Meet Our Team!

Norman Manning, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Norman Manning found his calling in life when he, at the age of 14, began working at a veterinary hospital in his small Missouri hometown.

He graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri in 1986 with numerous awards and honors and has practiced small animal medicine and surgery in North Carolina ever since.

He started Wake Forest Animal Hospital in 1991 with one full-time employee in a 1000-square-foot modular building. There are now four full-time veterinarians and over a dozen staff members in the current facility, which was built in 1999 and expanded in 2005.

Dr. Norman Manning is married, has two grown boys and various pets, and enjoys spending his free time on the farm with family and friends.

Craig Manning, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Craig Manning was born and raised in Wake Forest and has been a part of Wake Forest Animal Hospital since he was a young teen working as a vet assistant for his father, Dr. Norman Manning.

He graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2013 and graduated from NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018.

He is a big supporter of Wolfpack athletics and loves to spend his free time on the golf course.

He currently lives in Wake Forest with his wife, Molly, and their two dogs named Nan and Winnie.

Nicole Fansler, DVM

Lead Veterinarian

From a young age, a deep love for animals and a passion for helping them guided my path to veterinary medicine. My early experiences volunteering—fostering kittens and cats and helping place them in loving homes—sparked a lifelong commitment to animal welfare and ultimately inspired me to become a veterinarian.

I earned my DVM degree from the University of Missouri in 2020. Since then, I’ve developed strong professional interests in surgery and dentistry, and I continually seek opportunities to advance my skills in these areas. As a Fear Free Certified practitioner, I prioritize patient comfort and emotional well-being, and I am dedicated to delivering gold standard medical care to every patient I see.

At home, I share my life with two dogs and four cats—each with their own personality and story—who constantly remind me why I chose this profession. Outside the clinic, I enjoy staying active and creative. Whether I’m hiking with my partner and dogs, spending time at the beach, or working on a DIY project at home, I value balance and bring the same energy and curiosity to my personal life as I do to my professional one.

I’m thrilled to be joining a team whose culture is both fun and inspiring. I look forward to contributing my skills, enthusiasm, and commitment to high-quality care as we work together to make a difference in the lives of pets and their families.

Andrew Sparks, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Andrew Sparks grew up in Warrenton, VA, about an hour west of Washington DC. He always wanted to work with animals from a young age and grew up surrounded by several pets. After being treated with compassion and kindness by his family veterinarian during the loss of his childhood guinea pig, he was inspired to become a veterinarian himself. Dr. Sparks graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences in 2021, and he then graduated with his DVM from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2025.

Dr. Sparks is excited to join the team at Wake Forest Animal Hospital and develop relationships with his patients and their owners. He has special interests in diagnostic imaging, dermatology, and client education.

In his spare time, Dr. Sparks is an avid sports fan who roots for the Washington Commanders, Washington Nationals, Carolina Hurricanes, Virginia Tech Hokies, and Kansas State Wildcats. He enjoys spending time outdoors and can often be found exploring local breweries. He currently lives in Durham with his partner, Jill.