Dr. Blair Hollowell
I grew up in North Carolina and earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Biology at Meredith College. I graduated from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama in 1998 and practiced large and small animal medicine in North Carolina after graduation. I moved to Virginia Beach in 2004 and has been with Great Neck Veterinary Clinic since then. In 2007, I married my husband, Todd and we began Strawbridge Animal Care. In 2009, I obtained my certification in Canine Rehabilitation Therapy from The Canine Rehabilitation Institute and has opened P.A.W.S. for Rehabilitation to treat musculoskeletal issues. I'm active in the leadership of the AVMA and currently sits on the Board of Trustees for their insurance trust. I'm a member of the National Veterinary Response Team and has responded in several crisis situations including hurricane Katrina. I have a Labrador Retriever “Freddie” and a Bulldog “Frankie”. In April of 2009, Todd and I welcomed our first children, twins Carli and Mason into our family. In my spare time, I enjoy running, reading and working in my yard.

Dr. Lauren Connolly
I am originally from Stamford, CT. I graduated from NC State in 2000. I joined the practice in September 2007 after working in the Virginia Beach area for two years. I graduated from Oregon State Veterinary College in 2004. I have a special interest in animal behavior and the human animal bond. When I was in vet school, I spent time traveling to different countries providing veterinary care to dogs and cats in areas that had none. I am happily married to a submarine officer in the US Navy and have two furry children ages three and seven. Olive and Guinness are both lab mixes rescued from shelters. In my spare time, my husband and I enjoy taking the dogs hiking or to the beach.

Dr. Debra Thomas
I grew up locally as a "Navy Brat" in Norfolk.  I graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor's in Medical Technology.  I earned my DVM degree from the Univeristy of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine in 1986 and returned to Virginia to practice Small Animal Medicine. I have been with Great Neck Veterinary Clinic since 1993 and continue to be a vital part of this practice.  I am married and have many furry and feathered family members. I'm locally known for my work with Sugar Gliders. Recently, I'm taking time to enjoy my passion for riding horses.

Dr. Marie Deavers
I grew up in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina. At the age of 22, I realized my love of veterinary medicine with my first dog, Riley. I had never been in an animal hospital prior to Riley’s first puppy visit. During the examination I watched the veterinarian closely and asked a lot of questions. I was fascinated and with each subsequent visit, I thought more and more about pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. I soon found a job working as a veterinary assistant in Winston Salem, North Carolina and quickly realized that I wanted to become a veterinarian. I began working on my undergraduate degree at the age of 26 and was admitted to North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine at the age of 29.

In veterinary school I took on leadership roles in many diverse organizations: I was the Vice President of the Holistic Club, the Natura Pet Food representative, and the lab animal enrichment coordinator. I spent many weekends working with potbelly pigs, goats, sheep, and llamas. In May of 2007, I spent 10 days in China obtaining a certificate in acupuncture. This is an area of interest I would like to develop and begin practicing in the near future. Upon graduation in 2008, I moved to the Tidewater area to start my career. My areas of interest include internal medicine, integrative medicine, and surgery. Riley is still in her life and going strong. He will be 11 years old in October, 2009. Riley has many friends to keep him company when I'm at work- Mooch, Iris, and the newest addition Mercutio.

Dr. Stephanie Patterson
I'm orginally from New Jersey, graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in Biology with speciliaztion in marine sciences, in 2000. I went onto Tuft's University School of Veterinary Medicine to earn a DVM in 2006. Afterwards, I completed an internship in Emergency/Critical Care and Internal Medicine. I have a special interest in diagonostic ultrasound, physical therapy, and veterinary acupuncture. When not working, you can find me on the boardwalk or beach with my husband and two dogs.

Dr. Rob Walker
I grew up in North Carolina and wanted to be a veterinarian since I was about 12 years old. I attended North Carolina State University and earned Bachelors degrees in Zoology and Animal Science. I graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. I went on to pursue a one year small animal internship (emergency, internal medicine, surgery) following veterinary school and have been working at Beach Veterinary Emergency Center since 2002. I began working with Strawbridge Animal Care in 2007. My primary interest is in emergency medicine with growing interests in rehabilitation/sports medicine. My hobbies include dog sports (particularly flyball), movies, and spending time with my wife, daughter and 5 dogs.

Jessica
Hello! My name is Jessica, I have been working at Strawbridge Animal Care since July 2007 starting as a veterinary assistant. I am working hard in school to receive my veterinary technician license hopefully in the near future. I live at home with my fantastic significant other and three cats!

Ashley
I was born and raised as a military brat.  I have two ball pythons, a military macaw and a silver tabby, whom I found in Guam.  I graduated from Kellam in 2004.  I am an advanced open water diver.  Previously I worked at an aquarium as a diver/aquarist in Guam.  I am currently a part-time student and a full-time animal lover.

Marty
I was born in Eunice, Louisiana, one of 11 siblings.  I am a mother to four children and four grandchildren, all living here in Virginia Beach.

I have worked in the animal field for 20 years and have two dogs and one cat.  Two were adopted from the SPCA while working there.  My hobbies are reading, watching movies, eating lots of Cajun food and playing with my grandchildren.  LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints are my favorite football teams.