Our Team

Dr. Panuska graduated from veterinary school with his doctoral degree in 2000, then relocated to Ohio for a year to launch his career in a small-animal clinic there. He then moved back home to Virginia, working with a local emergency clinic by night and filling in at several nearby pet clinics during the day. It was during this time that he developed interests in pain management, soft-tissue surgery, and veterinary dentistry in addition to his longtime love of emergency care.

Upon relocating to the Carolinas with his wife, Dr. Panuska served in a relief capacity here at Friendship Animal Hospital from May to December of 2015. He purchased the clinic the following June, and has been tending to the area’s pets and animal owners here ever since.

Outside of the office, Dr. Panuska enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, helping his wife care for their 12 chickens, playing the guitar, and making home-brewed beer. He and his wife share their home with three lovable cats: Ringo, Tucker, and Lucille.

Dr. Premo’s passion for veterinary care began early, inspired by her family’s Golden Retriever, Sandy. When Sandy passed away during her middle school years, Dr. Premo was deeply moved by the kindness and dedication of the veterinary team that cared for Sandy. This moment sparked her desire to help others care for their beloved pets.

A significant part of Dr. Premo’s journey was her time as an intern at the Carolina Raptor Center during her sophomore year of college. Seeing the passion of the staff and volunteers caring for birds at the center reminded her how fortunate she was to pursue a career in something she loves—helping animals.

Her path to veterinary medicine began in high school, where she volunteered at a local animal shelter and shadowed veterinarians. At NC State University, she gained hands-on experience working in various animal care roles, from cleaning kennels and monitoring doggy daycare to working on dairy farms and in research labs. Eventually, she earned her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Premo enjoys the problem-solving aspects of veterinary medicine and has a particular interest in dentistry and ultrasonography, finding both areas fascinating and rewarding.

Born and raised in Charlotte, Dr. Premo grew up with an older brother and sister and spent her high school years playing sports like field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse. She also volunteered at local organizations, including the Humane Society and the Ronald McDonald House.

At home, Dr. Premo has a special companion, an orange cat named Bibi, who loves performing tricks—though only when treats are involved. Bibi enjoys trips to local pet stores, where he soaks up the attention of passers-by.

In her free time, Dr. Premo enjoys spending time with family, cooking, baking, reading, and watching movies. She also stays active by running and hiking and is currently training for a 5K.

The inspiration for Neda’s career can be traced back to a scrappy feral cat named Button, who became her first pet during the transition from childhood to adulthood. Button’s presence in Neda’s life taught her invaluable lessons in patience, responsibility, and unconditional love. Through Button’s affection and gentle demeanor, Neda discovered that she was driven by a desire to advocate for animals and support their well-being.

Neda’s professional journey has taken her from Newport News, VA, where she started working in a veterinary hospital kennel, to earning an AAS in veterinary technologies at Blue Ridge Community College. Over the years, she has worked in various roles within the veterinary field, including drug sales and product technical support, before finding her way back to clinical practice in the Charlotte area. Her diverse experiences have shaped her into a well-rounded veterinary professional with a deep understanding of the industry.

In her role at Friendship Veterinary Hospital, Neda finds fulfillment in the instant gratification of pet dentistry, where she witnesses firsthand the transformative impact of dental care on patients’ quality of life. Seeing pets regain their vitality and joy after receiving treatment for severe dental disease brings immense satisfaction to Neda and reinforces her dedication to veterinary medicine. Beyond dentistry, she is passionate about continuing education, knitting, weaving, and gardening, indulging her love for fiber-related activities and staying abreast of medical advancements in the field. Neda’s multifaceted interests and unwavering commitment to animal welfare make her an invaluable asset to the Friendship Veterinary Hospital team.

Originally from Rock Hill, South Carolina, Amber attended York Technical College to earn her Veterinary Assistant’s certification. She graduated with honors in February of 2017, then signed on as a daycare attendant at a pet resort in Charlotte, North Carolina. Amber was thrilled to join the Friendship Animal hospital family in the spring of 2017—her favorite parts of the job are getting to know the clinic’s boarding dogs and interacting with pets and owners alike while assisting in the examination rooms.

Amber’s favorite pastimes outside of work include hiking in the great outdoors and spending quality time with her family. She lives in Clover with her husband, Shane, and their two wonderful children, Payton and Bryson. The family shares their home with a multitude of pets: a Basset Hound/Beagle mix named Bruster; Yoda the Chihuahua/Yorkie mix; a kitten named Mesa who believes that she’s one of the dogs; Chester the ball python; two mice named Lily and Shakes; and a Jack Dempsey fish who goes by Sammy.

Her journey into veterinary care was sparked by her Chow Chow, Lady, who battled cancer with the support and compassion of her veterinary team. Barbara wanted to provide the same level of care to other animals and their owners.

Barbara loves the diversity of her work, from caring for young puppies and kittens to elderly animals. She has a particular interest in radiology, revealing hidden details invisible to the naked eye.

Born and raised in Manning, South Carolina, Barbara now has a blended family with her husband and six children. Their furry family members include Husky grand-dogs Luna and Ledger, and grand-cats Lilly and Luna. Outside of work, Barbara enjoys music, travel, and sports, especially supporting the Canes hockey team and playing disc golf with her family. Her diverse interests and unwavering dedication bring a unique perspective to our clinic.

David loves being able to help animals and make them feel better, no matter what their ailment may be. He enjoys performing ear cytology and finding the varying levels of infection inside the ear. He appreciates working with a doctor who truly cares about his patients and has built a strong bond with his customers.

David was born in Bellflower, California, but has lived in various places throughout his life. He grew up in a family of seven and has an 8-year-old Miniature Pinscher named Dude and a 9-year-old black cat named Tobias. When he’s not working, David enjoys spending time outdoors with his friends and dogs, hiking trails, and camping. He’s also a big fan of amusement park rides, which he discovered after losing his sight for two years in high school.

Originally trained in Human Nutrition, Grace’s true passion has always been animals. Her weekends spent working at doggy daycare facilities revealed her natural talent for comforting and caring for pets. Growing up in a family with various animals, she has a deep-rooted love for all creatures, from dogs and ducks to reptiles.

Grace’s family now includes her fiancé, Josh, along with their two fur-children, Lyra and Loki. Lyra, a lively chocolate lab mix, and Loki, a clever chihuahua-dachshund mix, add joy to their lives. Beyond her work at the clinic, Grace adores Disney and crime-related media. Her dedication to lifelong learning led her to achieve a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition with a Concentration in Chronic Disease Prevention.

Audrey has lived in Charlotte for 27 years. She joined the Friendship Animal Hospital team nearly 15 years ago—she was a client before she was an employee, and volunteered to help in the kennels when the practice moved into its new facility. The rest is history! Audrey has been serving the pets of this area as one of the hospital’s Kennel Technicians ever since.

Away from work, Audrey is an avid traveler and loves to explore the country whenever she gets the chance. She also enjoys bowling several nights a week, working in her yard, and relaxing with her own pets at home. Audrey has two dogs—Lulu, the laid-back elder, and the much more trouble-prone Miss C—as well as a trio of cats named Purrcy, Love Bug, and Toby.

Jensen’s love for animals has been lifelong, but her bond with her horse, Valentino, transformed her understanding of the connection possible with animals. Before owning her own horse, Jensen would barrel race using horses from her barn, as her dad had always said having her own horse was too costly. That changed when her barn owner took in a surrendered horse named Valentino, who had become anxious after a trail-riding incident. Jensen was the only person he remained calm around, and she quickly became his daily caretaker. For her 12th birthday, her dad surprised her by making Valentino officially hers, sparking a passion for caring for animals that has only grown since.

Jensen’s veterinary journey formally began with Penn Foster and took shape through her training at Friendship Animal Hospital. She’s grateful for the supportive and encouraging environment and values learning something new every day. Feeling that her work truly impacts others gives Jensen purpose and motivation to approach each day with positivity.

Originally from Rock Hill, SC, Jensen grew up with her parents and older brother, whose support has been central to who she is today. She now lives with her boyfriend of nearly six years and their dachshund puppy, Winston, who loves zooming around, playing with his squirrel toy, and snuggling on Jensen’s lap.

Outside of work, Jensen enjoys binge-watching movies or riding her Razor at Carolina Adventure World, with a soft spot for horror, mystery, and comedy films. A winter enthusiast, she spends weekends snowboarding in Boone, NC, often rising at dawn for day trips with friends. She’s proudly held a season pass at Beech Mountain for two years straight, relishing the mountain trips as some of her favorite memories.

Initially drawn to the world of pet photography in college, her experiences, notably capturing the profound bond between an English Setter named Shiloh and his owner, made her yearn for a deeper connection with animals. This led her to volunteer at her local humane society and work in a boarding facility, before finding her true calling in the veterinary realm.

Growing up in Monroe, NC, with cherished memories of the outdoors and time with her family, Kayla has always been surrounded by animals. She currently resides in the area, enjoying her time with her partner, son, and adorable pets, including Onyx, a pup with an affinity for belly rubs, and two spirited German Shorthaired Pointers, Cisco and Dixie.

Beyond her primary profession, Kayla is a lover of photography, music, art, and literature. She finds solace in hiking, especially in the mountains, and has a penchant for antique hunting. A creative at heart, she delved into crocheting during the quarantine, crafting unique pieces like Amigurumi toys.

In every aspect of her life, whether it’s her daily duties at the clinic or her hobbies, Kayla’s dedication to nurturing and understanding shines brightly.

His journey into the field was marked by a commitment to learning and a desire to make a difference. Through volunteering, shadowing veterinarians, and transforming the lives of animals, he honed his skills and solidified his dream of advocating for voiceless creatures.

As a receptionist in the veterinary clinic, Stephan found the perfect intersection of his passions. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities to contribute to the well-being of beloved pets. From educating pet owners on preventative care to facilitating the human-animal bond, Stephan embraces each aspect of his role with enthusiasm and dedication. His genuine love for animals shines through in his work, making him an invaluable member of the veterinary team.

Outside of work, Stephan enjoys nurturing his own furry family of four pets. With a knack for understanding feline behavior and a passion for dog training and agility, Stephan finds joy in connecting with animals on a deeper level. Whether it’s helping a standoffish stray cat named Rusty find a loving home, or guiding his playful pup Rain through agility classes, Stephan’s commitment to animal welfare extends beyond the clinic walls, enriching the lives of both pets and their devoted owners.

Jen’s commitment to animal welfare deepened when her own pet faced health challenges, fostering a desire to provide the same compassion and care to others’ pets. She values the importance of every role within the veterinary field, having started in the kennels of a mixed animal veterinary practice. Over time, she progressed to a vet assistant and ultimately to her current position.

Originally from Jersey, Jen spent most of her life in North Carolina. Growing up with her mother, sister, and a myriad of animals, she developed a deep-seated love for animals and nature. In her free time, Jen enjoys hiking in the mountains, whitewater rafting, kayaking, reading, and spending time with her family. She also finds fulfillment in her second job, caring for the elderly.

Jen is happily married and shares her home with a lively menagerie of pets, including three dogs—George, Charlie, and Petey—two cats, Monks and Tigger, and her beloved horse, Ivy.