Karen L. Davis, DVM
Dr. Karen Davis was raised as an “Air Force brat” and lived in various locations across the country and overseas while growing up. After graduating from high school in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Davis received her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from North Carolina State University in 1975. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University in 1980.
Dr. Davis returned to her family’s hometown of Hendersonville in 1981 and began working as a small animal veterinarian in Henderson County and around western North Carolina. In the mid-eighties, Dr. Davis transferred to North State Animal Hospital. She purchased the practice in 1992 and currently serves as owner and medical director. Dr. Davis has over 37 years of experience working as a small animal practitioner. Dr. Davis is a past president of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association and a past member of the Henderson County Board of Health. She currently serves in the House of Delegates of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and on the Board of Directors of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. In 2007, Dr. Davis was recognized as the NC Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Veterinarian and named the NCVMA Veterinarian of the Year in 2014.
Dr. Davis lives in Henderson County with her family, which includes two domestic shorthaired cats, Iris and Rose, and a black labrador, Sherri.
Paula Bailey, DVM
Dr. Bailey grew up in Hendersonville and studied at North Carolina State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and, in 2001, her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. In Veterinary School, Dr. Bailey was president of the Student Chapter of the Veterinary Medical Association and earned the Hill’s Buddy Award at graduation for most compassionate clinician. Prior to attending Veterinary School, Dr. Bailey was an associate researcher at UNC Chapel Hill, where she studied and published her research on Hemophilia B in dogs. Following veterinary school, Dr. Bailey completed a small animal rotating internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. She continued as an associate veterinarian at Friendship Hospital for 5 years and became the Internship Coordinator for her last 2 years there.
After getting married, Dr. Bailey moved every 3 years with her husband’s job in the United States Marine Corps. This gave her the opportunity to practice veterinary medicine in a variety of hospital settings across the United States, from big cities to small towns. Most recently, through her husband’s job with Federal Express, Dr. Bailey and her family lived in Bonn, Germany. They enjoyed experiencing different international cultures, meeting people from around the world, and exploring the beautiful European countries.
After many moves, Dr. Bailey and family have returned to Hendersonville to place down roots and be closer to family. She enjoys interacting with clients and helping to keep their fur babies healthy. She has a strong interest is nutrition, internal medicine, dentistry, and geriatric care. Dr. Bailey has a black Labrador named Banjo and a grey tabby cat named Landry. Outside of work, Dr. Bailey enjoys
spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, reading, and volunteering at her children’s school. She is a member of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Cathi Holden, DVM
Born in Ohio, Dr. Cathi Holden grew up in Hendersonville and graduated from Hendersonville High School. She moved to Raleigh to continue her education, where she attended undergraduate - then veterinary school - at NC State University. She earned her DVM degree from the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Holden has 30 years of experience working as a small animal practitioner in western North Carolina; she has held the position of associate veterinarian at North State since 2011. Dr. Holden is a member of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Her professional interests include dentistry, internal medicine, and pocket pets. In addition to her work with animals, Dr. Holden has always had an interest in the well-being of children. She has been active in the local schools as a student tutor and mentor and served for several years as a Big Sister in the Big Brother/Big Sister Program.
Dr. Holden lives in the same neighborhood where she grew up and has two dogs, a cat, and two mice. She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and biking with her family.