Your Veterinarian in Newton,NC
Call us at (828) 464-3067

Dr. Bilhorn hails from Chicago, and completed his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Minnesota in 1993. He is married to Denise, a physician practicing in Hickory, and they have 3 grown children. They spent 11 years in East Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, serving as missionaries, working in community development. Returning in 2005 to the States to be near Denise’s parents Dr. Bilhorn entered full-time veterinary practice in the Hickory area. They live on 10 acres where over the years they have enjoyed caring for their dogs, horse, birds and cat. He and his wife particularly take pleasure in spending time with family, church relationships and traveling, especially for birding.

Ariana is an Exotic Shorthair. Ariana takes her job very seriously and she is always happy to let you admire her beauty. She closely supervises the nurses when they are taking care of feline and/or surgery patients.

Ashley joined our practice in 2017. Her love for animals began at a very young age, bringing home wounded or stray kittens, ducklings, and even baby squirrels to nurse back to health. She started in the veterinary profession in 2006. She and her husband have two fur children, a 13 year old chihuahua named Honey and a 2 year old Icelandic Sheepdog named Barkley.

Jessica joined our practice in 2014. She started working with animals at the age of 19. She has 2 dogs: a chihuahua and a chihuahua mix and 2 cats: a torti and a lynx point.

Jenna joined our practice in 2012. She has worked in the veterinary field since 2006. She has 1 dog: a Beagle mix and 1 cat: a white Domestic Longhair. She loves all dogs and cats, babies to seniors and big to small.  When not working, she likes to watch movies with her kids.

Michelle also helped us open the practice in 2011. She started working with pets in 2006. She has 2 dogs: a German Shepherd mix and a 3 legged Mutt, and 3 senior cats. She loves all pets, especially the senior citizens. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and son and is an avid outdoor enthusiast that enjoys hiking and photography in our local mountains. 

Mandy helped us open the practice in 2011. She has had many roles in our practice including veterinary nurse and patient care coordinator. She has a background in the human nursing field. She loves all animals, big and small, especially those with smooshed faces. She has 3 dogs: 2 boxers, and a malti-poo.

Jared joined our practice in 2015.  He works part time while attending UNC Charlotte and plans to attend vet school.

Beth began her career in the veterinary profession working in the kennel of a veterinary clinic while in high school. She spent her summers volunteering at the Catawba County Animal Shelter. She graduated from Gaston College in 1999 and received her license to practice as a Registered Veterinary Technician.

Dr. Brad Barlow has been working in the veterinary medical field for almost 30 years. He was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and completed his BS degrees in animal science and biomedical science from Texas A&M University in 1993. He received his DVM from Oklahoma State University in 1999.

Dr. Matt Pennell has over 24 years of experience in the veterinary profession. He started working at a veterinary clinic when he was 16 years old, walking dogs after school. He obtained his undergraduate at UNCG, and then journeyed to Ross University of Veterinary Medicine on St. Kitts for 3 years.