Meet the Team at 2nd Avenue Animal Hospital
Your Trusted Veterinary Team in Columbus, GA
Our Doctors
Dr. Carly Bowen
Dr. Bowen’s professional interests include small animal general practice, surgery, ophthalmology, and preventative medicine. She also has a special interest in wildlife and zoo animal medicine, reflecting her lifelong love for animals and dedication to their health and well-being.
Her journey to veterinary medicine was inspired by childhood days spent watching Animal Planet, sparking a dream that would later lead her to change course from design school to pursue her true passion. Since then, she has never looked back, embracing the challenge and reward of veterinary medicine.
In her free time, Dr. Bowen enjoys being outdoors, relaxing with her beloved dogs, working out, and exploring her creative side through crafting. Originally from New Jersey, she now lives in the Columbus area with her soon-to-be husband, who is stationed at nearby Fort Moore. Their family includes Solana, their loyal German Shepherd/Pitty mix.
Dr. Bowen is thrilled to join the team at 2nd Ave Veterinary Clinic, where she looks forward to building strong relationships with clients and their pets, providing high-quality care with a personal touch.
Dr. Stephanie Lees
Dr. VanTassel
Dr. VanTassel graduated from Tuskegee University in 2020 and officially joined our team in 2026 after working with us the year prior as a relief veterinarian. From the moment we worked alongside her, we knew she would do amazing things for our clinic and our community.
Dr. VanTassel leads our medical team with grace, compassion, and dedication, always striving to provide the highest level of care for both our patients and their families. She truly cares for every patient as if they were her own and consistently goes above and beyond for the pets and families she serves. Dr. VanTassel is so excited to serve the community and their pets, and she will always strive to help your furry family members live long, healthy, and happy lives.
Our Managers
McKenzie Getskow
Meet McKenzie!
With many years of experience in animal care and proudly being part of the 2nd Avenue team since 2020, McKenzie brings both heart and dedication to everything she does. From starting as a veterinary assistant to now serving as Practice Manager, her journey reflects her passion for helping animals, supporting her team, and caring for the people who love their pets.
Her home is basically a cozy little zoo, filled with beloved cats and dogs that perfectly match her love for furry companions.
At the clinic, McKenzie is known for creating a warm, welcoming environment for both clients and staff alike. Whether she’s comforting a nervous pet parent, helping a patient feel safe, or keeping the day running smoothly behind the scenes, she’s always ready to jump in with a smile and usually a well-timed dad joke.
Caring, dependable, and just the right amount of quirky, McKenzie truly loves what she does and it shows in every tail wag, purr, and grateful smile. ❤️🐾
Charlotte
Nova
2nd Avenue Animal Hospital & 2nd Home Pet Resort Staff
Jessica
Veterinary Assistant
Jessica joined the clinic in 2023, starting out as a receptionist before transitioning into her role as a veterinary assistant. She’s truly a jack-of-all-trades! You might still spot her up front, greeting clients or lending a hand in the kennel. Her favorite part of the job is watching patients heal and seeing the joy on their owners’ faces when they go home happy and healthy.
At home, Jessica’s heart (and house!) is full. She’s a proud fur mama to six dogs: Precious, Muffin, Itty Bit, Flower, Delilah, and Waylon, and three cats: Luna, Arunika, and Ophelia. She’s also a loving mom to her sweet son, Kendreck.
When she’s not at the clinic, Jessica enjoys spending time with her horses and going trail riding. Her favorite animal is the horse! She loves their majestic beauty and swears they’re basically giant dogs with hooves.
Taylor
At home, Taylor shares her life with her fiancé, Josh, and two adorable pups: Mila the Shih Tzu and Atlas the Jack Russell. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading, coloring, and diving into cozy Nintendo Switch games.
Her favorite animal is the bunny! She believes we don’t deserve these intelligent, affectionate, and often misunderstood companions.
Ty
Outside of work, Ty is all about staying active and curious, you might catch him playing sports, watching scary movies, or diving into something new to learn. His favorite animal in the world is a dog, and he loves that they come in so many breeds, shapes, and sizes. For Ty, meeting all the different kinds is one of the best parts of the job.
Chris
Chris has been part of our team since early 2024, caring for our kennel guests with dedication and patience. His favorite part of the job is spending time with the dogs — making sure they’re happy, healthy, and even teaching them a few fun tricks along the way!
Known for always being willing to lend a hand, Chris is an extremely helpful and dependable part of our team, making each day better for both pets and people.
At home, Chris is a proud fur dad to three pups: Rusty, Bubba, and Red. Outside of work, he enjoys gaming and hiking, balancing his love for the indoors and the great outdoors. His favorite animal is the sloth! He appreciates their laid-back, slow-motion lifestyle.