Our Veterinary Team | Charleston Harbor Veterinarians

Dr. Christa Kahuda – Owner / Medical Director

Lots of kids grow up wanting to be a vet. Dr. Kahuda wasn’t one of them! It wasn’t that she didn’t love animals, she just never really thought about it as a career. So she went to college, became a math major and only later realized it wasn’t the career path for her. However, she learned she had a passion for problem solving, teaching…and animals. Put that together and naturally you get “Veterinarian”!

Along with her husband Brent, they realized that she needed to go back to school to pursue this new dream. High school algebra teacher by day, organic chemistry student by night for 2 years then 4 more years at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (at Virginia Tech) and she finally got it right! Now, over a decade after graduating from vet school, she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything different.

- What she loves about veterinary medicine: “The animals – and their people! I love getting to know owners and teaching them ways to keep their pets healthy. Many people don’t realize that I have two clients – the pet… and its owner.”
- When not at the clinic you’ll find her: “Playing at the beach!”
- Best things about working and living in Charleston: “The outdoors – even when at work you can pop outside for a break and enjoy the fabulous weather, scenery, and history. It grounds you.”
- What makes CHV different: “We are constantly seeking alternatives to make the experience better – so that a visit to the veterinarian isn’t a dreaded event!”
- Something she’s learned about practicing medicine: “The owner knows the pet better than blood work, radiographs, and sometimes even a physical exam. My goal is to listen to and to never negate the gut instinct of a pet owner.”

Brent Kahuda – Owner / Practice Manager

Back when Brent and Dr. Kahuda were newlyweds living outside of Blacksburg, VA, he had a lot of time to consider his own career while she was studying 20 hours a day/7 days a week. It was then that the dream of practice ownership took hold for him with the vision of combining his business management degree along with his wife’s veterinary career.

It didn’t happen overnight, but in 2014 they were able to establish Charleston Harbor Veterinarians as co-owners, while he continued his work with a digital marketing agency. With the business growing, in 2019 he was able to fully transition his efforts to the veterinary clinic and the day to day operations. Today, you are likely to see him at CHV taking out the trash, pretending to be an IT expert, cutting the grass, sitting at a computer doing finances and HR, leaf blowing, fixing something that is broken or being called to help out with holding the larger or more feisty patients…all of the glamorous elements of his dream of being a practice owner!

Dr. Beth Coco – Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Coco joined Charleston Harbor Veterinarians in January of 2021. She and Dr. Kahuda were in the same graduating class at Virginia Tech in 2008 and now have the opportunity to collaborate at CHV. Dr. Coco can remember always wanting to be a veterinarian. She was thrilled when she found out that she loved science as much as she did animals, and she could make this dream come true. After attending College of Charleston,

she headed to Virginia Tech for vet school. She moved around for several years before settling back in Charleston.

What she loves about veterinary medicine: “Forming relationships with pets and their owners is definitely one of my favorite things about veterinary medicine. I also love that every day is different, and there is always something to learn.”
When not at the clinic you find her: “Spending time outdoors, with family and friends and reading.”
Best thing about living and working in Charleston: “I love being near the water and you can always find something to do in Charleston.”
What makes CHV different: “The team really focuses on making the visit low stress for the pets, while they receive excellent medical care that is tailored to that particular patient.”
Something she’s learned about practicing medicine: “Education and communication are so important to help guide owners to the decisions or treatment that is right for them and their pet.”

Dr. April McCaskill – Veterinarian

Dr. McCaskill joined Charleston Harbor Veterinarians in September 2019 and has previously worked extensively throughout the Charleston area. We are thrilled to have Dr. McCaskill at CHV full time as she brings a wealth of experience, loyal and loving clients that have worked with her for years and excellent skills as a veterinary surgeon. She received her doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Georgia.

You’ll find her at CHV Monday’s and Tuesday’s from 8am-5:30pm and Wednesday’s and Fridays from 8am-2pm.

Tara M. – Veterinary Technician

Tara is from all over! She grew up on the west coast, but moved to Maryland in high school. In 2016 she graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a B.S. in Marine Science. After doing 4 month internships at Mote Marine Lab’s Sea Turtle Hospital and the Zoo Hospital of the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, she decided the veterinary field was for her! She’s enrolled in Veterinary Technology School to become a licensed veterinary technician and also volunteers at the South Carolina Aquarium here in town. She has been at CHV since 2017!

Annie V. – Veterinary Technician

Annie has been in Charleston since 2002 and attended the College of Charleston prior to Trident Tech for her Vet Tech degree. She has been with us at CHV since 2018 and takes on a variety of roles at the clinic. If your pet is here for surgery, Annie may be your surgery nurse helping to monitor the patient under anesthesia, help them in recovery and explain discharge instructions to you at pick up.

When not in surgery though you’ll see her handling all varieties of appointments on top of being considered the clinic expert of anal gland expressions! If you see her at the clinic, she’ll appreciate sharing a laugh over a good joke and always has a good sense of humor. When she’s not at CHV she’s probably hanging out with her daughter and husband or out enjoying a nice glass of rosé!

Erin M. – Licensed Veterinary Technician

Erin joined our team in the midst of the Covid shut downs in April 2020. She was a vital part helping us stay open as an essential business during that period and has been a great member of our team ever since. As a LVT she brings a wealth of skill and experience to our team. She is often tasked with overseeing our surgical patients who are under anesthesia to help ensure a smooth procedure and recovery. Like many of our teammates, she has a full house of pets and has rescued and cared for many cats over the years.

Heather W. – Veterinary Technician

Heather joined CHV in September of 2020. She helps keep the clinic moving by overseeing our pharmaceutical and medical supply inventory while also providing phenomenal customer service and patient care as a veterinary nurse. Heather is a graduate of North Carolina State University. Go Wolfpack! Her pack at home includes Palmer and Lacy who often serves as a defacto clinic dog with the amount of time she gets to hang out here!

Jocelyn M. – Veterinary Technician

We were fortunate to add Jocelyn to the CHV team in April of 2021. She provides compassionate and conscientious care to all of her patients as a veterinary nurse and is a rockstar helping us to maintain our medical equipment and facility. Jocelyn loves all animals, but has a special place in her heart for our feline companions.

Logan W. – Veterinary Technician

Logan moved to Charleston and found a home at CHV in June of 2021. She brings energy and a great attitude each day and when she walks into your exam room for an appointment you know you’ll be in good hands. When she’s not caring for your pets, she has FizzGig, Ludo and the newest addition, Dinky of her own.

Sara R. – Veterinary Technician

Sara began her career at CHV as an assistant in August of 2021 and quickly proved to be a trustworthy and reliable teammate. As she advanced her skills and knowledge it became clear that she would be a fabulous veterinary nurse and she has proven that right ever since. At home, she has a rainbow of Labrador retrievers. Buddy the yellow, River the black and Marsh the chocolate.

Meagan H. – Client Service Representative

Meagan came to us in November 2021 after most recently living in Connecticut and we are so happy she found a home at CHV. Meagan brings a variety of strong organization and communication skills in addition to a degree in visual communication. She has two pups at home, a sweet Corgi named Cooper Douglas and an English Bulldog named Athena Ray who likes to visit the vet…a lot!

Eva P. – Veterinary Technician

Eva began working at CHV as an assistant while enrolled at the College of Charleston back in 2020. Now graduated and in-between pursuing advanced education perhaps to become a veterinarian, we were excited to bring her on full time as a veterinary nurse. She hails from Michigan, but she and her Dalmatian Rosie have taken to Charleston very well. Eva is the artist responsible for much of the patient name art on our welcome board.

Caroline L. – Veterinary Technician

Caroline spent a summer in Charleston following her Junior year at Penn State University working at CHV as an assistant. Apparently she liked it so much, she decided to move here after graduation and now strengthens our team as a veterinary nurse full time while also pursuing placement in a veterinary doctorate program in the future.

Hannah L. – Customer Service Representative

Hannah has been a welcome addition to the reception team at CHV since January of 2022 bringing with her customer service experience and a positive attitude. She’s a reliable teammate and has helped the clinic and her teammates greatly when she is not putting their health in jeopardy by encouraging them to join her rugby team or taking them out on a boat.

Rebecca H. – Veterinary Assistant

Rebecca joined the team here as a full time assistant beginning in September 2022. She is currently pursuing further education in the veterinary field after a successful stint as a groomer among other skills and experiences. We are excited to watch her learn and excel here at CHV. She has a cat and two dogs including a Chesapeake Bay Retriever that competes in dock jumping events.

Mariah P. – Client Service Representative

Mariah moved Charleston all the way from a small town in Northern California on the Russian River to be closer to family as a Manager at Starbucks while working part time at a 24-7 Emergency vet hospital. She then decided she wanted to be in the vet industry full time and would like to work her way toward being a vet tech! She brings a lot of customer service experience to the team and a positive energy to work with everyday! She has two pets, a dog named Ellie and a cat named Miley Mae! Mariah joined CHV in December of 2022.

Rachel L. – Veterinary Assistant

Rachel graduated from Winthrop University with a B.S. in Biology. Before working at CHV part-time, she worked as a Neuroscience Research Specialist where she worked with rats and mice! While caring for the laboratory animals, she realized she loves working with animals & decided to change her career path. She is very excited to learn more about veterinary medicine! Rachel has a brindle chihuahua named Django.