The Healing Hands of Mitchell Village Animal Hospital

Our Doctors and Staff

Our veterinary team is made up of highly skilled and compassionate professionals who are dedicated to providing the best care for your pets. We take the time to get to know each pet and their unique needs, ensuring personalized care every step of the way.

Our Doctors

Julianne Payne, DVM

Co-Owner & Veterinarian

Julianne Davis Payne was born and raised in Morehead City. A Biology undergrad at UNC-Chapel Hill, she also received a Master’s degree in Immunology at ECU before attending veterinary school at NC State University graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2008.

She pursued a rotating internship at NCSU post-doc then practiced at Quail Corners Animal Hospital, a 24-hr emergency clinic, in Raleigh NC from 2009-2016. From 2016-2018 she worked in Greenville NC at Tenth St Animal Hospital until moving back home to purchase MVAH with Dr. Marci Godwin in 2018.

In her downtime, Dr. Payne enjoys all aspects of beach life including sportfishing and hunting for shark teeth. She is a member of First Methodist Church in MHC and lives with her husband, two children, a golden retriever, 2 cats and a hamster.

Marci Godwin, DVM

Co-Owner & Veterinarian

Bio coming soon!

Sarah Dunnigan, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Sarah Dunnigan is a veterinarian at Mitchell Village Animal Hospital. A native of New Bern, she grew up spending weekends and summers in the Morehead City area with her local family, making her return to the community especially meaningful. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University in 2016.

Dr. Dunnigan’s professional interests include internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, and clinical pathology. Early in her career, she worked as a rural mixed-animal mobile veterinarian, where she gained experience caring for a wide variety of species, including farm animals and exotics. She has also worked with several wildlife rehabilitation facilities throughout her career and has a particular passion for helping injured and orphaned wildlife.

At the heart of Dr. Dunnigan’s approach to veterinary medicine is the belief that caring for an animal means caring for the people who love them, too. She takes the time to listen, understand each patient and their family, and work together to find the best plan for their individual needs. She is also passionate about low-stress handling and finding ways to make veterinary visits as comfortable and fear-free as possible for her patients.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Dunnigan enjoys spending time with her husband, their two children, and their many animals. When she’s not at work, you can usually find her working in her garden, tackling one of her many house or farm projects, cooking with friends and family, or enjoying time on the water.

Jacob Howard, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jacob Howard, our newest Associate Veterinarian at Mitchell Village Animal Hospital!

A proud Morehead City native, Dr. Howard is excited to return home and serve the community that helped shape him. His professional interests include geriatric medicine, anesthesia, and oncology. He is passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality care for pets at every stage of life.

When he’s not at the hospital, Dr. Howard enjoys hiking, spending time at the beach, and traveling. He looks forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and their pets while serving his hometown community.

Welcome to the team, Dr. Howard! We’re excited for our clients and patients to get to know you.

Our Support Team

Megan, RVT

Veterinary Technician

Megan has been working in veterinary medicine for six years and brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and compassion to every patient she cares for. Her love of science and animals has shaped her unique career path, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University and an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology from Penn Foster.

As a veterinary professional, Megan is passionate about providing exceptional care and helping pets live happy, healthy lives. Her commitment to both learning and patient care makes her a valued member of our team and a trusted advocate for the animals she serves.

When she’s not at the clinic, Megan enjoys spending time with her own furry family, which includes one husky and four cats. Outside of work, you’ll often find her curled up with a good book or training for her next RunDisney race, combining her love of reading and running.

Ashlynn

Veterinary Assistant

Ashlynn has been a beloved member of our Village team for nearly six years, bringing warmth, compassion, and positivity to every pet and client she meets. A true ray of light, she has shared countless cuddles, tail wags, and kisses with our furry patients, making each visit a little brighter.

Working with animals has been Ashlynn’s dream since she was a toddler, and she feels fortunate to have turned that lifelong passion into a career. As a Veterinary Assistant, her favorite part of the job is seeing the excited, happy, and sometimes dramatic faces of her patients each day.

For Ashlynn, the most rewarding aspect of veterinary medicine is helping fearful pets gain confidence and trust. As she puts it, “The most rewarding part of the job for me is watching really scared pets start to feel safe around us. It’s amazing the difference in these babies when they feel more safe and comfortable.”

When she’s not caring for patients, Ashlynn enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring nature with her own pets: Fizgig, her cat, and Kira, her Mini Australian Shepherd. Whether at work or at home, her love for animals shines through in everything she does.

Naomi

Kennel Attendant

Naomi serves as one of our dedicated Kennel Attendants and is passionate about ensuring every pet feels safe, comfortable, and cared for during their visit with us. With both a Bachelor’s Degree and an MBA in Business Management, Naomi brings a unique combination of professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail to her role.

Having worked in a variety of positions throughout her career, Naomi can honestly say that Mitchell Village Animal Hospital has been the most rewarding place she has ever worked. She loves meeting all of our furry patients and takes pride in making their well-being and happiness her top priority while they are in our care.

As a lifelong pet owner who has shared her home with both cats and dogs, Naomi understands that every animal has a unique personality and deserves individualized attention. She especially enjoys getting to know the “spicy” kitties and grumpy pups, believing that building trust with each pet is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

For Naomi, it is a privilege to care for and connect with every pet that comes through our doors. She looks forward to meeting many more beloved family members and helping make their visits as positive and comfortable as possible.