VCA Catoosa Animal Hospital

Bios

• Daniel Nepp

  DVM

  Dr. Nepp is originally from Chattanooga, TN and went to Ooltewah High School. He then attended UT- Chattanooga and graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. We are pleased Dr. Nepp chose to return to the Chattanooga area after graduation, and he has been with VCA Catoosa Animal Hospital ever since. He specializes in small animal medicine and surgery and is currently serving as the Catoosa County Shelter Veterinarian. Vinny, a scruffy terrier mix, keeps him company at home. "I have a passion to help people and animals. I love that my cases, procedures, and people are always different each day.".

• Sara Cooper

  DVM

  Dr. Sara Cooper is originally from East Tennessee and graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. After gaining valuable experience in a few other veterinary hospitals in Tennessee, she came to Georgia and VCA Catoosa Animal Hospital in December 2006. Dr. Cooper specializes in small animal medicine and surgery. She is married to husband, Jonathan, and has a daughter and 2 stepdaughters. She has a dog, Hank, and a cat, Simon. Dr. Cooper sings with Choral Arts (a semi-professional choral ensemble in Chattanooga) and enjoys triathlons, marathons, traveling, music, reading, relaxing with friends and just playing with the family. . "I have always loved caring for animals. Now I enjoy nurturing the bond between humans and animals so that I can care for both the animals and their humans!".

• Brad Stephens

  DVM

  Dr. Brad Stephens was born in Chattanooga, TN and grew up in the Rossville, GA area. He attended Ridgeland High School and is a 2005 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed an internship at Purdue University and Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital. Dr. Stephens also worked as the Allen county ASPCA shelter veterinarian in Ft. Wayne, IN for a year. After this, he took a residency position at NE Ohio Internal Medicine Associates where he received extensive training in all facets of veterinary medicine. He returned to our area and joined the our veterinary team in February 2007. He has an interest in internal medicine: particularly infectious diseases and endocrine disease. He also enjoys performing surgeries and emergency medicine/critical care. Dr. Stephens and his wife, Casey, share their home with 5 dogs and 3 cats. "I love the challenge of difficult medical cases; especially the diagnostic/detective work required to solve advanced illnesses. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the busy hospital environment and most of all I enjoy knowing that we help people and their pets to be happy.".

• Barbara Jacobs

  DVM

  Dr. Barbara Jacobs is a 1994 graduate of Texas A&M University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She has extensive experience in small animal medicine and surgery and has worked in several practices around the country. She has been working part-time at VCA Catoosa Animal Hospital since April 2007. Dr. Jacobs enjoys mountain biking, white water kayaking, hiking and the constant quest for home improvement. She has 2 dogs, Jack and Rio, and 2 cats, BK and October. "I was lucky enough to get into vet school and way too bad at math to be an engineer. I like helping animals and their people. At the end of the day, I get paid for playing with puppies and kittens!".

• Scott Fisher

  DVM

  Dr. Fisher grew up in Huntsville, AL and received both his undergraduate and doctorate degrees from Auburn University. He graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1983. After working for several years in Kingsport, TN, he came to Ringgold and joined the VCA Catoosa Animal Hospital staff in 1988. He specializes in small animal medicine and surgery. He and his wife, Joy, have a crazy lab mix named Sophie. "I chose this career because of my love of animals, love of medicine and surgery, and love of relationships I make with the people. I can truly say it is all I've ever wanted to do. As a group, we enjoy the human animal bond. Not all days are easy, and some are down right heart breaking, but in the end, every day is worth the journey.".

• Donna Jo Painter

  DVM

  Donna Jo Painter joined our veterinary team in August 2013. She grew up in Salem, West Virginia and relocated to this area in 2001. Dr. Painter attained a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management from Auburn University in 1985, a master's degree in Biology from Eastern Kentucky University in 1991, and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University in 2000. She has an older brother, Mark, who lives in Alabama. Dr. Painter enjoys hiking, horseback riding, training dogs and Irish/Scottish music, especially Celtic Thunder. She has a family of 6 dogs-Ginny, Happy, Arrow, Jack, Greta, and Flynn McGregor-that travel with her wherever she goes. "I always wanted to take care of animals and their humans. I enjoy the excitement of emergency medicine, internal medicine, or just helping owners with their new puppies and kittens.".