Dr. Marie Ingle is the founder, owner, and Medical Director at Cainhoy Veterinary Hospital. After spending the last six years as a partner and Medical Director at Sangaree Animal Hospital at Cane Bay in Summerville, SC, she found the opportunity to open a new hospital too enticing to resist. The Cainhoy area is an exciting, diverse and growing community, and not to mention, a shorter commute!
A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Dr. Ingle received both her B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science from North Carolina State University. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001, Dr. Ingle worked as an equine veterinarian for seven years prior to transitioning to small animal general practice. Geriatric pets, cranky cats and itchy dogs have a special place in her heart. She enjoys the continual learning needed to stay current and provide excellent care and that veterinary medicine offers so many opportunities for medical and professional growth. Dr. Ingle is Cat Friendly Veterinarian and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, South Carolina Veterinary Association and Trident Veterinary Medical Association. Just recently, she stepped off the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative Board of Directors to focus on her new hospital.
Dr. Ingle and her family live in the Charleston area and enjoy the beaches, water ways and many family activities available. Her two cats, Martin and Margaret, are pandemic adoptees and have brought much joy into the household.
Dr. Brigette DeFord is an Associate Veterinarian at Cainhoy Veterinary Hospital. She has been practicing small animal medicine in Mount Pleasant for the last six years as both a Chief of Staff and an Associate Doctor. Dr. DeFord has over 24 years of clinical experience between Tennessee and South Carolina. The relationship between pets and their parents is what drove her to become a veterinarian, and she is now excited to call Cainhoy Veterinary Hospital her new home.
Dr. DeFord is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, having received both her Bachelor of Science in Cellular Biology and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee. Her primary focus is internal medicine, hospice care, preventive medicine, dermatology, behavior, and helping families adjust to their new furry children. Dr. DeFord loves teaching and has been an adjunct professor in Microbiology and Anatomy. She is committed to always challenging herself with continuing education opportunities in the community and around the world, keeping up with certifications such as the American Veterinary Medical Association. She is also a large advocate for preventive care medicine to help patients live a long life by identifying potential diseases earlier. Back in the Charleston area, she is lovingly known as the “doodle doctor”.
Dr. DeFord and her family live in Mt. Pleasant and like to spend their time at the beach and out in the community. She and her husband, Al, have a 15-year-old, Mia, from China. Their family isn’t complete without their two dogs; Herman the English Creme Golden Retriever that warms your heart, and a new German Shepherd puppy named Harrison DeFord after her favorite actor.
Dr. Kristen Walter is a dedicated and compassionate veterinarian with a love for emergency and urgent care, a special interest in behavior and dermatology, and an unmatched commitment to her patients. She graduated from St. George's University, completing her clinical year at Louisiana State University and has been in clinical practice for three years. She first developed her passion for veterinary medicine as a child (her first word was "dog"!) and earned her undergraduate degree in neuroscience from the University of Scranton. Dr. Walter moved to Charleston from Connecticut three years ago and hasn't looked back since-especially happy to trade snow for sandy beaches!
When she's not at the clinic, Dr. Walter spends time with her three beloved dogs: Oakley, a six-year-old pothound she rescued in Grenada, and Quinn and Harper, her two golden retrievers. She enjoys beach days with her pups, exploring Charleston's food scene, and diving into DIY projects like painting and macramé. She finds immense joy in helping nervous pets come out of their shells and teaching her own dogs new tricks.
Dr. Walter's wellness tip? "Prevention is always better (and easier!) than treatment." She believes in providing "gold star" client communication to ensure pets receive the very best care, forming bonds that extend well beyond the exam room.
Amy is a Licensed Veterinary Technician at Cainhoy Veterinary Hospital. Amy started as an animal caretaker at shelters, boarding and daycare facilities in 2006. She went back to school in 2012 for veterinary technology after she realized that she wanted to work with animals. Amy says her passion is being able to help pets have a happy healthy life and seeing the smile on the owners face. Her hobbies are stand up paddleboarding, vinyl records, photography and shark tooth hunting. Amy has an 8 year old Tuxedo cat named Calvin.
Aaron is a Veterinary Assistant at Cainhoy Veterinary Hospital. He has worked in the veterinary field since the summer of 2017. Aaron is passionate about vet med is and how challenging it is day in and day out. Some of his personal hobbies are powerlifting and working out at the gym. He is also a car enthusiast that enjoys working on cars and doing autocross events. He has 2 dogs (Luna,a husky and white shephard mix and Coffee, a GSP, Red heeler and malinios mix) and 3 cats (Remy, a gray tabby DSH. Colette black DSH. Linguine, an orange tabby DSH).
Aaron also speaks Spanish..."Si necesitas ayuda con usted mascota, yo hablo espanol y allegre a ayudarte con usted mascota!" this translates to "If you need help with your pet, I do speak spanish and I am happy to help you with your pet!."
Hannah is a Veterinary Assistant at Cainhoy Veterinary Hospital. She began her veterinary career officially in 2015 but has been volunteering since 2012. Her passion to help pets and their families is fulfilled when she gets to see patients return happy and healthy or grow up big and strong.
Hannah is originally from Canton, OH, but is happy to now work in SC for the Cainhoy team. In her free time, she often curls up with her three cats, Gaston, Gandalf, and Moon Pie, to watch one of their favorite movies or shows; Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, or any Disney movie! Hannah's favorite skill to perform at work is venipuncture. Hannah enjoys the work culture at Cainhoy. She loves that even on busy days the team still works together as one to ensure that all of the pet patients receive the best care possible.
Located in Point Hope Commons off of Clements Ferry Road.
Phone: 843-971-6200
