4 Paws Farewell’s Veterinary Team
Beth Marchitelli, DVM, MS
Dr. Marchitelli received her degree from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. Shortly after graduating from veterinary school, she practiced small animal medicine in Huntington, New York for ten years. She currently practices small animal medicine with a focus in veterinary hospice and palliative care in Asheville, North Carolina and has done so for the last ten years, serving as the owner and medical director of 4 Paws Farewell. She completed a Masters of Science in Palliative Care in human medicine in 2019, to advance her knowledge and training in the areas of veterinary hospice, palliative care and euthanasia. She is especially interested in providing high quality compassionate care for pets during the end of their lives as well as the families who care for them.
When she is not caring for pets or their families she enjoys yoga and mountain biking with her husband and her two dogs in beautiful Western North Carolina.
Kelly Carter, RVT
Kelly began her palliative care and hospice experience taking care of her grandparents and father. Later in life, her love of animals led her to caring for sweet cats and dogs as well.
Kelly received her Registered Veterinary Technician Certification and Associates in Science in 2008, which expanded her career and life experience.
Having the opportunity to work in animal hospitals with sick, elderly, and traumatized animals, Kelly’s
life was powerfully impacted–prompting her to dedicate her full-time career to palliative and hospice care for animals.
Luckily, Kelly was introduced to Dr Beth Marchitelli and found her forever career helping families navigate end-of life-care for their fur babies.
In her time away from 4 Paws Farewell, Kelly enjoys reading, making pottery, and music.
Kelly shares her home with Juno, Rutabaga, Biscuit, and Todd, her partner for 28 years.
Heather Cheri Carter, Care Coordinator, MA
The majority of Heather’s career has been working in the Human Services field as a counselor. After a few decades of supporting clients through numerous life transitions, Heather was excited to join her sister, Kelly, and the 4 Paws Farewell team as a Care Coordinator.
“Unfortunately, life has a lot of loss accompanying the beautiful relationships we create throughout our lives. It is my honor to be a support in coordinating end-of-life care and transition for our sweet furry family members, who have enriched our lives beyond measure”.
Dr. Erin Purvis
Dr Erin Purvis is a North Carolina native and 2010 graduate of NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation she moved to the mountains of western NC and has been practicing here ever since. Dr Erin has worked with a wide variety of animals, starting her career working with horses, goats, sheep, llamas and alpacas for 5 years, then switching to small animal practice in late 2015. Over the course of her career working with “the oldies” became her favorite thing to do. She enjoys managing all the issues that affect the quality of life of our old pets, and working to keep them as happy as possible, for as long as possible. Dr Erin feels that being present for humans and their beloved pets on the last day, providing a peaceful transition is a sacred experience for everyone involved. When she isn’t working Dr Erin might be chasing her son Rhodes, going to the gym, or enjoying a bonfire at home with her wife McKenzie and hound-dog Olive.
Anna McCauley
With a passion for animals having been apparent since she was a young age, Anna earned her degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2021 and has submersed herself in the field ever since. From caring for once abused farm animals to practicing therapeutic treatments on recovering canines, Anna’s past experiences led her to embracing the love and grief that comes with having a furry family member.
“When offered the opportunity to join the team at 4 Paws Farewell, I felt unmeasurable gratitude. The bond between a human and their animal is unlike any other, and saying goodbye is… well, it is something nobody ever wants to speak into existence. I wish to acknowledge the heartbreak, but highlight the peace for all pet families who have entered this stage.”
Anna has a Great Pyrenees, Paxton, who she cherishes above all else. When free, the two of them enjoy exploring the outdoors and having at-home spa days!
Dr. Becky Rhoades
Dr. Becky Rhoades comes with over 30 years of experience working almost every aspect of animal sheltering from an animal control officer to executive director. She has dedicated her career to improving the welfare of animals. After graduating from Colorado State University in 1986, she practiced on horses and small animals on Oahu prior to working for Hawaiian Humane Society and Kauai Humane Society. In 2010, Dr. Becky returned to the mainland and worked for several animal welfare organizations in Texas and Florida before settling in Asheville to work with the ASPCA Spay Neuter Alliance. In 2021, she semi-retired and works part-time for 4 Paws Farewell to provide quality end of life services for family pets.
Dr. Teresa Warstler
Dr. Teresa graduated from Purdue’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. She spent a year in Rochester, NY and six in Charlotte, NC in private practice getting to see cat and dog patients. She then taught at Gaston College’s Veterinary Medical Technology program before moving to Asheville, NC in 2003. She then spent the next 15 years running her own business doing relief/substitute veterinary work at a variety of small animal practices in the Western North Carolina region before settling down in a local Asheville small animal practice. While not one to follow trends she did decide to join the “Great Retirement” movement at the end of 2021. After months of relaxing and enjoying other pursuits, she knew it was time to reconnect with her love for animals and helping people. “Joining 4 Paws Farewell has been like coming home. I’m surrounded by such supportive, compassionate and caring coworkers. They encourage me to be a better person. While the work can be heartbreaking it is such an honor to be able to offer folks the opportunity to say good-bye to their furbaby at home where everyone is more comfortable and to work with others to ensure that their pet has the best quality of life possible for as long as we can”.
Michelle Wolf
Michelle joined the 4 Paws Farewell team in 2023. Before that she experienced firsthand the support and compassion of the staff as a client, when her own animals were patients. She says she is so grateful for their exceptional care, and the opportunity to be a part of this incredible team.
Speaking with families and hearing their stories is an honor. She believes that offering a gentle and peaceful passing at home, surrounded by loved ones, is truly a gift.
She worked as a youth services librarian until her own senior animals inspired a midlife career change. After completing a veterinary assistant course, she worked in a canine rehabilitation center for 6 years before coming to 4 Paws Farewell. Michelle has lived in Asheville for over 20 years and enjoys being outdoors. She shares a home with her wife, Sarah, along with their two dogs, Astrid and Mavis, and one cat, Imogene.
