VCA Becker Animal Hospital

Bios

• Cathy Rice

  DVM

  Dr. Rice was born on December 14th in Savannah, Georgia. She graduated high school and went on to college at Auburn University. She got her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1998 in Zoology, and became a Veterinarian in 2001. Dr. Rice specializes in all fields of Veterinary Medicine, but especially feline internal medicine, dermatology, and oncology. Dr. Rice and her husband, Andrew, have two sons Tucker and Liam . They also have two dogs, Ali & Bogey. She enjoys spending time with family and going to Auburn Football Games in her spare time. Why do I do what I do? "I love practicing veterinary medicine. It is the perfect combination of interacting with people and their pets and problem solving. I certainly love dogs and cats, but it is the human interaction that makes my job so rewarding.".

• Amber Blackburn

  DVM

  Dr. Amber Flora Blackburn was born and raised in Frankfort, KY. She attended the University of Kentucky where she received a bachelor's in biology prior to being admitted to Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Blackburn received her DVM from Auburn in 2009. After graduation Dr. Blackburn worked in Cincinnati, OH, for 2 years. Dr. Blackburn and her husband, Justin, moved to Birmingham in 2011. She and her husband have a 14 year old Chihuahua, Atina, 8 year old Cairn Terriers, Grimsby and Maddux, and a 3 year old Cockatiel, Cecil. Dr. Blackburn and her husband are also expecting a son in March 2013. Dr. Blackburn enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine but has a special interest in surgery. She is a member of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Association as well as the American Veterinary Medical Association. Why do I do what I do? " I knew from a very young age that veterinary medicine was what I wanted to do with my life. It is all I ever wanted to do. I enjoy helping people and their pets!"

• Shelley Parsons

  DVM, Associate Veterinarian

  Dr. Shelley Williams Parsons is originally from Scottsboro, Alabama. Her father was a veterinarian and she literally grew up in his veterinary clinic. She chose to follow in his footsteps and received a Bachelors in Biomedical Science from the University of South Alabama before going on to Auburn University for veterinary school. Following her graduation from Auburn, Dr. Parsons worked at her father's clinic in Scottsboro for 13 years. She currently lives in Mountain Brook with her Husband, Bill, and her beagle/pointer mix, Bonefish. She loves to travel and plan trips to new countries. She enjoys boating and fishing. Her favorite part of being a veterinarian is meeting new people and establishing a bond between them and their pets.

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