Dr. Mary Patton grew up in Virginia Beach, loving the ocean. This led her to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Science at The University of South Carolina. She continued to Veterinary School at Virginia Tech to become a veterinarian and learn how to keep animals healthy. While there, she realized that she preferred the more hands-on medicine that small animal practice would bring versus working in a big aquarium. She has worked in small animal medicine for over 25 years.

Having a strong desire to provide an improved quality of life for her patients beyond conventional medicine, she then earned certification in Veterinary Acupuncture from The Chi Institute in Florida. Her professional goals are to provide gentle and personalized care for each patient using conventional medicine and integrating the Traditional Chinese practices of acupuncture and herbal medicines. She has a special interest in Feline Medicine, especially the black and white variety, and is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

She lives in Midlothian with her three children. They share a house with three cats, two dogs, and a Crested Gecko. When she is not working, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, reading crime novels, and watching shows on BBC.

A little-known fact, Dr. Patton and her parents grew up with a dachshund in the home. They were always rescued, adult males. Through the years, as one passed, it was quickly replaced. They were all named Seal.

Dr. Ian Anderson was born and raised in Richmond, VA. He met his future wife, Anna, while attending Godwin High School, and they both attended Virginia Tech for their undergraduate studies. He graduated in 2018 Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. Dr. Anderson loved Blacksburg so much that he decided to stay as he attended the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. During his clinical year, he discovered a passion for internal medicine and building relationships with clients. He was awarded the college’s Certificate of Clinical Excellence in internal medicine upon graduation.

Dr. Anderson started his veterinary career with Chester Animal Clinic in July 2022 after being impressed with their high patient care standard and family-oriented practice style. He continues to be interested in internal medicine, which encompasses cases requiring a little more detective work to solve and perform soft tissue surgery. He is a firm believer in the Fear Free approach to patients, and he will do everything in his power to ensure that visits to the veterinarian will be as low-stress and enjoyable as possible. Dr. Anderson believes pets are family members and strives to go above and beyond to provide top-quality healthcare.

Dr. Anderson and Anna are happy to be back in the greater Richmond area and love the charm found all over Chester. They share a new home with Tucker, their very needy Lab Mix that Dr. Anderson rescued while in college. In his free time, Dr. Anderson enjoys fitness, soccer, cooking, watching movies, working in the yard, and exploring the outdoors. His family loves making trips back to Virginia Tech to attend tailgates and cheer on the Hokies.

Dr. Anderson is working full-time and accepting new patients. He would be happy to serve the needs of you and your pets.

Alex is the “Butler” for 3 kitties at home: Cadence (her Old Man), Drogo (a Destructive Void) and Kerrigor (the Rambunctious Kitten). In her free time, Alex enjoys cooking and reading.

She has a soft spot for the “spicier” feline patients and is the go-to for her colleagues when it comes to soothing our less-than-happy kitty cats. Alex also enjoys wrapping surgical packs!

Michelle joined the Chester team in March of 2021. She grew up in Charleston, West Virginia but spent time in California before moving to the Chesterfield area in 1993. Michelle has been passionate about animals for her whole life. If you ask what she’s most passionate about in veterinary medicine, she’ll say “all of it!”. She enjoys spending her free time horseback riding and used to compete in dressage with her Belgian Warmblood horse, Cameo. Michelle shares her home with her Staffordshire Terrier, Lil’ Bit, and a Tortoiseshell cat, Bean.

Elyse always looks forward to snuggling the pups that come in to the clinic!