Dr. Jim Gill & his dog, Cherokee. Dr. Gill has been in practice for over 32 years

Dr. Kristen Virgin has been in practice for over 18 years

Dr. Kristen Virgin, DVM

Veterinarian

Education: DVM – Louisiana State University

Interests: Internal Medicine, General Medicine & Surgery, Exotics and Avian Medicine, Laser Therapy, Dermatology

Dr. Virgin grew up in the foothills of Maine. It was there that she had her first inclination to be a veterinarian. “In the 3^rd grade, my grandmother gave me James Herriot’s All Things Wise and Wonderful, which I read for a book report and loved. After reading other books in his series, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. I had many pets which were my often my best friends growing up. I even had a pet crow named “Gabby” that hung around the farm. When I was a kid, my cat, Simon even got me over my fear of thunderstorms.”

She studied hard while gaining practical experience working with several different veterinary practices while in high school and college. After completing her undergraduate studies with a BS in Biology, she went south to Louisiana and attended veterinary school at LSU. She focused her education on small animals, birds, and exotics. During her studies, she completed an externship in a practice that treated small animals as well as exotic and zoo animals.

“After graduating with my DVM from LSU in 1998, I found a position with Wilkinson Animal Hospital and I’ve been practicing here ever since. I still see new things that challenge me every day. I like the good atmosphere here, and I like working with a team of competent, well-trained staff and we have great clients.”

Dr. Virgin likes the challenge of keeping up with all the latest knowledge in veterinary medicine and bringing it to our practice. There’s never a dull moment with the variety of types of patients she treats, which include dogs and cats, birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, reptiles, and other exotics.

She likes reading, listening to music, watching movies and traveling to new places, hiking and fishing. She is a connoisseur of new foods and cuisines. She has a dog, Gonzo and an African Grey Parrot, Oliver.

Member: American Veterinary Medical Association, Southern Piedmont Veterinary Association andNorth Carolina Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Kim Moore has over 33 years experience

Dr. Kim Moore, DVM

Veterinarian

Education: DVM – Ohio State University

Interests: Nutrition, Natural Healing and NRT (Nutrition Response Testing), Holistic Veterinary Medicine, Orthopedics, General Medicine & Surgery, Laser Therapy, Special Interest in Surgery

Dr. Kim Moore has been practicing in Gaston County since 1984 and has over 33 years of experience in helping improve the lives of pets and their people.

“I was always helping animals,” explains Dr. Moore, who grew up on a farm. “From the age of 10 or 11, I knew I had a special purpose to help pets and become a veterinarian. I excelled in science in school, and, with that interest, I decided to pursue veterinary medicine.” Many who have experienced working with Dr. Kim have noticed his gift of animal magnetism. Dr. Kim explains, “Most pets respond to my touch and seem to sense that I am there to help them get well.”

Dr. Kim also likes helping people. “Being a veterinarian gives me an opportunity to help people through improving their pets’ health.”

Dr. Moore’s interests are surgery, orthopedics, exotics, and holistic and herbal medicine. “I’ve always been excited about learning new things, so I can continue to practice a high standard of care.” Recently, Dr. Kim became one of around 20 veterinarians in the country to complete Advanced Clinical Training in the holistic modality of Nutritional Response Testing (an alternative approach to healing allowing the body to heal itself).

“I like working at WAH because the staff have the same high ideals of optimum care for the patients and service for the clients that I have always strived to achieve, and the practice is organized such that it can be achieved.”

He lives in Gastonia with his wife Ellen. His four sons, Ryan, Drew, Jordan and Greg are all grown up and leading successful lives away from home. He has been active in Boy Scouts and, along with his sons, was the designer of the famous “pumpkin chunkin” catapult, “Roman Revenge” (ranked 2nd in the world) for the World Championship competition. His catapult is the only catapult ever built to record multiple throws over 3000 feet!

Dr. Moore is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, NC Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. He currently has 2 cats, but has had many, many pets over the years.