Sheila Connelly, DVM

Managing Veterinarian

Dr. Sheila Connelly graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1986. For over 30 years, she has loved to practice small companion animal medicine, including the past 7 years in Chattanooga area.

She enjoys preventative care and performing soft tissue surgeries and is completing the “Fear Free” certification to make vet appointments less stressful for the patient and owner.

Dr. Connelly lives in East Brainerd with her husband Steve Yolitz and their three daughters, 4 dogs, 3 cats and several fishes and aquatic frogs. Outside the vet hospital, she enjoys crafts, sewing, cooking, volunteering with animal rescue group that treats foster dogs and has a passion for riding her two Tennessee Walking horses.

Ron Stewart, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Stewart attended Ohio State University from 1969-76. In that time, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree and graduated in 1976 with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Stewart has been practicing in Cleveland, TN for twenty-two years. Before coming to Cleveland, he spent one year in New York City and fifteen years in California.

Dr. Stewart and his wife Shelia have two daughters and two sons, and seven grandsons.

Dr. Stewart has 3 house cats: Fletcher, Maggie, and Bella.

Meredith Owens, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Owens graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kentucky. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. Before joining Appalachian Animal Hospital, Dr. Owens practiced at Martin Clark Animal Hospital in Dothan, Alabama from 1993-94 and Ashland Terrace/Middle Valley Animal Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee from 1994-98.

Dr. Owens and her husband, John Owens, DVM, have two children, Caroline, 12, and Fletcher, 10.

Jennifer Thomas, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Jennifer Thomas graduated from York College of Pennsylvania and earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Tennessee in 2017.

Dr. Thomas enjoys working with companion animal exotics as well as general preventive care of all domestic pets. She has completed the "Fear Free' certification to make vet appointments less stressful on the patient and owner. Dr. Thomas lives in the Cleveland area with her guinea pig, bird, and fish.

Outside the vet hospital, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and baking.

Maggie Ellis, DVM

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Maggie Ellis is a native of Cleveland and graduated from Lee University with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Lincoln-Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine where she was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Sheila Guffey

Veterinary Technician

Shelia received an Associate of Applied Science degree and has been working at Appalachian Animal Clinic for 6 years.

Shelia has 2 dogs, Moe, a long-haired Chihuahua, and Skeeter, a miniature Jack Russell. She also has a cat named Sunshine.

Patty Peterson, CVT

Certified Veterinary Technician​​​​​​​

Kimberly Lindy, CVT

Certified Veterinary Technician

Chris Stovall

Chris, our long-term Groomer, was promoted to Hospital Manager in 2017 and manages all aspects of our vet hospital operations. Chris trained Mychaela to ensure the transition of grooming services is seamless on you and your pets! Chris has 20 years of pet grooming experience and is married with 2 children, 4 dogs, 2 cats and a bird.

Becky McKeel

Becky is a graduate of Bradley Central High School and of Cleveland State Community College. She has been employed at Appalachian Animal Clinic for 26 years.

Becky and her husband, Terry, have a daughter, Starla, and a son, Chad. She also has 2 animals: Frady and BeBe.

Niki Randolph

Niki joined Appalachian Animal Clinic in 2016 and is a graduate of Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Athens with a degree in Medical Administrative Office. She has a daughter Aubrie, 6 horses and 2 dogs.

Susan Melton

Susan has been a part of the Appalachian Animal Clinic family since 1994. A Cleveland, TN native, she has a daughter and loves crafting and taking care of her chickens and cats.