A Refreshing Veterinary Practice

Dr. Leggett was born and raised in western North Carolina around Asheville. He attended The University of North Carolina at Wilmington for undergraduate where he received a bachelors degree in marine biology. He then received his DVM from The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019; since graduation he has been at Essex Middle River Veterinary Center before joining Grand Oaks in August of 2021.

His professional interests include surgery, ophthalmology, dentistry, and cardiology. In his free time, Dr. Leggett likes to waterski, workout, hike with his Golden Retriever, and restore old automobiles.

Dr. Kimberly Alexander spent most of her childhood at her father’s veterinary practice while growing up in Columbia, SC. She was inspired to follow in her father’s footsteps to become a veterinarian.

Dr. Alexander completed her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina and her veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating from veterinary school, she spent nine years in New York City, which included a rotating medical and surgical internship, as well as, heading the Community Practice Department at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan.

In 2014, Dr. Alexander decided to move back to South Carolina to be closer to her family. Dr. Alexander’s professional interests include surgery and dermatology. Her personal interests include horseback riding, cooking and spending time with her husband and son.

Dr. Kelsey Berry is originally from Richlands, Virginia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Her professional interests include internal medicine and dentistry, and she is passionate about delivering thoughtful, high-quality care to every patient she sees. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Berry enjoys spending time at the beach, riding her bike, and catching live music.

She is excited to be a part of the Grand Oaks Animal Hospital team and looks forward to providing compassionate care to your beloved pets! 

A Charleston native who discovered vet med in 2023, where her love for it blossomed, leaving her currently working towards her LVT. A fur-momma to 5; Critter the beagle mix, Elmer the French bulldog, Peter Quill the hedgehog, and Kylo and Willy, the feline crew. 

In her free time she enjoys fishing, playing ice hockey, and spending time with friends and family.

Hope, born and raised in Summerville, SC, developed a passion for veterinary medicine early on, volunteering at local shelters with her mom. Starting as a part-time kennel tech, she progressed to a full-time position at another hospital after observation hours for school. Joining Grand Oaks, she quickly moved into management, realizing her passion for veterinary medicine extended beyond technical work to hospital management.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with loved ones. Hope lives with her boyfriend Jaxson and their dog Memphis.

Shelby was born and raised in Port Huron, Michigan. She has always had a passion for animals and started in the veterinary industry in 2010. She moved to Charleston in 2011 and was married in 2015. She enjoys spending time with her 2 children Lucas and Everleigh. Her four-legged family includes a cat named shaggy and two dogs – a boxer/pitbull mix named Halligan, and a pitbull named Sicily.

Jake moved to Charleston over 20 years ago with his wife Jennifer and two children as a Software Engineer for Forest Technology Group. In 2019, as an empty nester, Jake decided to make a major change and started his career as a Vet Tech, finding working with and helping animals a very fulfilling endeavor. An Army Veteran, Jake is an avid runner and fitness enthusiast. In addition, he loves wildlife photography, spending time with his family and exploring the great outdoors with his faithful companion, Carlos the Mexican Hairless Dog. His best friend is Shelby the Shelbinator.

Originally from Connecticut, Julia moved to the Lowcountry in 2011 where she attended the College of Charleston. While in college, she began volunteering at Pet Helpers, and it was there her love of veterinary medicine began! Since then, she has worked at several veterinary offices and even managed a local pet store.

At home she has two rescue dogs – a pitbull named Aurora and a lab mix named Chowder (both Pet Helpers alumni). When not at work she enjoys reading, taking her dogs for long walks, and exploring the Charleston food scene with her husband, Matt.

Originally from Maryland, moved to Charleston in 2024. Volunteering at an animal shelter from 8th grade until starting a veterinary assistant program at AACC after graduating high school. Where she earned her certificate as a Certified Veterinary Assistant.

She has 2 cats at home, Coal and Cheddar. When not working you can find Makenzie at the beach or taking road trips with friends and family!

Ke is originally from the Washington, D.C. area and has lived in the Lowcountry for almost 15 years. She has 4 children (3 sons and 1 daughter), 2 grandbabies, and one canine son named Bazel. She started in out in the “human” medical field but discovered she loves the “animal” field even more. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, reading, walks on the beach, and spending time with her family.

Dawn moved to Charleston, SC, in 2015 with her husband, Jack and daughter, Megan. Prior to moving to Charleston she was a military wife moving to locations as far away as Hawaii. She started her career in the animal field over 8 years ago at Animal Medical Center of Mt. Pleasant where Dawn fell in love with assisting owners and their pets. Her favorite thing is snuggling with new puppies and kittens when they come in for their first visits or giving them lots of extra TLC after surgery. In her free time Dawn is a “foodie” and loves to try out new restaurants in Charleston with her husband. In addition, she loves to spend time by the pool with her 1-year-old Golden Retriever Sperry or snuggling with her kitties – Mahina and Dilly.

Originally from Southern Ohio, Erin moved to Charleston 20 years ago from the San Francisco Bay Area with her two children and four beloved pets. She began her journey in veterinary care early on, working as a veterinary assistant and running her own pet-sitting business. Though her career later took a turn into the corporate world, Erin recently returned to her passion for animal care at Grand Oaks. Outside of work, she’s enthusiastic about nutrition, fitness, and holistic living. She loves music, spending time with her cat Kaia, and enjoys hiking, wildlife watching, and shark tooth hunting with her husband, Phil.

Emma was born and raised in Florence, SC and moved to Summerville, SC in 2016. Growing up she was surrounded by pets and wildlife, and enjoyed every minute of it. That passion led her to work in an animal shelter for two and a half years, where she cared for countless furry companions and gained hands-on experience in animal welfare. When she’s not helping animals, Emma enjoys archery, motorcycles, music and anything that gets her on the water, whether that’s boating or fishing.