Ever since she was 11 years old, Dr. Patchell dreamed of being an “animal doctor”. At 16, she talked the local veterinarian in her hometown of West Memphis into volunteering, which eventually led to an after school job of cleaning the clinic and helping with animal care. After graduating high school, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree with an emphasis in animal science at the University of Arkansas, while working part-time as a lab assistant at the rabbitry and poultry farms. Dr. Patchell was accepted to Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine and received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine with an award in feline medicine. Following graduation, she practiced small animal medicine in West Memphis for 1 year and large and small animal medicine for 3 years in Conway. While in Conway, she met Heber Springs native Doug Patchell. They married and moved to his hometown in 1984 and began a small animal practice here in Heber Springs.
Dr. Patchell is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association. In 2000, Governor Mike Huckabee appointed Dr. Patchell for a five year term to the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Examining Board and renewed the appointment for another five years in 2005. She and Doug attend First Baptist Church.
Allison and Doug will have been married for a !!!BUSY!!! 27 years in December! Doug is a second grade teacher at Heber Springs Elementary School and spends time volunteering at AETN. They have one daughter, Cara, who is married to Chance Tharp (another Heber Springs native). Cara is now a graduate from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Interior Merchandising. Chance is a 2006 graduate of OSU with a degree in business. After Cara's graduation, they moved to Little Rock and both are working in the banking industry.
Dr. Patchell likes to spend any spare time she has (Ha!) riding Marco, her horse. Other family members include Sera the standard poodle, Martha and Lacy the cats, and a new addition Louie Vuitton a precious puppy of unkown heritage but a very classy canine!!
"I have never wanted to be anything else other than a veterinarian, and consider myself so blessed to live my dream.”
Dr. Allison Patchell, DVM-
Dr. Rebecca Fryar-
Dr. Fryar works with us part time. She graduated in 1999 from The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a special interest in feline medicine.
Peggy Sue - Official Lap Warmer
Where there is a lap there is Peggy Sue. If she isn't trying to make her way into someone's lap she is doing what she does best. SLEEPING!! Peggy, believe it or not, is 15 years old!!!
Dockers - Door Greeter
"Hello and welcome To Patchell Veterinary Clinic". As the Official Door Greeter, Dockers welcomes all our patients and clients when they arrive. Poor Dockers suffers from irritable bowel disease but never complains.
Tag - The Intern
Tag is still in training. Peggy Sue and Dockers are teaching him everything they know. Most days he hangs out up front with Dockers greeting our patients and clients. Tag was born without his right rear foot, but it certainly does not slow him down.
Jamie Wright - Patient Care Coordinator
Jamie came to work for the clinic in August of 2002. Jamie makes sure all patients receive the "tender love and care" they deserve. She is in charge of ordering food for the clinic and maintaining the web site. Before coming to work here Jamie found out her mom had attended high school with Dr. Patchell. Jamie currently has no “human” children but she does have two cats, Sadie & Bella and two dogs, a Beagle mix, Brutus Dexter and a Pomeranian, Teddy Bear.
Amber Pruett - Veterinary Assistant
Amber came to Arkansas in February of 2006 from the great state of Texas. Amber had previously worked for a veterinarian in Texas for 3 years. Amber began working in the kennel area cleaning and taking care of the boarders at night and on weekends and quickly made her way to a full time assistant. She assists Dr Patchell with appointments, surgery, radiographs, and any hospital care. She runs labwork and assures specimens are sent to appropriate labs. Amber is amazing with all our patients. She has a dachshund/chihuahua mix named Caine, a pitbull mix named D.C, a rottweiler mix named Winchester, and cat named Mayham.
Kathy Parrott - Kennel Manager
Kathy became a team member in February of 2007. She is great with animals and loves making them feel at home in our boarding facility. She does have two cats, Baby Boy, that lives with her brothers, and Sookie. Kathy loves cats especially Peggy Sue, Dockers and Tag.
Amber Lynn Shafer - Receptionist
Amber Lynn joined our crew as a receptionist in December 2007. She has been a wonderful addition to the team. Her bright personality is welcoming to all our clients and patients. Amber Lynn loves animals of all kinds. She used to work as a receptionist for a "human" doctor's office and still plans to attend nursing school. She currently has a cat named Nathan and a Miniature Schnauzer named Gypsy. On May 4th, 2009, Amber Lynn welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Paige to her family.
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