Jill M. Patt, D.V.M., Alta Mesa Animal Hospital Medical Director    
In May of 2000, after returning to her home town in the Valley of the Sun, Dr. Patt began practicing at our hospital and has recently become our hospital's new medical director.  Throughout her life, her home has been filled to overflowing with "little critters" of all types. As long as she could remember she wished to become a veterinarian and worked towards that goal. She was fortunate enough to attend WSU where she completed her bachelors in Veterinary Science, graduating Magna Cum Laude.  She also obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from WSU where she was a member of the Veterinary Honors Society of Phi Zeta and again graduated Magna Cum Laude. 

The primary focus while obtaining her DVM was small and exotic animals. The term "small animals" in veterinary medicine is used to refer to dogs and cats. While the term "exotic animals" indicates birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, rodents, and other "unusual" pets. Because she has kept, shown, raised and basically spent her life with all of the above types of animals she felt that this "non-traditional" species tract was the perfect choice for her. Her ultimate goal in the practice of veterinary medicine is to provide her furry, feathered, or scaly patients with the care and attention their guardians would expect for themselves.  

She is also very actively involed in education and has taught animal nursing and clinical pathology in the Mesa Community College Veterinary Technician Program and is currently Involved in the Community Education program with the college.  This affilation allows our hospital to bring programs such as "Pet First Aid" to our clients. 

Additionally, Dr. Patt has authored a web site devoted to small and exotic pet care which can be viewed at:   www.littlecrittersvet.com.  Her web site inculdes extensive educational information in addition to a large photo gallery. We are utilizing her web site for our exotic pages and our photo album.  We invite you to tour our pages. 

Andrea Swisher, D.V.M. 

Born and raised in the Valley of the Sun. She attended Arizona State University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She then went on to spend four years in the Pacific Northwest where she attended Oregon State University and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. While in vet school, she stayed active in many clubs and received several academic and non-academic honors.  Deciding to become a veterinarian was a life altering decision as it granted her the ability to fuse her passion for animals with the knowledge, skills, and ability to treat them medically. Her professional interests include surgery and internal medicine, and her passion lies in pain management.  She is devoted to her responsibility to grow and learn continually as new knowledge is discovered in the field of veterinary medicine. 
The love of her life is a two-year-old Great Dane she rescued named Gabby who keeps her very busy. She also has a cat named Pumpkin that found her way to her porch and her heart while she was in Oregon.  In her free time, she enjoys staying active by running, hiking, swimming, or taking Gabby to the dog park. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, watching movies, or just relaxing at home.  She is very close to her family and is happy to be living in the same state as them again.  

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