Why Choose Us?
We are a loving and caring team of veterinarians dedicated to helping your pet live a long and happy life with you.
Our team is trained to perform thorough and comprehensive exams to ensure your pet is healthy. We aim to prevent any health issues by providing annual exams, emergency services, and quality surgical procedures. With us, your pet is in good hands.
Meet Our Team
Dr. David P. Stroud
Dr. David P. Stroud, DVM
Dr. David P. Stroud, DVM graduated from UGA in 1994 and joined the practice that year. He loves spending time with his family.
Dr. Doug Smith
Dr. Doug Smith
Dr. Doug Smith was raised in the Midlands of South Carolina and graduated from Spring Valley HS. He went into the Navy for 6 years as a nuclear propulsion operator. He graduated from Clemson University then went to UGA Vet School and finished in 1992. He spent most of his formative years on a “pseudo farm” which is where his love for animals took root. After vet school he spent 5 years in both small animal clinical and emergency clinic medicine, and then in small animal private practice for many years. He then worked at Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center as a diagnostician until he found us!
He has 2 sons (30 & 27) and 3 step daughters. His lovely wife Crystal works full time in ministry with special needs children of all ages. They have 2 dogs: Clover is a hound cross and Mando is a Corgi cross. Dr. Smith also enjoys working out, sports, motorcycles and reading non fiction. Please give him a big welcome with us!
Dr. Howard Zeigler
Dr. Howard Zeigler
Dr. Howard Zeigler grew up in central Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg, wanting to be a marine biologist. After earning a B.S. in marine biology at Florida Institute of Technology and a year of studies in animal behavior at Binghamton University, Howard realized that the world of distant research was not for him. He then changed course and moved to Georgia to apply for veterinary school. Howard completed his DVM at the University of Georgia in 2021. He has lived, worked, and studied in Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Indiana, and Georgia- and is excited to settle in Walhalla, South Carolina, completing that list.
Howard hopes to leverage his background in marine biology to start seeing more exotic pets, especially turtles. He enjoyed the companionship of dogs growing up. Having had a cat for the last 6 years now, he is anxiously waiting until he has a backyard so that he can have a dog again. He feels that the choice between a Rottweiler, a Greyhound, or a Great Dane will be quite difficult. He is a husband and a father of two children. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, climbing, and canoeing.
Mary Ellen Dillard
Mary Ellen Dillard
Mary Ellen has worked with Walhalla Veterinary Hospital since May of 2011. She is a long-time animal lover that started by rescuing baby possums when she was 10 years old. She and her husband, daughter, 4 dogs, 1 possum and 1 hamster live in West Union. She loves people and finding joy in life, and tries to encourage goodness in the world. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, thrift shopping, painting, gardening and family time.
Samantha Sims LVT
Samantha Sims LVT, Licensed Veterinary Technician
Samantha is a graduate of Tri-County Technical College with an associate degree in Applied Science with a major in Veterinary Technology. After graduation, she took her national and state boards and became a licensed Veterinary Technician. Samantha joined the Walhalla Veterinary Hospital team in October of 2020. She has two dogs named Sully and Gracie.
Valentina Vargas
Valentina Vargas, Veterinary Assistant
Valentina loves food, hiking, animals, traveling, and hanging out with her fur- babies at home. She is grateful for having the opportunity to work with other people that love animals also, and to be a part of helping these beautiful sentient beings we call our family.
Mitch Vansickle
Mitch Vansickle, Veterinary Assistant
Mitch has worked with Walhalla Veterinary Hospital since 2013. He loves spending time with his family and fur-babies.
Helen Flowers
Helen Flowers, CSR
Helen loves her family. She’s a blessed mom of two college kids, wife to an awesome man, lover of all animals- especially her Jack Russell, Jaxson. She loves meeting all the fur-babies and loving on them all.
Krysta Kokay
Krysta Kokay, CSR
Krysta is grateful for her position at Walhalla Veterinary Hospital because she loves working with people and animals. She is helpful and kind, and she takes pride in her ability to remain calm and positive through work situations. Outside of work, Krysta enjoys crafting and cooking. She spends free time with her husband, son, 3 dogs and pet dragon. She loves her life and family!
Cristi Snelgrove
Cristi Snelgrove, CSR
In loving memory, we love you and miss you.
Cristi joined Walhalla Veterinary Hospital in May of 2020. She is a great cook and spoils the staff with lots of yummy treats. She is happily married to a good man, has a step-son that she loves, and also adores her dog-babies- Lil’ Foot, Nemo & Otis.
