Our Team

Dr. Alfred Marshall, a 1971 Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine Graduate, lives on a small horse farm in Clay county NC with his lovely wife Laurie. He and Laurie have children and grandchildren in Florida & in Clayton, GA. Dr. Marshall sold his 30 year busy practice in Largo, Florida, and moved to western North Carolina with the intent to retire. While in Florida Laurie and their daughter successfully competed in AQHA and 4H shows. Dr. Marshall and Laurie also bred and exhibited miniature schnauzers. Laurie led the male to his AKC Championship. They now have a pair of Belgian Teruverns and several horses.

We were very fortunate to lure him out of retirement to serve as our surgeon-in-residence and he serves as our main relief veterinarian. Dr. Marshall is an experienced surgeon and enjoys the full range of general surgery, i.e., anal sac removals, orthopedic procedures, and ear trims for show dogs. In addition, Dr. Marshall has made it possible for us to help the many rescue groups in the area meet their needs by providing a reduced-cost spay/neuter service that is operated on a routine basis.

Jim and Laurie McClearen live on their farm in Morganton, GA They have a menagerie of animals that include several dogs, horses and a commercial herd of cattle. Jim and Laurie have two grown children and three grandchildren, one of whom also wishes to become a veterinarian. Dr. McClearen has had an exceptional career in veterinary medicine, having graduated from the University of Georgia with his DVM in 1974 after obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1971. He was founder and owner of Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital in Acworth GA until he sold the practice in January of 2007. Dr. McClearen also co-founded and served as project manager for the Cobb and Cherokee Emergency Veterinary Clinics along with a state of the art facility for Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital. He has been involved with state and local veterinary associations and was past president of the Georgia Veterinary Medical association. Dr. McClearen was recognized in 2006 as a Distinguished Alumni for the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and the 2013 Georgia Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinarian of the Year. He has volunteered and done outreach work with Habitat and the Zuni Indian reservation, providing veterinary care for the last 12 years. For the past thirteen years, he has worked at Tri-County/ Murphy Animal Clinic and part time at Project Chimps, which is a sanctuary for chimpanzees. Collectively, he has worked with numerous students pursuing their careers in veterinary medicine, veterinarians and staff alike. His stated goals are always expanding and will never end as long as he can continue to learn and mentor. He believes being a veterinarian is a way of life and he strives to share that with those who wish to pursue this career.

Dr. “Kat” comes to us with a very full list of interesting experiences in addition to her 3+ years as a veterinarian. She attended St. Matthews University and the University of Georgia. After graduation, Dr. Kat made her home in Blue Ridge, GA and worked as Associate Veterinarian for three years at Copper Basin Veterinary Clinic in McCaysville, GA.

Dr. Kat has experience working with many different animals in zoos and aquariums. She has worked with dolphins, penguins, otters, seals, tropical birds, tapirs, exotic pigs, tigers, leopards, singing dogs, barking deer, wallabies, rhinos, buffalo, antelope, impalas, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and kangaroos.

Dr. Kat is involved in the Blue Ridge Community Theater. She plays keyboard and piano, loves lake days out in the boat, visiting local breweries, restaurants, vineyards, art galleries and all the North GA mountains have to offer.

We look forward to all the interesting stories and experiences Dr. Kat will bring to our Hospital as well as her love for caring and treating animals.

Cheyenne was raised in California before moving to North Carolina where she began working with her mother as a dog groomer at the age of 16. Cheyenne decided to make a change in her life and went to school to become a licensed CNA. But her passion for animals moved her back to the animal side of care and she found an opening at a local veterinarian clinic. While there she held various positions, starting as a kennel tech, vet assistant, customer service representative, lead technician and eventually becoming the Hospital Manager. She stayed with her previous clinic for 5 years before taking the opportunity to manage Lake Chatuge Animal Hospital. You won’t always find Cheyenne at her desk as she still loves to put on scrubs and dive into every aspect of the Hospital. When not at work she spends her time with her husband, two children, and her crew of rescued animals (3 dogs & 4 cats).

Judi lives in North Carolina with her husband, their two part-Maine Coon indoor cats and two outdoor rescue cats. She has been at LCAH since 2012 and has worn many hats while here, starting out as a kennel assistant and moving up through the ranks to Administrative Assistant of the Hospital Manager. Judi helps keep all of us organized. She has worked as a secretary, in children’s dentistry, home schooled her children, and as a string instrument music teacher. Her hobbies are gardening and camping.

Emily was born and raised in Blairsville, GA and graduated from Union County High School. She is an only child, 1 of 8 grandchildren, and the only girl. She has 2 dogs, Bentley, a Schnauzer/Rat Terrier mix, and Zoey, a Pomchi (pomeranian/Chihuahua) which is her favorite “little girl”. In her free time, Emily enjoys taking pictures for her photography business and going on the lake.

Bio Coming Soon!

Debra is a FL transplant, moving to Blairsville at the age of 10. She graduated from Union County High School, has two teenagers, and is engaged to be married in March 2023.

Debra has a strong background in Customer Service which began at Union General Hospital Emergency Department. She moved on to other endeavors at Banfield Pet Hospital, Ebay, Medicomp Cardiac Heart Monitoring Center and various other office positions. Debra took a break to study phlebotomy and was certified but did not pursue that as a career. She worked at another local animal clinic before joining us here at LCAH to enrich her passion for working with animals and their owners.

Debra enjoys camping, traveling, kayaking and trying new places to eat

Micaela was born and raised in South Georgia, but now lives in beautiful Hiawassee Georgia. She works as kennel manager and veterinary assistant. Micaela started her Fur Family with a rescue dog named Thor and a cat named Scatman that she absolutely adores. She has added three more cats, Clairesse, Fat Looie and Patrick, a boxer named Bella and a ferret named George. Her hobbies include taking hikes with her best friend, Thor, and watercolor painting.

Fun fact: Micaela started playing soccer at the age of 4 and continued her soccer career for 12 plus years!

Bio Coming Soon!

Jacklyn lives in North Carolina and graduated from Hayesville High. She has three dogs, 2 cats and a horse. She has always had a job working with animals either pet sitting or working at a stables. In her free time she enjoys going to the gym, going to NASCAR races and showing horses.