meet the team!
Our Veterinary Team
Kinard Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your beloved pet.
Welcome to Kinard Animal Hospital
Kinard Animal Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality of veterinary care for our patients. Our experienced and compassionate veterinary team provides a wide range of services to meet the needs of each individual animal.
Dr. Adam Eichelberger
Dr. Adam Eichelberger completed his undergraduate degree in Pre-Veterinary Animal Science at Clemson University in 1999, and went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. After graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Eichelberger completed a 1 year veterinary internship in Arizona and 3 year specialty residency at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine focusing on animal reproduction. He began practiced veterinary medicine as an equine veterinarian in Aiken, South Carolina for several year after his training was complete. In 2008 Dr. Eichelberger started working at the South Carolina State Veterinarian’s Office monitoring animal disease and health concerns, he was the Director of the Animal Health Program for the State of South Carolina for five years. Dr. Adam Eichelberger is now the Medical Director of Kinard Animal Hospital.
Dr. Eichelberger is married to his wife, Elizabeth, and they have four children, Jenna, Kathryn, Charlie, and Henry. The family lives in Ninety Six on a farm with lots of animals!
Dr. Katie Deist
Dr. Katie Deist is a small animal practitioner who joined the Kinard Animal Hospital team in 2019.
Dr. Deist is originally from Greenwood, South Carolina, and completed her undergraduate degree at Clemson University, majoring in Pre-Veterinary Sciences. Dr. Deist dreamed of being a veterinarian at an early age, which came true when she completed her veterinary degree at St. George’s University. She completed her clinical at the University of Tennessee and continued to work in Tennessee for about 2 years. Her professional interests include dermatology and preventative medicine.
Outside of work, Dr. Deist enjoys gardening, fishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors. She also enjoys any time spent with her husband, James, sons, Lukas and Noah, and their two Australian shepherds, Remi and Goose.
Dr. Ruthie Buist, DVM
Dr. Ruthie Buist joined Kinard Animal Hospital in May, 2022. Dr. Buist grew up on a Jersey dairy farm in Ninety Six, South Carolina. She graduated from Clemson University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences. She then attended University of Georgia and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2004. She then worked in mixed animal practices in Nebraska and South Carolina. She has been working for Piedmont Technical College since 2008 and was the Program Director for the Veterinary Technology program from 2015 to 2022. She values veterinary technicians and assistants, who are vital members of the veterinary team. Education is essential and Dr. Buist aspires to be a lifelong learner and educator.
Dr. Buist has a husband, a daughter, and a son. They have a farm full of horses and goats. A Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Tess and a barn cat named Tokyo allow the Buist family to live on their farm. Dr. Buist enjoys spending time with her family and their four-legged friends. As a third generation Clemson grad, she also enjoys cheering for the Tigers.