Meet Our Staff

Dr. Tanya Burtis

Owner

Dr. Burtis grew up in central Michigan. She went on to major in Biology and Psychology, with a minor in Biochemistry at Hope College in Western Michigan, then graduated from Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. She and her new family then moved to North Carolina, and she began as an associate veterinarian with Dr. Tapley in1997. She now owns the practice and is dedicated to continually offer the best medicine to all our clients’ pets for their entire lifetime. She lives here inWaxhaw with her husband and three children (Nick, Evan and Elena), and 4 cats (Charlotte, Teddy, Juniper & Minnie Mae). She loves quiet time at home when she is not at the hospital.

Keenan Freitas

Executive Director/Veterinary Assistant

Keenan is a native from Hawaii and moved to North Carolina in 2013 where he graduated from Lees-McRae College with a bachelor’s in wildlife biology and minor in Wildlife Rehabilitation. Keenan started at Waxhaw in 2021 as a veterinary assistant. He has a wildlife rescue team that helps many orphaned and injured animals. He also has a dog named Lilly. In his spare time, he enjoys playing in volleyball tournaments and hanging out with friends.

Cindy Byler

Director of Admin

Cindy is a native of this area growing up in Monroe, NC. She began working at Waxhaw Animal Hospital in 2005. She lives in Lancaster with her husband Mark and daughter Holly. She has 2 dogs: Sophie and Bear. They also have 4 cats: Macy, Lucy, Marie, and Sterling. Cindy enjoys fostering kittens and spending time with her family in her spare time. Cindy works as our director of administration and director of reception as well.

Dr. Glenn Baron

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Glenn Baron graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977. He moved immediately to North Carolina and soon started working at Mathews Animal Clinic doing large and small animal medicine. From 1991 until 2001 he was the practice owner,but then decided to make a career switch. He got a Masters in Elementary Education and became a fifth-grade teacher. Today he is a retired teacher anda part-time veterinarian. He works with us at Waxhaw Animal Hospital and at Matthews Animal Clinic. He lives in Waxhaw with his wife on the horse farm called Gone to Ground Farm. He and Joan have two adult children, Katie and Patrick and two grandchildren (Wylder & Nora). They also have a dog named Baron.

Jason Burtis

Vet Camp Director

Jason is Dr. Burtis’ husband and has been at Waxhaw Animal Hospital since 2007. Jason also is a Teacher of Spanish and French at Marvin Ridge High School and works here as our Vet Camp Director. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with family.

Payton Holmes

Veterinary Assistant

Payton is from Graham, NC originally. She graduated fromLees-McRae College in 2019 with a degree in Wildlife Biology. She moved to the area in 2020 doing wildlife rehabilitation. Payton started at Waxhaw Animal Hospital in 2023 as a veterinary assistant. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors. She has 2 dogs (Pippa and Oakley), a crested gecko (Squirt) and two ball pythons (Monty and Miso).

Stacy Laws

Veterinary Assistant/Off-Site Receptionist

Stacy has been a veterinary technician since 1990 and has worked at Waxhaw Animal Hospital since 2010. She lives in Nokesville, Virginia and does remote follow-up calls. She has 1 dog (Ike), 1 cat (Sprite), and 2 horses (Cindy Lou Who, Gem, and Seraphina). In her spare time, she likes to read, hang out with her horses, and spend time with family.

Sarah Shaw

Off-Site Receptionist

Sarah grew up in New Jersey and moved to Waxhaw, North Carolina in September of 2000 and moved back to New Jersey in 2022. Sarah had been working in the dental field but realized she had a passion for helping animals and so joined the reception staff at Waxhaw Animal Hospital in September of 2005. She is married and has one daughter Kendra and three cats (Nash, Charlie and Link). Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and friends and loves hiking and reading in her spare time.

Morgan Burgess

Kennel Manager

Morgan is a native of Waxhaw and graduated from Parkwood High School. She started as a receptionist/kennel technician in 2022 and loves working with animals. In Morgan’s spare time she likes to gofishing and spend time with her dog Lily.

Amy Salim

Receptionist

Amy is originally from Lumberton, NC. She moved to Charlotte in 2000 and lives with her husband Ahmed, daughter (Sophia) and son (Nate). She is a wildlife rehabber and has 3 cats, 2 bunnies, 2 chickens, and 2 turtles. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and crafting. She started at Waxhaw Animal Hospital in 2023 and is a receptionist.

Madison Date

Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Assistant

Madison is from Waxhaw, NC and goes to Parkwood High School and graduates in 2023. She enjoys playing soccer and is going to collegein Asheville to play. She has a cat named Iroh and in her spare time she enjoys hanging out with friends and family.

Elena Burtis

Kennel Assistant

Elena is a native from Waxhaw, NC and started working at Waxhaw in 2021 as a kennel attendant. Elena goes to Cuthbertson High School and graduates in 2025. She has a cat named Teddy and in her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and riding horses.

Melanie Russo

Kennel Assistant

Melanie is from Monroe, NC. She graduated from Piedmont High School in 2022. She is a kennel assistant and loves taking care of animals. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and hanging out with friends. She has 3 dogs (Bailey, Maggie and Scarlet) that she also loves spending time with.

Haley Dawson

Haley is a native of Monroe, NC. She is graduating from Piedmont High School in 2023. She works as a kennel assistant and love working with animals, including wildlife. In her spare time, she enjoys riding horses, hanging out with family and her pets including 2 dogs (Harley& Wicket), and her leopard gecko (Mondo).