Our Doctors
Melissa Mays, DVM
Medical Director
Dr. Melissa Mays graduated from the University of Florida in 2009 and completed a small animal internship in Chicago. She then relocated to Chattanooga, TN, where she dedicated the past 15 years to emergency and critical care medicine at VCA River. During her tenure, she served as an associate emergency doctor, Chief of Emergency, and Intern Director. Dr. Mays recently earned her Professional MBA from the University of Tennessee and is thrilled to join the team at Shallowford Animal Hospital as Medical Director. She is passionate about providing the best possible care for her patients and is dedicated to ensuring a positive client experience. Dr. Mays thrives on efficiency and excels at developing and communicating clear medical recommendations for any situation, ensuring both her clients and their beloved animals receive top-notch care. She looks forward to applying both her DVM and MBA expertise in her new role. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and their dog, Ruby Slippers CoCo Chaos.
Catherine Mabe, DVM
Dr. Catherine Mabe graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. Upon graduation she practiced veterinary medicine for two years in Bethesda, MD. Then in 1988, Dr. Mabe returned to her native city of Chattanooga to become an associate of Dr. Charles Byles at Lakeside Veterinary Clinic. Following Dr. Byles’ retirement in 1994, Dr. Mabe and Dr. Bearden became partners in purchasing Lakeside Veterinary Clinic, which has now been renamed Shallowford Animal Hospital. Dr Mabe’s personal belief is that “our pets enrich our lives immeasurably, and deserve all the love, attention, and care of which we are capable.” Dr. Mabe is a certified in acupuncture therapy and is working on certification in Chinese herbal formulas, and food therapy. She has initial training in massage therapy. The approach of Eastern medicine has a different perspective on the definition of health, describing it as achieving balance in the body, not just eliminating the disease.
Sandy Hamilton, DVM
Dr. Sandy Hamilton graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and moved to Chattanooga. After graduation, she completed a Small Animal Rotating Internship here in Chattanooga at the Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals (RIVER). Dr. Hamilton enjoys emergency
medicine as well as surgery and general practice. Outside of veterinary medicine, she loves playing volleyball, spending quality time with her family, and reading. She has a special soft spot for Dachshunds and Pit Bulls, and currently has two Pit mixes at home. She has special interest in ultrasound and preventive medicine and uses Fear Free techniques when possible.
Christopher Perry, DVM
Dr. Perry aspired to become a veterinarian since his early childhood years in Georgia. Prior to attending the University of Georgia for his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree, Dr. Perry held a wide range of animal related jobs. This included working in kennels, milking dairy cows, and even performing research in an equine reproduction laboratory. Despite these experiences with animals of all shapes and sizes, Dr. Perry still holds dogs and cats as his favorites. This love of companion animals propelled him to complete advanced training during a one year emergency based internship. This training enhanced Dr. Perry’s medical skills and his commitment to delivering the best in patient care. Following his internship, Dr. Perry spent two years in general practice in Virginia before returning to Chattanooga. Dr. Perry’s interests include client education, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery.
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Perry can be found enjoying many outdoor activities Chattanooga has to offer such as canoeing and hiking with his wife Sumer and son Griffin. The Perry family recently took home Libby, the Boykin Spaniel pictured in the above photo, and are training her to be an upland bird dog.
Sharon Swears, DVM
Dr. Sharon Swears, a Chesapeake Virginia native, received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Lincoln Memorial University. She has a rescue dog named Lola and is hoping to add to the family soon!
Dr. Swears has always known she wanted to be in the veterinary industry, but it wasn’t concrete until she started working in wildlife rehabilitation. It was then that she was able to see the selflessness that people who truly loved the profession had. She knew from that moment, that was where she belonged. After wildlife rehab, she was able to observe the research and clinical side of veterinary medicine. She witnessed the importance of the relationship, both small and large animal, veterinarians make with the clients and how important that is to patient care. She is excited to start building relationships with her home base veterinary staff here at Shallowford, and the local community that trusts them to provide the best medicine.
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Swears enjoys kayaking, hiking and camping with Lola, visiting farmers markets, and movie or TV marathons.
