Our Veterinarians & Support Staff

Dr. Farris has always had compassion for animals and often brought rescue animals home (much to her parents’ dismay!). With this in mind, pursuing a career in the veterinary field, where she could care for hurt animals and help prevent health issues, was only natural.

Farris grew up in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, and first became a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Germany, and was planning on attending Munich University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her plans changed after interning at a small animal hospital in Alabama and meeting her husband, Justin. Dr. Farris graduated from Auburn University Montgomery with honors and then earned her DVM at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine with summa cum laude. After graduation, she worked with Montgomery Veterinary Associates for nine years before moving to Charlotte, NC, to pursue her dream of opening her own Veterinary Hospital.

While River Run Animal Hospital was being built, Dr. Farris worked as the medical director of Piedmont Animal Emergency and as an ER veterinarian at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Charlotte.

Dr. Farris and her husband, Justin, live in Charlotte, NC, with their two sons, Finn and Nils. Their furry children include a Boston Terrier named Nyah Wan Kenobi, a schnauzki named Wolfie Skywalker, a Boxer mix named BB8, and a very opinionated cat named Forrest Grump. The Farris family enjoys spending time together in the outdoors, or you can find Dr. Farris at Orangetheory Fitness or a Charlotte FC game.

Born and raised in Texas, Dr. Rachel Bowles has been overjoyed to call North Carolina home for the last several years. She has always had a deep love for animals and, as a child, dreamed of being a zookeeper when she grew up. She attended Wheaton College in the Chicago area, where she earned a degree in biology and met her now-husband, Robby. She returned back to Texas for veterinary school at Texas A&M University.

Dr. Bowles and her husband welcomed a baby girl in the spring of 2024. They are also proud parents of a very inquisitive tortoiseshell cat named Pebble and an elderly rescue hound mix named Betty Lou. They love to spend as much time outside as they can, finding new places to explore. She is always up for an adventure and has been skydiving, hot air ballooning, and bungee jumping. Dr. Bowles also likes cooking and traveling. She has enjoyed participating in veterinary mission trips and hopes to continue that involvement throughout her career.

When it comes to veterinary medicine, Dr. Bowles values spending time getting to know you and your pet in order to provide compassionate and individualized care. She loves the unique bond that forms between our pet patients, our clients, and the River Run veterinary team.

Dr. Magelinski has lived most of her life in Florida. She attended the University of Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Business Administration. She attended St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine for her DVM degree and completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University. After graduation, she lived in Orlando, Florida, for two years, working as a small animal veterinarian before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2023.

Dr. Magelinski has always had a passion for animals, particularly cats. Her first stuffed animal was a cat that purred and was given to her by her grandmother when she was born. She currently has 2 cats at home, Benjamin Biscuit and Bruce Bean, who she dresses up with in matching themed costumes every year for the holidays! Dr. Magelinski enjoys watching Netflix, trying new restaurants, doing jigsaw puzzles, and riding rollercoasters in her spare time. She is very excited to explore the city and do some hiking now that she has moved to Charlotte.

As a veterinarian, Dr. Magelinski loves that she can care for dogs and cats every day. She thoroughly enjoys getting to know clients and their pets and treating them as her own at River Run Animal Hospital.

Business Manager

Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Justin graduated with a business degree from Auburn University at Montgomery. Husband to Dr. Siggi Farris, the couple has two boys, Finn and Nils. Justin loves dogs and grew up with Boston Terriers. He currently has one Boston named Nyah, along with a cat named Forrest. Justin enjoys all of the excitement found within the animal hospital… from the variety of puppies and kittens to the surgeries performed to save the lives of the pets… There is always something to see and learn from! In addition to overseeing the business side of things at RRAH, Justin is an avid car fan and owns a car dealership in Alabama. When not at RRAH, you can find Justin with his boys exploring the outdoors. Since moving to NC, he has discovered the numerous disc golf trails scattered throughout the area and has the goal of playing them all!

Practice Manager

Meet Jessica Plate, the Practice Manager at River Run Animal Hospital. With an impressive 21 years of experience, Jessica’s journey in animal care began in the charming small town of Corning, NY, before she relocated to South Carolina in 2003. Beyond her professional expertise, Jessica finds joy in dancing, embracing silliness, and sharing laughter with her loved ones. She is the proud wife of Frank and a loving mother to three children, Kaylanna, Giovanni, and Lincoln, a delightful deaf Great Pyrenees mix, who completes her family circle. Jessica’s passion for veterinary care and her dedication to her family make her a valuable addition to the River Run team.

Veterinary Technician Team Lead

With over five years of experience in veterinary medicine, Caroline brings a passion for animal care and communication to our team. Originally from Washington, D.C., she relocated to South Carolina in 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Christopher Newport University and earned her Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certification through Penn Foster.

Outside of work, she enjoys beach days and spending time with her husband, Kendall, and his police K-9 partner, Mexx. She is thrilled to be part of the team and looks forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and their pets.

Technician Lead and Inventory Manager

Originally from Indiana, Jeanna earned her veterinary technology degree from Purdue University in 1992. She began her career working in a mixed private practice and with exotic animals before transitioning to zoo medicine in 2002. Jeanna spent 14 years at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, where she also participated in four years of sea turtle research in Suriname.

After the birth of her two children, Jeanna and her family relocated to Fort Mill, SC, where she chose to stay home with them. Now that her children are in school, she has pursued her North Carolina licensure and continues to apply her extensive experience to her role as Technician Lead and Inventory Manager.

Veterinary Assistant

Taylor was born in Indian Trail, NC, and has worked in the veterinary field since 2021. She finds animal care interesting and rewarding and loves watching patients grow. When Taylor is not working, you can find her reading, watching Disney movies & visiting greenways throughout the area. Taylor and her boyfriend share two rescue kitties.

Veterinary Assistant

Abe is originally from Greenville, SC, and is currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree as a Veterinary Technician at Penn Foster. A member of the Veterinary Field since 2021, Abe is also Fear Free Certified and is passionate about this career choice because “combining both is a match made in heaven!” When not working, Abe can be found crocheting, hiking, baking, and spending time with fiancé, Cameron.

Kennel Assistant

Samuel was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and spent much of his life in Meoqui, a small town in Mexico. Bilingual and proud of his roots on both sides of the border, he brings warmth and dedication to his role as a Kennel Assistant. Samuel and his wife, Natalie, have been together for 12 years and married for the last two. They share their home with two spirited rescue dogs, Zero, a Chiweenie, and Nala, a Pomeranian, who keep life lively and full of love.

Veterinary Assistant

Jess was born in Greensboro, NC. She has been specializing in emergency and critical care since 2016. Jess has a little family at home that includes her son David, a golden retriever named Noel, and a cat named Meowly Cyrus. She is a full-time student at York Tech pursuing an Associate’s in Science with plans to transfer to a DVM program in the future. In her free time, she likes to spend time outside with her son and root for her favorite sports team, the Miami Dolphins!

Veterinary Assistant + Social Media Coordinator

Jade is originally from Massachusetts. She decided to enter the field of Veterinary Medicine when she started volunteering her time at an animal shelter in 2019. She enrolled in the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician program to broaden her knowledge in the field. She has an interest in preventive medicine, geriatrics, and nutrition. New to the Charlotte area, Jade loves finding new coffee shops, the farmer’s market, and updating her new home. Jade has three fur babies of her own, a buff colored tabby named Bart, a Beagle/Basset Hound mix named Binx, and a silly Lab mix named Crosby.

Customer Service Lead + Social Media Coordinator

New to the veterinary field, Stephanie has always loved animals and decided she’d like to make her passion her career. Having the chance to meet and play with fur babies as a Kennel Assistant is a dream come true. Outside of her time at RRAH, Stephanie is a full-time nanny to two kiddos and loves finding time to hike and/or curl up with a good book. Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband, Dallas, and their pittie rescues, Wylie, Luci, and August!

Customer Service Representative

Bio coming soon

Kennel Assistant

My name is Kaylah Hannibal, and I am from Gastonia, NC. I currently attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, or UNCC. I am working towards my Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. After I graduate, I would love to go back to school to get my Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technician. In my free time, I like going on walks with my dog Leo, watching movies, or playing softball.