We’ve built a strong family.

Offering the best care for your pet(s) in WAVL

Meet our West Asheville Family Vet hospital staff.

Click each photo to learn more about our team.

Dr Kristine Hubbard

Dr. Kristina Hubbard

Chief of Staff

Dr Kristine Hubbard

Dr. Lauren Komanski

Associate Veterinarian

Dr Kristine Hubbard

Dr. Kimberly Couch

Associate Veterinarian

Dr Kristine Hubbard

Butch Bassett

Practice Manager

Randi

Randi

Veterinary Assistant

Danielle D.

Danielle D.

Veterinary Assistant

LaRay H.

LaRay H.

Registered Veterinary Technician

LaRay H.

Casey

Customer Service Representative

Dr. Kristine Hubbard

Dr. Kristina Hubbard

Chief of Staff

Dr. Hubbard grew up in rural Nebraska with a menagerie of pets ranging from mudpuppy salamanders from the local bait shop to a sassy doe rabbit won at the county fair (even though animals shouldn’t be prizes!). She completed an animal science bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and finished veterinary school at Iowa State University.

After a few years as a small animal veterinarian in South Dakota, Dr. Hubbard headed south to Mississippi State University for a three-year residency in population medicine, where she became a board-certified veterinary epidemiologist and completed her master’s degree. She loved teaching veterinary students surgery and on-site disease outbreak investigations on everything from nutrition disorders in cattle herds to virus outbreaks in animal shelters. Following her residency, she spent the last four years in Utqiagvik/Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost town in the United States on the shore of the Arctic Ocean with 67 days of continuous darkness during the winter months and temperatures down to -72F. During her stay, she helped with the Iditarod sled dog race, visited rural Alaska communities to provide veterinary services, and had amazing wildlife neighbors, including polar bears, caribou, whales, and snowy owls, making for an unforgettable experience.

Dr. Hubbard is excited to be in Asheville with access to farmer’s markets, great restaurants, and amazing outdoor activities after her isolation in the Arctic. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, gardening, reading, woodworking, and fiber arts. She provides rent-free accommodations to Murgatroyd (a one-eyed, grumpy old man cat), Berlioz (a three-legged orange tabby), Mannheim (a Mississippi foster failure kitten), and Silent (a very mixed breed dog from Alaska’s North Slope).

Megan L.

Megan L.

Veterinary Assistant

Dr. Lauren Komanski

Dr. Lauren Komanski

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Lauren Komanski was raised in Winston-Salem, NC. She attended Columbia University in NYC for her undergraduate degree and continued on to NC State University for veterinary school. She is currently in the process of completing a certificate in veterinary rehab and pain management from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Komanski’s special interests include pain management, GI disease, and dentistry.

Dr. Komanski lives in Asheville with her husband, son, and two dogs. She enjoys cycling and was previously a professional cyclist and raced for the USA national team. Now in her free time, she is happiest exploring nature on a bike or foot with her family.

Dr. Kimberly Couch

Dr. Kimberly Couch

Associate Veterinarian, Veterinary Acupuncturist

Dr. Kimberly Couch was born and raised on the Southwest Florida coast. She received her undergraduate degrees in Biology and Chemistry at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. While in college, she worked as a veterinary technician. She then received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.

She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist. She is also in the process of obtaining her certification in Canine Rehabilitation (similar to physical therapy) as well as Chinese herbal veterinary medicine. She is fear free certified and believes strongly in making veterinary visits more positive experiences for pets. Her veterinary interests include senior pet care, integrative medicine, dermatology, and small exotic mammal medicine.

Dr. Couch is new to the Asheville area and is enjoying exploring all the new things! She currently has two cats (Gypsy and Pebbles ) and a Golden retriever puppy (Franklin Floopo Mykonos). In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, tending to her plants, and anything to do with the outdoors.

Butch Bassett

Butch Bassett

Practice Manager

I love all dogs, big and small, working or toy breeds. The relationship that we have with our companion animals is incredible, and it transcends our persona and personality. I have a BA in US history from UNC-Asheville. I love working with people and love being around animals. Working in the Veterinary industry has allowed me to indulge in both areas. I enjoy hiking, camping, and paddle boarding with my dogs and wife. I love going to a brewery and having a beer with friends and pets. My wife and I live on a small farm in East Asheville, where we have a horse, goats, and chickens.

Sumre W.

Sumre W.

Veterinary Assistant

I love and have an interest in all animals, domestic, wild, farm, and exotic; they are all interesting and special. Animals have always been my passion. I began working in the animal field as a young adult and found that I have a passion for advocating for high-quality animal care. In my free time, I enjoy quad skating, swing dancing, and experimenting with crafts. I love spending time training my dogs.

Megan L.

Megan L.

Veterinary Assistant

Megan is passionate about exceptional veterinary care and is excited to work with everyone at WAFV. Megan earned her Bachelors degree in Biomedical Science from the University of West Florida and is currently working towards a Masters of Public Health. She has been in the veterinary field for over eight years and finds it rewarding to advocate for animals and keep them happy and healthy. Megan moved here from Florida in the Fall of 2022 with her Fiancé, dog (Greyhound named Zeppelin), and two cats (Captain Jack Sparrow and Sasquatch). When not working or going to school, Megan loves to spend time with her family and pets, try out new restaurants and breweries, and hike/be outside.

Randi

Randi

Veterinary Assistant

Randi made Asheville home via Florida in 2013. A lover of animals since childhood, she has cared for domestic, equine, avian as well as exotic varieties. Her home hosts a lovely German Shepherd, cat, leopard gecko, hamster, bunny, parakeet, chickens, AND a young human. She and her family enjoy the outdoors and hiking in the mountains. She chose to work in the veterinary industry because she wanted to help animals and make things as stress-free as possible for the pets and their owners when possible.

Danielle D.

Danielle D.

Veterinary Assistant

I have always felt connected to animals and have always wanted to learn more about how to provide pets with the best lives possible. My own 2 dogs, Maisel and Dixie, live like queens at my home. We love going on long hikes in the mountains, and they are always on standby to help clean up any crumbs when I am cooking in the kitchen. I choose to work in the vet industry because I want to help provide care and information to owners to help ensure their pets also live their best lives possible. My favorite part of the veterinary field is being a part of helping sick pets feel better. In my free time, I love hiking, hunting for edible mushrooms, cooking new recipes, and watching all kinds of movies. I also love going out to different restaurants and trying new cuisines, visiting pet-friendly breweries, and exploring new trails.

LaRay H.

LaRay H.

Registered Veterinary Technician

I have always had a love for animals. Cats are my spirit animal! I wanted to be an advocate for animals and provide excellent patient care, which is why I chose this field. In my free time, I love doing photography, being a TV & movie buff, and pretending to know how to do yoga. I also love checking out all of the fabulous restaurants and breweries in Asheville!

Casey

Casey

Customer Service Representative

Casey was born and raised in Western NC. As an animal lover since childhood, Casey studied animal sciences before entering the Veterinary industry in 2016.

Casey and her husband live in Canton with their three dogs, two cats, and a bearded dragon. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors, catching a live show here and there, and caring for her pets.

Veterinary Philosophy

We work hard to be Asheville’s leading animal care provider. That means outfitting our animal hospital with cutting-edge technology and hiring smart, caring people to bring the furry members of your family the best care possible. We can proudly say we have built an amazing team with compassion, expertise & a love for AVL.

Local, loving care for your dog or cat in West Asheville.

At West Asheville Family Vet, you and your companion are our top priority. From same-day appointments to unhurried face time with your veterinarian, we care for the details just as we care for your pet. We thrive on wagging tails and smiling faces and treat every pet like one of our own. After all, your family is part of our family. We strive to be your favorite animal hospital in Asheville.

“Dr. Couch is amazing! Always smiling and full of good vibes. She’s been great at helping me figure out the best way to treat Abby’s hip issues. I’m thankful to have met her and highly recommend her to others. ”

—Tom M.