Join Our Team

Dr. Rhonda Faulks

Has dedicated her life to caring for animals with compassion, dignity, and respect. Born and raised just west of Nashville, Tennessee, she began her career in veterinary medicine as a kennel and veterinary assistant in her hometown. Her passion for animal care led her to earn a degree in veterinary technology, working as a licensed technician in clinics and as a research assistant for over a decade.

While working as a research assistant, Dr. Faulks pursued her BS in Biology at Belmont University. At 37, she was accepted into the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 2001. She later became a practice owner in central Virginia, where she cared for pets and their families for 13 years before selling her practice and moving to Florida.

Recently, Dr. Faulks returned to Tennessee and developed a passion for end-of-life care, guiding families through one of the most emotional moments of pet ownership. She believes that every pet deserves a peaceful, dignified transition and is honored to provide this compassionate service to the Greater Knoxville community.

When she’s not caring for pets, Dr. Faulks enjoys bike riding, woodworking, and cheering on Tennessee women’s basketball.

She is proud to be part of Heartstrings Pet Hospice, where she can support families with warmth, understanding, and expertise.

Dr. Roy Johnson

Dr. Roy Johnson brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the Heartstrings team in Boise, with a career spanning over four decades in veterinary medicine. After earning his BSc from Colorado State University in 1975, Dr. Johnson completed the rigorous Vorphysikum and Physikum exams at the University of Munich’s College of Veterinary Medicine before transferring to the University of Illinois, where he received his DVM in 1982. His career began in Arizona, working with a mixed animal practice, and then led him to own and operate a similar practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for seven years. After selling his practice, Dr. Johnson specialized in emergency small animal medicine and surgery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, before ultimately focusing exclusively on small animal medicine. Dr. Johnson has now practiced in Idaho for a cumulative 12 years, including 8 years with the Sun Valley Animal Clinic in Ketchum. Actively licensed in both Idaho and New Mexico, his primary focus is on the internal medicine of dogs and cats. With a deep commitment to patient care and an empathetic approach, Dr. Johnson is an invaluable part of the Heartstrings mission to offer compassionate, dignified end-of-life care. Dr. Johnson and his wife, Barbara, have been happily married for 29 years. They share their home with Winnie, a lovable rat-terrier/schnauzer/poodle mix, and a cat named Remy. In his free time, Dr. Johnson enjoys camping, hiking with his family, reading, cooking, gardening, and watching movies. Fun Facts: Dr. Johnson and Barbara lived in a yurt for nine years, a unique lifestyle that fuels their love for the outdoors. He has also logged over 5,000 hours on an Atomic Force Microscope, showcasing his meticulous attention to detail and scientific curiosity.

Dr. Katie Knepler

Dr. Katie Knepler has been dedicated to the Colorado pet community for over 23 years. A 2002 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, she began her career in a mixed animal practice before focusing on small animal medicine and surgery. For eight years, she owned and operated her own clinic, and she now continues her veterinary journey with Heartstrings. Dr. Katie has developed deep, meaningful connections with clients, especially when guiding families through the emotional process of saying goodbye to a beloved pet. She believes strongly that end-of-life care should take place in the comfort and familiarity of home, where the experience can be more personal, peaceful, and compassionate for both pets and their people. Growing up on a small urban farm in the Midwest, Dr. Katie knew from a young age she wanted to become a veterinarian. Her early commitment to animal care earned her one of the few early admission spots into veterinary school, allowing her to accelerate her path into the profession. Over the years, she’s shared her life with an incredible variety of animals—including horses, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs, cats, ferrets, turtles, fish, guinea pigs, and even a raccoon. She is deeply passionate about the human-animal bond and believes animals are among the greatest gifts in our lives. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Katie is a proud mom to two children, two dogs, a cat, four chickens, a guinea pig, and some very lucky fish. She embraces everything Colorado has to offer—gardening, skiing, camping, and being outdoors. She also volunteers her time coaching youth soccer, and when she’s not coaching, she’s on the sidelines cheering her kids on.