Does your pet need care?
Our highly-trained emergency veterinarians and technicians have a passion for providing compassionate, quality care.
Emergency Vet Care in the North Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina Tri-State area
Mountain Emergency Animal Center is the only animal emergency hospital in the North Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina Tri-State area that is open at night, all weekend, and all major holidays, with a full staff of veterinarians and technicians in the hospital at all times, allowing complete continuation of care for your pet when your family veterinary office is closed.
Our Doctors
Dr. Mary Pat Hill
Medical Director and Emergency Veteriarian
Dr. Mary Pat Hill was born in Newberry SC and moved to Lexington SC when she was 6 years old. She attended school there and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC.
Her family had a small hobby farm, and she grew up with cows, horses, and all the stray animals that showed up! Before starting veterinary school, she lived her best life being a National Park Ranger, a teacher, and research scientist in California. She made her way back to the Southeast and attended veterinary school at University of Georgia, graduating in 1999. Soon after graduation she began a career in Emergency Medicine. After starting a family, she left the night time life and worked days, adding to her experience at spay neuter clinics and general practice. She has extensive experience with all aspects of veterinary medicine and is extremely happy to be here at MEAC.
Dr Hill lives with 3 cats and a dog, and in her free time you can find her hiking the Appalachian Trail, riding horses, and training for her next trail run!
Phyllis Richardson DVM
Emergency Veterinarian
Tonya Shinholster
Practice Manager
Tonya has been with Mountain Emergency Animal Center since July 2010. She earned her Associates Degree in Animal Science, Livestock Health and Livestock Production at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton Georgia.
She started her career as an assistant in the veterinary field in Spring of 1997. Moving from an assistant in general practice to an assistant in emergency, she now serves as MEAC’s practice manager.
In her spare time, Tonya enjoys barrel racing, pole bending and perfecting the trade of leatherwork.
She and her husband Blake, share their home with an Australian Cattle Dog named Josie Mae, a border collie/ heeler mix named Timber and a variety of horses that make up their small breeding operation of performance horses.
Patricia Legg
Customer Service Lead and Accounting Supervisor
Tricia came to MEAC in October of 2020. Having an extensive background in customer service, she enjoys making clients feel at ease and cared for. She and her husband of over 30 years have two grown children, 2 dogs and 4 cats. In their spare time they might be found traveling cross-country, enjoying the open road and RV camping.
Erin Gwinn
Customer Service
Erin grew up in Tallahassee, Fl where her love of animals began early in life. She was always bringing home stray animals to care for. In her spare time, she enjoys landscaping her yard, going to the lake and reading. She also enjoys spending time with her cats, Frankie, Kiki, Winnie and Merlin.
