Meet the Team

Our highly-skilled team have dedicated their professional lives to providing your pets with gold-standard medicine and the utmost compassionate care. Get to know us!

Dr. Katie Loughman, DVM

Veterinarian, Fear Free Certified

My love of animals began in childhood, but my decision to become a veterinarian came after seeing the profound impact animals have on their owners’ lives during my work as a veterinary assistant. Growing up in Massachusetts, I completed my undergraduate degree at UMass Amherst, then ventured south to earn my veterinary degree with honors from Auburn University in Alabama.

While I love all four-legged creatures, I am a certified crazy cat lady, with a special interest in feline medicine and dentistry. I am committed to building meaningful relationships with my clients and improving their lives by helping keep their pets happy and healthy for as long as possible.

Outside of Urban Tails, I love spending my free time with my husband, our daughter, and our four cats. I enjoy being outside, reading, and listening to spooky podcasts.

Dr. Zan Paschall

Veterinarian, Fear Free Certified

As a child, I enjoyed collecting lizards, snakes, turtles, cats, dogs and really any animal I found and bringing them in the house to keep (pro tip: this doesn't tend to make your mom love you more). I've worked with small exotics, large carnivores and everything in between. Ultimately, I ended up managing a companion animal ER/ICU and realized I wanted to become a veterinarian.

Throughout my time in veterinary medicine, I realized how much I enjoy client education. Patient care and outcomes are often improved if clients understand the 'why.' A Fear Free environment aids my ability to educate clients because there are fewer distractions and reduced stress surrounding visits. I graduated from NC State College of Veterinary Medicine 2024.

In my free time, I enjoy renovating my 1950s-era house, DIY projects and yoga. I have four dogs, a cat that thinks he is a dog, and a human (Tom). Tom and I enjoy spending time on the beach or in the mountains with all of our critters. I enjoy reading, nerdy tech things, and binging a good true crime podcast.

Rachel Kahn

Practice Manager, Fear Free Certified

I can’t imagine a life without animals. My veterinary journey began at 14 with an FFA internship and has taken me through emergency medicine, general practice, and reproductive medicine across different parts of North Carolina and Colorado. I’m passionate about Fear Free medicine and the Human-Animal Bond, ensuring animals enjoy their visits and their people understand what we do, why we do it, and how to strengthen their bond with their furry family members.

As Practice Manager, I juggle many roles to keep our hospital running smoothly. I attend continuing education courses, read widely, and explore new ways to improve management, communication, and the day-to-day workings of our hospital. My goal is always to empower our team while keeping communication clear, and to ensure our patients are happy and healthy.

Outside of work, you’ll find me tending our rural property, gardening, planting, crafting, reading, or finally catching up on movies everyone else saw fifteen years ago. Life is full with my partner, Cory, and our menagerie of pets: four dogs—Pecan, Tank, Hazel, and Boogie; three cats—Frida, Atlas, and Hex; pigs—Bart, Rona, Merk, and Bunty; and a few exotics, including our guinea pig Boo-Bee and chameleon Loki. Between keeping up with the kids, our fur-kids (including the ones with hooves and scales), and spending time outdoors, life is busy, messy, and exactly my kind of chaos!

Rachel Kahn in the grass hugging three large dogs.

Megan Davison, RVT

Veterinary Technician, Fear Free Certified

Since I was a child, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. My career started at my vocational high school where I was able to take veterinary technology classes on our full working farm. After completing my B.A in Biology, I went back to school to obtain an A.A.S in Veterinary Technology to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. The human-animal bond has always been an interest of mine. I love working in an environment where we can foster that bond by providing low stress vet visits.

When I'm not working at Urban tails, I can be found out around town with friends, home working on a DIY project, or playing with my two rescue pups.

Christy Parker

Client Services Specialist

For my whole life, I’ve had a love for caring for animals and looking out for their well-being. I started pet sitting in high school and got my first vet job while pursuing a degree in biology. I’ve been in the field for over 15 years now and am currently working on my Fear Free certification.

When I’m not at work, I like to be outdoors: kayaking, camping, and mountain biking. I like crafting—dabbling in this and that—and feel like creating things is very rewarding. My two cats love "helping" me craft as well!

A smiling woman with medium length dark hair holding a large light orange cat with enormous paws.

Britta Duffy

Client Services Specialist, Fear Free Certified

Some of my most vivid memories of childhood are intertwined with pets, I have been around animals for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I used to believe that I was a bridge between humans and animals and could speak for them. As an adult, animal behavior is still one of my favorite things to explore. Ten year old me decided she would grow up to be a veterinarian. And while that dream didn’t come to fruition - I think 10 year old me would still be proud as I’ve been in the pet care industry for a number of years, and now get to work and learn from a pretty cool doggo doctor.

Outside of Urban Tails - you can find me with a cup of coffee and a book or on the opposite end; in a bubble bath with a glass of wine. Chasing my six year old, or watching him chase our two German shepherds… and vice versa.

Britta Duffy hugging large dog as he sits in her lap.

Liz

Client Services Specialist

Tweaking the phrase “always the bridesmaid…” to “always the petsitter…” pretty much sums up my life. For a variety of reasons, I couldn’t have my own pet growing up, so I became the go-to petsitter for my entire street and later all of my friends. Animals have always been a huge part of who I am. On vacations, if there’s a zoo, aquarium, or a winery with llamas (yes, that’s a thing), it’s absolutely on the itinerary.

My path to Vet Med and Urban Tails wasn’t exactly a straight line. I earned a BS from NC State in Natural Resources but spent most of my career with Bed Bath & Beyond. When that chapter ended, I knew it was time to finally follow what had always been there, working with animals. Now I get to spend my days with pets and the people who love them, which feels like exactly where I’m supposed to be.

When I’m not working, I’m usually hanging out with my better half and loving on my Saving Grace rescue boy. I’m always up for a quick trip to Topsail Beach or the mountains, a good comedy show, or exploring a new park with my dog. I also love reading, sewing, and cheering on the Carolina Hurricanes.

Reva Locklear

Patient Care Assistant

Growing up I always knew I wanted to work with animals. My uncle was a horse trainer when I was younger and he definitely influenced my love for animals. I attended Alamance Community College and Graduated with an Associates Degree in Animal Care and Management Technology. I have been working in veterinary medicine for the past 3 years. I think my compassion and empathy is what makes me well-suited to work with animals everyday. They really bring me so much joy when they come in for their appointments.

When I'm not working I like to take time for myself because having a work/life balance is super important for me. I enjoy laying on the couch watching tv with my cat Salem. I also love spending time with family and friends.

Tevin Jones

Patient Care Assistant

Hey friends! It’s been a long time coming for me to find my way to Urban Tails but it’s been worth the wait! I’ve been working in the veterinary field for 6 years and have always had a passion for animals (big and small). I am a people person and, more importantly, an animal person. This is a perfect job to blend the two together.

Currently I have 1 dog and 6 horses.  They’re all chaotic in their own special way.

Outside of work I’m either in the gym, at home playing video games, or watching WWE or anime.

Kelsey Banaszewski

Patient Care Assistant

I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with animals. I started my veterinary journey in 2019, initially expecting to pursue the path of becoming a doctor. As I worked in the field and experienced the day-to-day flow of a veterinary hospital, I realized I preferred the more hands-on role of assisting in helping pets feel better and ensuring they’re as healthy and happy as possible through preventative care. I’ve been told I have a calm, comforting energy that animals tend to gravitate toward. They have always been drawn to me, and I to them. When I was younger, I was often finding creatures in need and taking them home to care for, despite my mother’s protests. Caring for pets and seeing them improve when they’re sick has always brought me so much joy. I cannot wait to meet your furry friends!

I like to refer to myself as an indoor cat! Outside of work, I tend to stay at home. I spend my time immersed in a story of some sort, whether that’s a book series, TV show, or movie. Sometimes I dabble in art, with either coloring books or paintings, and occasionally crochet. Regardless of what I’m doing, I almost always have my dog at my side and hope to have a kitten here soon too!

Laney Price

Patient Care Assistant, Fear Free Certified

I have always been an animal person. Growing up, my family had several goats, chickens, ducks, cats, and dogs. My interest in veterinary medicine began after my dog Lily had back surgery in 2018. I wanted to learn everything I could to help with her recovery. After 7 years in the field I finally have landed at Urban Tails! Having a reactive & fearful dog myself changed my entire way of thinking. I am much more aware of body language and behavioral cues, and I am dedicated to communicating with owners about what works best for their pet. I am very grateful to be working somewhere that shares the same value!

When I’m not working you can find me outside lounging in my hammock or hanging out with my dogs Finn & Spicy, and my cat Lilo. I enjoy crocheting, birdwatching, listening to music, and creating all types of art in my free time. I just moved to Durham with my partner Cameron and have been loving exploring all of what the city has to offer!

Juli DeBacco

Social Media and Events Coordinator

For me, my love and passion for animals has been strong since I was a small child. I can remember back to birthdays when I was little and collecting money instead of gifts so I could send it to the ASPCA. My role with Urban Tails comes easy because I get to mix my outgoing personality and my love for animals as Social Media and Events Coordinator. I also get to create events that not only allow me to engage with the public, but I get to see happy pets as well! Win win!

When I'm not playing with your pets at Urban Tails, I spend most of my time as a cat mom to Mittens, the love of my life and soul cat, drinking great coffee or craft beers with my husband, and aspiring to be a yogi and amateur adventurer.

A smiling woman with short pink hair and glasses holding a black and white cat with an intense look on its face.