Veterinarian in Athens, GA

Leigh Fulford, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Leigh Fulford is a University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine graduate.

Dr. Leigh is passionate about meeting the various needs of people by providing quality general preventive, medical, and surgical care for the pets they love. Her love for animals goes without saying, but compassionate care for the people these animals find companionship with is a calling that has evolved over the years and one that she finds quite rewarding.

Dr. Leigh enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking in her free time. She values her time with her family, friends, and pets. Dr. Leigh craves adventure and loves to travel with her husband, John, and their young adult kids. She also enjoys quiet time alone reading or running.

Dr. Leigh brings an immense amount of knowledge, expertise, and compassion to Gaines Shoal Animal Clinic, and we are grateful to have her on our team.

Amelia

Veterinary Assistant

I’m from up in the mountains in Blue Ridge, Georgia and I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Biology at University of North Georgia! Now, I am living in Athens as a veterinary student at the University of Georgia to pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian!

I started working at clinics once I was in high school and worked as a vet assistant while I was in undergrad! I have always known veterinary medicine was where I belong as I love treating animals and educating clients on how they can best help their pets.

In my free time, I like to read, hike, enjoy all the activities that come with living in Athens, and spending time with my Great Pyrenees mix, Ellie Mae!

Neil Ellis, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Neil Ellis is originally from Waycross, GA. He received his BS in Biology from UGA in 2001 and graduated from veterinary school at UGA in 2008 with Dr. Elder. After veterinary school, he practiced at a predominantly small animal practice in southeast Georgia for 6 years. He then continued his education in a rotating small animal internship in Orlando, Florida, at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists. After a year in small animal emergency, he completed an ophthalmology internship at the Animal Eye Center in Loveland, Colorado. For the past 3 years, he has been practicing small animal medicine in northern Colorado. His wife, Katie, graduated from veterinary school at UGA in 2009, and she is now on faculty at UGA in Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation after finishing her residency at Colorado State University.

Along with his 2 internship years of additional training, Dr. Ellis has received awards in Anesthesia and Pain Management as well as Pathology while in veterinary school. He is also certified in small animal veterinary acupuncture by the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida. Dr. Ellis enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, but his special interests include ophthalmology, neurology, internal medicine, and pain management, as well as client education.

Dr. Ellis and his wife have a one-year-old son, Jonah, who will likely become a huge Dawg fan. They also have two Australian Shepherds; Penny and Walter, as well as a Paso Fino, named Leroy as their four-legged children. When not running around after one of the kids (human or otherwise), Dr. Ellis enjoys tennis, fly fishing, and college football.

Chris Elder, DVM

Former Owner of Shoal Creek

Dr. Ralph Askren passed the torch to Dr. Elder in 2009 after many years of working together to serve the Athens community. In 2020 Dr. Elder and his wife, Amy, made the decision to relocate to Florida, leaving Shoal Creek in the care of his friend and longtime colleague, Dr. Ellis.

Dr. Elder received an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Georgia and a Masters in Biology from Georgia State University. Dr. Elder graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Before deciding to pursue veterinary medicine, Dr. Elder worked at Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Georgia State University in both research and teaching. He was involved in advanced research into the mechanisms and treatments for Parkinson’s disease in both humans and primates.

Dr. Elder enjoys all aspects of the practice of veterinary medicine but has a special interest in internal medicine, nutrition, neurology, behavior, and dermatology.

In his spare time, Dr. Elder enjoys relaxing at the beach with his wife, Amy, boating on the Intracoastal, and playing tennis. Dr. Elder and his wife share their lives with two dogs and two cats.

Jim Rich, DVM

Former Veterinarian

Dr. Jim Rich was born in Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner!) and grew up in Colorado. He graduated from the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine (Go Rams!) in 1988. That same year he married Monica Gibson, and they have since shared various adventures together. Dr. Rich started veterinary practice in Collierville, TN, but soon moved to Cleveland, TN, where he was one of three partners in a busy mixed animal practice. Dr. and Mrs. Rich were soon joined by their daughter, Annie, and son, Joshua. After several years living abroad and then a brief period on the Texas/Mexico border, the Rich family relocated to the Georgia coast. In January 2021, they relocated to Winterville, GA, and Dr. Rich began veterinary practice at Shoal Creek Animal Clinic. Over the years, Dr. Rich has developed an interest and pursued additional education and experience in veterinary dentistry as well as maintaining his interests and education in general medicine and surgery.

The Rich Family has had several pets over the years.

Dr. Rich enjoys good music, hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

John Williams, DVM

Veterinarian

Welcome Dr. John Williams, our newest Veterinarian. Dr. Williams joined us in July 2020, coming from Wisconsin. Dr. Williams completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama and obtained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. As a new transplant, Dr. Williams and his fiance, a current resident at UGA, are enjoying our amazing area and are excited to be a part of our community. Dr. Williams loves working with our canine and feline patients providing preventative care and performing an array of surgical and life-saving procedures.

Ralph Askren, DVM

Retired, Founder of Shoal Creek

Dr. Ralph Askren founded Shoal Creek Animal Clinic in 1993. Although he is now retired, this page provides information about our founder! He is well-loved throughout our community, and our practice and many of our lifelong clients ask regularly about him. Dr. Askren is quite famous for his illustrations and the exceptional education that he provided to his clients.

After receiving an undergraduate degree in history with a minor in Russian language, Dr. Askren returned to school to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Upon completing his studies, Dr. Askren was recognized by the faculty at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine for outstanding proficiency in small animal medicine and surgery and has practiced veterinary medicine in the Athens area for over 30 years.

In 1993, he founded Shoal Creek Animal Clinic with the aim of creating a veterinary practice that offered quality veterinary care while maintaining a service attitude towards clients and patients. In addition, an overriding commitment to client education has been a hallmark of his practice.

Dr. Askren is now involved in numerous volunteer activities as well as pursuing his love of illustrating. He works primarily with VetMedAcademy.org, a non-profit that provides educational resources for veterinary students worldwide. In addition to illustrations for VetMedAcademy, his creations can be found in the Midkemia novels of the New York Times best-selling author Raymond E. Feist. Dr. Askren teaches middle school and high school students aspiring to join the veterinary profession through the Duke TIP@UGA program as well as the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine’s VetCAMP.

Mackenzie Rankin, DVM

Veterinarian

Meet our newest doctor on board, Dr. Makenzie Rankin. We are very proud to have one of UGA’s finest join our team, and she is already making friends with our wonderful patients! Dr. Rankin is here to be a voice for your pets, and she absolutely enjoys sending them home feeling their very best. Dr. Rankin has a passion for dermatology and preventative care, and we know we definitely see a lot of itchy pets in Georgia! Please stop by to meet Dr. Rankin and ask her questions about your pet’s needs.

Alexandria Pierce, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Alexandria Pierce graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and has been working in the veterinary field for six years.

Dr. Pierce prides herself in seeing the value and strength in the human-animal bond, understanding that pets are an important member of the family. She strives to ensure that each pet parent feels heard and understood so they leave the practice feeling educated and confident about their pet’s well being and care.

In her free time, Dr. Pierce enjoys quality time with her husband and three dogs. When she isn’t helping care for the pets within the community, you can find her hiking, paddle boarding, or at a local park for a sunny day on the lake!

Bryce Bartelt, DVM

Managing Veterinarian

Dr. Bryce Bartelt graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and has been working in veterinary medicine since 2016.

Getting to learn client’s stories and how their pets play a role in their lives is what makes Dr. Bartelt excited to come to work every day! He also has a passion for surgery and internal medicine.

In his free time, Dr. Bartelt enjoys spending time with his wife, Abby, and their daughter, Nora. He also enjoys many hobbies including soccer, golf, tennis, and board games!

Bob Brewster, DVM

Veterinarian

Doctor Brewster attended UGA and finished his DVM in 1988. Doctor Brewster has long since been the face of both Barber Creek Veterinary Hospital and Gaines School Animal Hospital. In September 2020, Doctor Brewster decided it was time to retire from day-to-day Veterinary Medicine and focus on enjoying his family, traveling, and relaxing at home.

Doctor Brewster has left us with a legacy to carry on in his honor, one of true compassion and love for not just our patients but our community and the folks that make up our wonderful home. He is and will remain a part of these practices in one sense or another. We embrace his vision in our daily lives and will always ask ourselves, how would Doctor Brewster do it? Stay tuned, though… We suspect Doctor Brewster may join us from time to time in the future to catch up with long-time friends and check in on some of his patients!

Hana Kudela, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Hana Kudela is from Southwest Georgia. She joined our awesome team after practicing in the greater Athens area for a few years after receiving her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University Of Georgia. She attended Young Harris College and received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Music.

Her professional interests are in wellness medicine, preventative care, surgery, and exotic and wildlife medicine.

Outside of Veterinary Medicine, she enjoys painting, cooking, hiking, gardening, and spacing time with her husband, Steven, and fur-kiddos, Mcgee and Anatar, and Riddle.

Ginger, LVT

Registered Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon!

Devan

Kennel Technician

Bio coming soon!

Tory

Veterinary Assistant

Tory joined us 1 year ago and is currently pursuing a degree in Biological Science with a Pre-Vet focus at the University of Georgia. She strives to provide a safe and comfortable environment for animals under her care, making every effort to understand them and ensure a low-stress experience. In her free time, she can be found spending time with her dog Hazel, crafting, swimming, or doing aerial dance.

Lawson

Veterinary Assistant

Lawson brings two years of experience to the veterinary industry and is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at UGA. He takes pride in delivering exceptional customer service, ensuring clients feel comfortable while their pets receive top-quality care. Lawson believes he contributes a positive atmosphere to the clinic and possesses a strong work ethic that influences his coworkers.

In his free time, Lawson enjoys activities such as running, playing soccer, spending time with friends, and engaging in cancer research with his UGA lab.

Kaitlyn H

Veterinary Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Christine Ford

Practice Manager

Sarah

Receptionist

Sarah is a dedicated Client Services Representative at Gaines Shoal Animal Clinic, where she plays a key role in ensuring a smooth, welcoming experience for every client and their pet. With over 10 years in the animal care field—including hands-on experience training animals in zoos, aquariums, and in private dog training—Sarah brings a unique blend of professional expertise and heartfelt compassion to every interaction. She is Fear Free Certified and deeply committed to creating low-stress, positive environments for animals and their owners alike. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida International University and is known for her calm presence, kindness, and genuine care for the well-being of every animal she meets. Outside of Gaines Shoal, Sarah dedicates time to training dogs, enjoys hiking local trails with her fiancé and her Golden Retriever, Kai, capturing moments through photography, and unwinding at home with a good book.

Hannah

Receptionist

Bio coming soon!

Shelby

Receptionist

Shelby is a compassionate Veterinary Client Services Representative at Gaines Shoal Animal Clinic. With a lifelong love for pets and a natural gift for connecting with both animals and their humans, Shelby brings empathy, warmth, and reliability to everything she does. At the clinic, she’s a steady, caring presence – greeting clients, managing appointments, and guiding families through the full range of veterinary experiences. She has a deep passion for supporting pet parents through hard appointments, especially end-of-life goodbyes. In those emotional moments, Shelby finds purpose in simply being there – offering comfort, understanding, and a quiet strength when it’s needed most. Shelby’s heart is fully in every part of her work – making a difference, one fur baby at a time.

Outside of Gaines Shoal, Shelby enjoys spending time with her fiancé, MG and their two dogs, Moose and Maverick, and their cat, CJ. She also loves anything involving water and absolutely lives for Halloween. In fact, she’s getting married on Halloween this year! She also has her own pet sitting business that she has been building since before her time at the clinic. She truly loves working in her current position at Gaines Shoal and foresees herself being part of the team long term. She would love to meet you next time you’re at Gaines Shoal!

Destiny

Veterinary Assistant

Hello, my name is Destiny. I have worked in the vet med field for a little over a year. I enjoy doing outdoor activities such as horse back riding, hunting, and enjoying bright sunny days at the lake. I have worked in the large animal field as well as small. I am in school at San Juan College to receive my Vet tech degree in mixed practice.

Sam

Veterinary Assistant

Sam is an upcoming senior at the University of Georgia, where she’s pursuing her degree in animal and dairy sciences. She dreams of attending veterinary school and one day opening her own clinic. Sam is deeply committed to caring for animals and the people who love them. When she’s not studying or gaining hands-on experience at the dairy farm, you can find her spending time with her four fur babies. Sam is devoted to making every visit a positive experience and is always eager to provide the best care for your furry family members.

Karen

Veterinary Assistant

Karen brings over a decade of veterinary experience to Gaines + Shoal Animal Clinic, where she’s been a vital team member since 2019. She previously served as Practice Manager, playing a key role in developing the clinic’s strong reputation for excellent care.

Her greatest joy comes from being there for animals when they need it most — which is why she returned to her roots as a veterinary assistant, working side by side with patients and their people to ensure every pet gets the gentle, attentive care they deserve.

Outside of work, Karen enjoys life in Madison County with her husband, her beloved dog Riley, Peanut the cat and a colorful collection of nine dart frogs! She’s happiest outdoors, whether she’s helping injured wildlife or wandering the woods in search of mushrooms and nature’s hidden treasures.

Amber

Veterinary Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Robin King

Grooming Manager

Hi! I’m Robin, the Grooming Manager at Gaines+Shoal Animal Clinic. I started my career with animals in 2001 as a bather, trained to become a pet stylist and spent many years perfecting my trade. In October 2015, I began working at Gaines School Animal Clinic. In April 2022, I was promoted to Practice Manager of Gaines School Animal Hospital and Barber Creek Veterinary Hospital. In June 2023, we merged hospitals, along with Shoal Creek Animal Clinic, to create the beautiful practice you see today. I still maintain a limited grooming schedule and spend the rest of my time with the operations of the clinic. Away from the clinic, I have a husband, four amazing children, a husky mix, Afghan hound and two cats.

Joe Gwiazdzinkski

Inventory Technician

Meet Joe Gwiazdzinkski; he is one of our longest-running employees, having been with us for 20 years. He is the inventory manager for both of our hospitals, assuring we always have what we need to provide the best care for your loved ones. Joe enjoys working with our teams to help us learn about the newest advancements in animal medicine and what are the best products on the market for our patients. When Joe is not at work, you can find him walking his pup, Josie, enjoying movies, or playing video games.

Angie

Client Services Representative

Angie needs little introduction as the lead receptionist here at Shoal Creek Animal Clinic. Her pretty smile has been welcoming clients into our clinic for 25 years! Angie has lived in Athens since she was in high school, and she attended Athens Christian School. She then moved on to the University of Georgia, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family & Consumer Sciences and Journalism combined, with a minor in Mass Communications. Go Dawgs! Growing up, she had a variety of pets, and her parents fostered a great love for animals throughout her childhood. Today Angie has five cats: Brisbane, Cleo, Mitzi, Pogo, and Poppy. Angie is a great lover of puzzles and loves spending time out on her private dock with a good cup of coffee.

Brenna

Veterinary Assistant

After a brief sabbatical, we are happy to have Brenna back at Shoal Creek! Brenna has worked with animals her entire career but made the switch to veterinary assistant in 2020. Shoal Creek is her first and, thus far, only clinic she’s worked for, and she says we have done a wonderful job teaching her everything she knows about vet medicine. Prior to joining the SCAC team, Brenna worked as the lead trainer for UGA’s rhesus macaque colony, and though she misses her monkeys, she’s loving getting to learn so many new skills! Outside of work, her favorite pastime is lounging around with her ferrets, Labrador retriever, and husband.

Gia

Veterinary Assistant

After being a client for over a decade, Gia joined the Shoal Creek team in September of 2020 to pursue her dream of working with animals. A licensed Cosmetologist in a previous life, she will still give haircuts to the Shoal Creek team (and their families). When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and 2 cats; and playing video games.

Kassie

Veterinary Assistant

Kassie joined Shoal Creek in September of 2021 from southern Illinois. She transferred to UGA with plans to peruse a career in veterinary medicine. Kassie loves learning new things in the veterinary medicine field. When she is not at Shoal Creek, she is studying and taking her best friend Beau to the dog park.

Kaitlyn

Veterinary Assistant

Born and raised in Flowery Branch, GA, Kaitlyn joined our team in September of 2021. She grew up in a household full of animals, from parrots to German Shepherds, and has had an endless love for animals and nature since she was old enough to say “dog”. Her parents work in the ER, and her interests in medicine and fur babies led her to spend her high-school years first volunteering in treatment and then working as a kennel assistant at her local vet in Sugar Hill. After moving to Athens to pursue a degree in Ecology at UGA, Kaitlyn was thrilled to join our team and be able to work as a vet assistant here at Shoal Creek.

When she’s not working or studying, Kaitlyn enjoys reading and watching a mod podge of sci-fi and fantasy adventures and spending time with her bird and puppies! Her favorite hobbies though (when she has the time to travel), are scuba diving and exploring the outdoors with her boyfriend and family.

Madison

Veterinary Assistant

Madison joined Shoal Creek in July of 2022, and she was born and raised in Buford, GA. Growing up, Madison always knew she wanted to work with animals. She went to Auburn University, where she studied animal science, focusing on equine medicine and agriculture. Madison started her vet tech career working in large animal ER in Wellington, FL, for 4 years before making the switch to small animal medicine. Outside of work, Madison enjoys the outdoors and playing with her two golden retrievers, Harley and Moose.

Desinee, LVT

Registered Veterinary Technician

Desinee was born and raised in East Macon, GA. She is a 2022 graduate of Fort Valley State University with a Bachelor’s in Veterinary Technology. Desinee came to us with 3 years of experience in the Vet Med field. She recently moved to Athens to complete RVT clinical rotations at the UGA Teaching Hospital as well as a 6-month Pre-RVT Internship there. She has plans to attend Vet school in the near future. She absolutely loves Pitbulls and has a herd of them, so if you have a pitty baby, 9 times out of 10, she will go out of her way to meet them. 🙂 If she finds time outside of working and taking care of her pitty babies, she spends that time on outside adventures such as fishing, hunting, kayaking, and camping. Here’s a picture of Desinee and her oldest Pitty “Shi” (11 years old).

Haley

Veterinary Assistant

Haley joined the Shoal Creek Team in August of 2022 after moving to Athens from The University of West Georgia in Carrolton, Georgia. She has always known she wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine as she enjoys helping patients, educating clients, and learning from her colleagues. Haley dual enrolled at North Gwinnett High School and Grayson Technical Education Program, where she took a Veterinary Science course. The program partnered with the Gwinnett Humane Society and Gwinnett Technical College, allowing students to assist with spay and neuter procedures for adoptable pets.

Haley was also a member of the HOSA Organization in 2020, where she competed in the Veterinary Science division and won 3rd place in the state! Before coming to Shoal Creek, she completed internships at other small animal clinics and worked at another animal hospital for roughly a year.

Outside of the clinic, Haley enjoys cooking at home, spending time with her family, and taking her dog, Booker, on walks at the park.

Leah Thompson

Veterinary Assistant/Social Media Coordinator

Hi Athens! I’m new to town, and I’m so excited to be able to live and work here in the heart of Dawg Nation! I’ve been in the veterinary field for almost five years, first as a client service representative and social media coordinator and then becoming trained as a technician (soon to be licensed), and I can say I never plan on leaving. I am Pet CPR and Fear Free Certified, and I’ve got a special soft spot for Shepherd breeds and grumpy kitties! I love being in the exam room on the medicinal side and also getting the opportunity to share the passion our team has for the health of our patients through social media and community outreach. I wholly believe in providing the highest quality care for each patient and client and can’t wait to meet every one of you!

Fun facts: I enjoy Georgia football, eating KRAFT (very important) macaroni, riding, camping with my two dogs, Coach and Arya, and traveling to compete in volleyball tournaments with my super tall husband. He played for the US Air Force National Team, so I just try to keep up!

Jennie McDonald

Veterinary Assistant/Social Media Coordinator

Bio coming soon!

Jess Haskett

Veterinary Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Haylee Nunn

Client Service Representative

Bio coming soon!

Brittni Wright

Client Service Representative

Bio coming soon!

Julie Chance

Client Service Representative

Bio coming soon!

Desteny Hirak

Groomer/Pet Stylist

Bio coming soon!

Chaz Rooks

Assistant Groomer

Meet Chaz, one of our amazing dog groomers! Chaz has been a dog enthusiast all his life, but has finally found his passion as a dog groomer. Chaz’s journey started four years ago as a bather, and has been grooming for three years now, but this is only the beginning! Chaz is dedicated to learning and sharpening his skills every day to ensure every pup looks and feels their very best. Follow along with Chaz as he grows and makes tails wag, one groom at a time!🐾✂️ When he’s not pampering pups, Chaz enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with his partner Haylee and their three children Riley, Beef and Gracie Anne.💙