partnership and moved to Gastonia, NC to perform surgery for four hospitals with Veterinary Healthcare Associates. I then moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina and after two years opened Etowah Valley Veterinary Hospital. My family and I were led to sell this practice in 2005 to enter the mission field where we lived and served as missionaries in Debre’ Zeit, Ethiopia for two years. This was followed by time in Milot, Haiti, Zambia and Uganda. We most recently completed a three year mission stent in Mafikeng, South Africa with Christian Veterinary Mission, teaching degree and diploma students in Animal Health Studies and sharing the Gospel through a new church plant in the local village of Lokaleng. We moved back to the States in November 2015.
In April, 2017, I founded Vista Falls Veterinary Hospital, in scenic Mills River, North Carolina, where I plan to practice for many years to come.
My beautiful bride, Cathi, and I have been blessed with nine wonderful children, a golden retriever, Suma, a miniature yorkie, Mondu, and Berne-doodle, Fynn-lee and one cat, Max. In practice, surgery is my special interest but enjoy all aspects of veterinary medicine. “Furry Pediatrics” is my specialty. I enjoy sharing the Gospel, hiking, camping and building projects with my family.
Dr. CJ Dabiero, DVM - Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Dabiero grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He graduated from Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 and finished his clinical studies at Auburn University. He spent three years in a general practice before moving back home to North Carolina. Dr. Dabiero and his wife, Rebecca who is veterinarian oncologist at Upstate Specialty Hospital, have a young son and two labs.
Dr. Dabiero is an avid outdoorsman whose passions include, hiking, fishing, camping and wood working. In his professional life, Dr. CJ’s interests include ultrasonography and surgery.
Sarah Stertzbach, RVT - Registered Veterinary Technician
Sarah recently graduated from the technician program at AB Tech in August of 2020. She is the middle child of three girls. Originally from Ohio, her family relocated to North Carolina in 2008.
When she is not taking care of animals at work and school, she enjoys spending time with her cat, Callie, and dog, Turbo. When not in her scrubs, you can catch her spending time with her closest friends.
Fun fact: Sarah’s BFF is a cat
Jessica MacGregor , RVT - Registered Veterinary Technician
Jessica grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia. She lived in Murfreesboro, TN for 15 years and moved to NC 8 years ago. She graduated from Penn Foster, an online distant learning program 5 years ago, but has been in practice with the veterinary industry for over 20 years.
She enjoys relaxing by the campfire on cool evenings with her husband and 2 kids. She also enjoys Hiking, kayaking, and gardening on the weekends. She has 7 beautiful chickens, 3 cats, and a handsome, mix breed dog named Hitch.
Taylor Mihalow, Veterinary Assistant
Taylor just recently moved to the Asheville area from her hometown of Patton, Pennsylvania. She grew up with horses, dogs, and cats on her family’s farm. She has many years of small and large animal experience. She graduated from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health Science and a minor in Biology.
She has a Border Collie named Obi Wan Kenobi. She also just got engaged to her fiancé Paul. In her spare time she loves doing artwork, binge watching different Netflix shows, working out, and going hiking.
Liane Hendry, RVT - Registered Veterinary Technician
Liane entered the veterinary field after high school, enrolling in a Horse Management program in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She also attended Bel-Rae Institute of Animal Technology, receiving her Applied Science degree in Veterinary Sciences in 1993. She then moved to North Carolina where she married her best friend, David Hendry, a career Army Special Operations Green Beret. Liane received her NC RVT certification in 1998 working with both VSRP Specialty Animal Hospital in Cary, NC and Clayton Animal Hospital in Clayton as the lead Surgical/Anesthesia Technician.
In 2008, she and her family moved to Maryland and Liane took a break from veterinary work for 12 years. In 2020, Liane and her family relocated to Hendersonville and rejuvenated her veterinary career with Vista Falls in 2022.
Outside of work, Liane enjoys traveling, hiking, biking and camping with her husband and her two boxers. She also enjoys the relaxation of gardening and doing her many crafts.
Hiba Almaared – Receptionist
Hiba Almaared grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico before moving permanently to North Carolina with her best friend. Her Passion for animals started at a very early age and led her to the veterinary profession. She aspires to be a “cat lady,” owning three cats currently, but hoping to add more to the family soon. One day she would like to open a rescue for cats and dogs in need. She brings with her a wealth of experience in the veterinary industry and an ever pleasant smile.
Dalia Cabral - Receptionist
Dalia is one of the newest members to join our team. She started volunteering at animal shelters at an early age which eventually led her to the veterinary field. A few years ago Dalia went on a camping trip across the US and decided to stay in Asheville. She now lives here full time and has three cats but loves all animals large and small.
Besides her love of animals, Dalia loves nature. She like to go camping, hiking, and rock climbing. You can also catch her working on DIY projects in her spare time.
Hailey Brock - Veterinary Assistant
Hailey was born in Melbourne, Florida and moved to WNC when she was four years old. She is currently in the veterinary technician program at AB Tech community college, but has been in the field as a veterinary assistant for almost two years. She has two dogs named Waylen and Harley, two cats named Tip and Strawberry, as well as a leopard gecko named Beth and fish that she adores. In her free time, she like to spend time with her girlfriend cleaning and organizing their home.