By Tarheel Veterinary Surgery Center

Tarheel Veterinary Surgery Center (TVSC) is a boutique, veterinarian-led surgical practice on Harps Mill Road that has been serving pets and their families since October 2025. It’s an extension of Tarheel Veterinary Surgical Specialists (TVSS), founded 24 years ago by double board-certified veterinary surgeon Rebecca Tudor. TVSC remains the only surgery center in the region both built and led by a veterinary surgeon—an uncommon model that places clinical expertise and patient experience at the same center of gravity.

“I wanted to create the experience that I would want for my own pets,” Dr. Tudor says. “Veterinary surgeons—and really all veterinary specialists—spend four to five years in advanced training and must pass a rigorous exam to call ourselves specialists. That training allows us to offer pets advanced care and deeper expertise in our field.”

That philosophy shows up in every part of the practice, from consultation to recovery, where the goal is not only precision in the operating room but reduced stress for both pets and their owners.

The center performs a wide range of advanced surgical procedures on dogs and cats. While referrals from primary care veterinarians are welcome, they are not required; pet owners can directly schedule consultations when surgery is needed, streamlining access to specialty care that is often difficult to navigate.

Dr. Tudor and Dr. MacKenzie Whyte lead the surgical team at TVSC, with support from a highly skilled, high-energy group of paraprofessionals with deep expertise and passion for veterinary surgery.

What began as a mobile surgery practice has expanded with a brick-and-mortar surgery center in North Raleigh, which opened last fall. Today, Dr. Tudor has another surgeon behind the wheel at TVSS, Dr. Loftin, who continues to build relationships across the region’s veterinary community.

With a dedicated surgical facility in place, the mission remains consistent: to elevate specialty care while honoring the human-animal bond. “The most important thing to me is that people know I care,” Dr. Tudor says. “Some of these pets are all their owners have.”