Heather grew up in Parma, Ohio. At a young age, she had a passion for animals, volunteering at a local historical farm, attending 4-H meetings, and working at a neighborhood pet store. Even though she loved animals, life took her down a different path, joining the Marine Corps. While in the Corps, she met her husband, Jarrett Rentz. The Marines instilled in her values she would use for the rest of her life, and she soon realized she still had a desire to help animals. When her term in the Marine Corps was up, she attended Craven Community College, received a Veterinary Assistant Certificate, and was hired by Dr. Gilmette in 2007. With mixed feelings, Heather left her dream job behind to support her husband’s career. While away, she earned her Bachelor’s in Biology, focusing on Wildlife Management and Conservation. In 2020 Heather and her husband moved back to North Carolina, where Dr. Gilmette graciously offered her old position back. Heather’s free time involves being outdoors, collecting sharks’ teeth and bird watching, painting and doing crafts, and most importantly, spending time with her seven-year-old daughter Jocelyn, her husband, and their cat Nova.