Our Team

Dr. Andrew Pierce

Dr. Andrew Pierce is the owner and medical director of Dry Pond Animal Hospital and Pet Resort, which he founded in 2023. He is also the founder of Denver Animal Emergency — now BluePearl Lake Norman — where he has since transitioned from owner to lead Medical Director and associate veterinarian. Through his years in emergency medicine, Dr. Pierce developed a deep passion for critical care, and he especially enjoys the challenge of diagnosing sick patients and getting them started on the road to recovery. He also brings significant experience with acute dog-fight injuries and wound care.

Dr. Pierce was raised on a beef cattle farm in Harrisburg, NC. His career in veterinary medicine began right here in Denver, NC, where he worked as kennel staff at a local general practice before advancing to a veterinary assistant role and pursuing his education. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2007 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University in 2012.

Dr. Pierce is married to his high school sweetheart, Shannon Pierce, who serves as practice manager of Denver Animal Emergency and also helps manage Dry Pond Animal Hospital. Outside of work, he enjoys CrossFit, basketball, football, and serving as an elder of his church. He finds his greatest joy spending time with Shannon and their five kids — whether at home, in the mountains, or on the beaches of North Carolina.

Dr. Joseph Allender

Dr. Joseph Allender is a Lincolnton native who, after many adventures, has come home to serve the Denver and Lincolnton communities. After high school, he joined the United States Navy, where he spent ten years deploying on nuclear submarines and leading the nuclear power plant watch team. Following his service, he transitioned to a career in offshore oil drilling before returning to school in Charlotte to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honors. During that time, he worked as a veterinary assistant at Denver Animal Emergency under Dr. Pierce. After completing his DVM at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, the opportunity to rejoin Dr. Pierce presented itself — and he jumped at it.

With his uniquely diverse background, Dr. Allender looks forward to connecting personally with residents throughout the Denver area and channeling his lifelong passion for animals into care that helps pets live longer, healthier lives.

Dr. Rebecca Schenck

Dr. Rebecca Schenck grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, where she knew from an early age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She attended Clemson University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Schenck moved to Charlotte, NC, where she began her career as a small animal general practitioner. She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, with special interests in soft tissue surgery, emergency medicine, and dermatology. She is also passionate about client education and preventative medicine.

Dr. Schenck has two rescue dogs named Cleo and Paisley — Cleo was actually her very first dog spay patient in vet school, and Paisley is a local Charlotte rescue. When she’s not at work or snuggling with her pups, Dr. Schenck enjoys running, reading, playing tennis, and exploring new restaurants in Charlotte.

Dr. Amanda DeMaster

Dr. Amanda DeMaster is originally from the Raleigh, NC area. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from North Carolina State University in 2003 and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Upon completing her doctorate, she accepted an internship in small animal medicine at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, where she advanced her clinical skills and helped teach veterinary students in the areas of internal medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine. After her internship, Dr. DeMaster returned to North Carolina, practiced in Durham, and eventually made her way to the Lake Norman area. She has been practicing medicine in Denver, NC since 2010.

Dr. DeMaster enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, with special interests in preventative medicine, internal medicine, and cardiology. She is an active member of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association and regularly participates in local continuing education with fellow area veterinarians.

In her free time, she loves to travel, spend time with friends and family, and soak up sunny days on the lake. Dr. DeMaster lives in Huntersville with her husband — also a veterinarian — and their two young children. The family shares their home with two cats and a very energetic pit bull mix named Jasmine.

Dr. Carolyn Ives

Dr. Carolyn Ives was born and raised in North Carolina, and she knew from an early age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. Growing up, her family always had a wide variety of pets — dogs, cats, a bird, fish, and rabbits — and she also loved horseback riding as a kid.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from North Carolina State University in 2006, then stayed at NCSU to pursue veterinary medicine (Go Wolfpack!). Dr. Ives graduated from the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011 and moved to the Denver, NC area with her husband, where she has been practicing small animal medicine ever since. She loves making a meaningful difference in people’s lives by caring for their pets, with special interests in preventative medicine and internal medicine.

In her spare time, Dr. Ives enjoys spending time with her husband and four kids, traveling, and getting outdoors whenever she can.

Dr. Jessica Anderson

Dr. Jessica Anderson is a Fear-Free Certified veterinarian with over 20 years of experience in the veterinary field, including more than seven years in clinical practice. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical training at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Anderson is passionate about practicing gold-standard medicine with a focus on truly personalized care — tailoring every treatment plan to each patient’s unique needs, lifestyle, and stage of life. Her clinical interests include preventative medicine, dermatology, and palliative and hospice care. She brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to every appointment and is committed to making sure every pet and their family feels heard, supported, and actively involved in their care.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Anderson loves spending time outdoors. She and her partner share their home with two rescue dogs: Riptide, a laid-back “coconut retriever,” and Benni, a hound mix with a larger-than-life personality. You’ll likely find her hiking or camping with her dogs, woodworking, gardening, or checking out a favorite local brewery.