The team at Hardin Valley Animal Hospital is comprised of highly trained and experienced animal health professionals who have a genuine love for working with pets. Our staff treats every patient with the highest quality of medical care as well as a gentle touch.
Owners
David Smallwood, Practice Owner
I am the dreamer of the bunch and I love the challenges of running a small business. I enjoy navigating the changing needs and expectations of our clients, building the best team of highly skilled and motivated staff possible and constantly challenging the status quo! I am a UT graduate in mechanical engineering, Navy submarine veteran, and a Y-12 employee on top of my Hardin Valley Animal Hospital duties. I love all sports and staying fit and if I am not sore or recovering from some workout, I have been slacking! I am happily married to my better 2/3rds, my wife and your favorite veterinarian, Dr. Smallwood. We have been married for over 30 years and we also have two wonderful daughters navigating the teenage years. We have one crazy Husky mix named Dharma.
I want all of our clients to know that our mission at Hardin Valley Animal Hospital is to care for your pets as if they were a part of our family. We want to be your go to resource for all things related to your four-legged family members. As always, we want to not only meet, but exceed your expectations.
Michelle Smallwood, DVM – Practice Owner
Michelle E. Smallwood, DVM has been in practice in the Knoxville area since 1996. She was the top graduate from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine class of 1995. She is also an adjunct professor at UT College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Smallwood is married to David and has two children. Her other family members include Dharma, a young Shepherd mix adopted from the local shelter. She enjoys horseback riding, music, aerobics, reading and spending time with her family.
Veterinarians
Nicoletta Cuthbert, DVM
Dr. Nicolletta Cuthbert, originally from the Philadelphia area, received her DVM in 2018 from Virginia-Maryland Regional College on the campus of Virginia Tech and her bachelor’s degrees of chemistry and biology from Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach. She has veterinary passions in dentistry, preventative care and loves working with small pets. When at home, she enjoys spending time with her husband Darren, her two cats (Tadpole and Sirius Black) and hiking and exploring with her two chihuahuas (Pebbles and Crouton). Outside of work she is an avid baker.
Angiolina Trump- Ledford, DVM
Dr. Angiolina Trump-Ledford has been with Hardin Valley Animal Hospital since August 2022. An East Tennessee native, she grew up on a beef farm where she enjoyed working with cattle and spending time with her horses, sheep, dogs and cats. She received a bachelor of science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in 1998 from the University of Tennessee where she also studied animal science. Since graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003, she has been practicing small animal medicine in the Knoxville area. From an early age she had a strong connection with her pets, her livestock, and even wildlife. Time and experience has only deepened her love of animals and her interest in the human-animal bond. In this vein, she has a special interest in Behavior Medicine and Low-Stress Handling. She is a Level 3 Fear Free professional committed to preventing and alleviating fear, anxiety, and stress in pets and has pledged to try to inspire and educate people who care for them. The emotional health of the animal directly affects their physical health just as it does for us. She believes that consideration of both is essential to fulfilling the veterinarian’s oath to protect animal health and prevent and relieve suffering. She enjoys caring for cats, dogs, rabbits, other small mammals and the occasional reptile. Dr. Trump – Ledford is married with four teenagers, two cats, and two dogs. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, exercise, being outside, listening to live music, and spending time with family and friends.
Management Team
Nicole, Practice Manager
Nicole is an Ohio native and has lived in East Tennessee since 2001. She is an Ohio State Buckeye football fan and cheers them on at every opportunity! Nicole earned her Associates Degree in Science from Pellissippi State Community College and her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from East Tennessee State University.
She has an amazing son and they live in the Powell area with their 2 dogs, Charger and Pumpkin, their numerous hilarious cats and a very fluffy Holland Lop rabbit named Pluto. She joined the team here at Hardin Valley Animal Hospital in 2020, but has spent much of her life working in veterinary hospitals. She loves taking great care of the patients and enjoyed assisting Dr. Falato with her acupuncture sessions. She completed her certification for Medical Acupuncture for Veterinary Assistants in 2020 and is continuously amazed at how the patients responded to their acupuncture treatments.
Nicole is one of the avid Cat Ladies at HVAH and is in the process of obtaining her CFVA (Cat Friendly Veterinary Advocate) Certification from the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners). She is excited to use her previous life experiences to positively impact the patients here at Hardin Valley Animal Hospital!
Kierstyn, Assistant Manager, CCR and Veterinary Assistant
Kierstyn was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and came to Tennessee to escape those long, cold winters. She comes with two dogs and three horses that have loved the area since they got here. She enjoys working with all of the animals and helping their owners in any way that she can. Some days you will find her upfront with the client services team, and other days you can find her in treatment helping your pets and the staff in the back. When she isn’t at the clinic, you can find her working on her farm, on the back of a horse, or enjoying any and all of the outdoor activities East Tennessee has to offer.
Danielle, LVMT, Assistant Manager and Surgical Coordinator
Bio coming soon! 
Client Care Representative Team
Angela, CCR 
Angie moved to Knoxville in mid 2019 from Decatur, Alabama. She is happily married to her husband Barry and together, they have 2 pets- a rescue terrier mix, Scruffy, and a cat named Simba! Outside of the office, Angie enjoys outdoor activities. Angie expressed, “I have been extremely blessed to work at a job that involves animals. Life is great.”
Licensed Veterinary Technician Team
Betty, LVMT
Betty Bell is a full time Licensed Veterinary Technician and member of the American Animal Hospital Association. Born and raised in Charleston, SC, and a graduate of Trident Technical College, Betty brings her experience to her new home here in Knoxville. Betty’s love for animals carries over at home with her boxer, Lucky; her two cats, Orachi and Lilith. Outside of taking care of animals, she spending time with her family and loves exploring nature in any way she can, from hiking and camping, canoeing, rock climbing, kayaking, and caving.
Desirra, LVMT
Bio coming soon!
Nikki, LVMT
Bio and photo coming soon!
Veterinary Assistant Team
Mikayla, CCR and Veterinary Assistant
Mikayla was born and raised in Charleston, SC and after receiving her Associates of Science degree in 2020, moved to Knoxville to continue her career in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee. She grew up on a small farm where she raised and cared for multiple forms of livestock and exotics including potbelly pigs, goats, peacocks, pheasants, and rabbits! When not at work, you’ll probably find her fishing, hunting, kayaking, or hiking. Mikayla is a proud mom of an Australian Shepherd, Barkley, and 3 guinea pigs- Blossom, Briar, and Bloom. Her passions include Zoological Medicine, Pharmacology, and caring for the emotional and physical well-being of every animal that walks through the door!
Celeste, CCR and Veterinary Assistant
Celeste is a part time veterinary assistant from Memphis, TN! Celeste came to the Knoxville area to pursue her undergraduate Animal Science degree at the University of Tennessee and hopes to pursue vet school in the near future. Outside of work, Celeste enjoys exercising and being outside with nature. Her pets include a harlequin Great Dane named Willow, and a cat named Harley.
Heidi, CCR and Veterinary Assistant
Bio coming soon!