Veterinarians

Meet the Veterinarians

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Dr. Upchurch

Dr. Upchurch​​​​​​​

Many children have dreams of becoming a veterinarian, but Dr. Upchurch turned her dreams into reality. She went to Auburn University for 3 years, then graduated from Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. She has been practicing at Beach Pet Hospital for 30 years, although you would never guess it considering her bubbly young spirited personality. Dr. Up has a special interest in acupuncture, massage, and cold laser therapy, so let us know if you have any questions or are interested in these options for your pet. Her favorite part about working at Beach Pet is seeing the human-animal bond. “It is heartwarming! To me, that bond is such a miracle and it is a privilege to be a part of keeping that bond strong.”
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Dr. Up has 2 pitbulls and 1 kitty cat. Kaki is a female pit, and she is the sweetest cuddle bug you will ever meet. JB is a tough cookie with a big heart, and his favorite activity is chasing squirrels and eating treats. Squeeks got his name from having the cutest meow you have ever heard. At the end of the day when the pets have settled in and eaten their dinner, Dr. Up likes to put her nose in a well-written book, knit, or crochet soft scarves.

Dr. Back

Dr. Back

Dr. Back started working at his hometown vet hospital when he was 16 years old. He graduated from Cornell in 1989 and became a partner at Beach Pet Hospital in 2004. Dr. Back’s favorite part about working at Beach Pet is enjoying the client’s bonds with their animals, and being trusted to care for their pet’s well being. Our hospital Tortoise, Mary, lives in Dr. Back’s yard in the warmer summer months. Dr. Back also has a 60-year-old Tortoise named Trudy, she's one tough shell! He is also a proud dad to his grumpy chihuahua named Berry who likes to take naps. Rocky is Dr. Back’s newest friend to join the family. He is a very sweet senior rottweiler who loves to lay on his fluffy bed and make friends with our staff while visiting us at work.
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Dr. Back enjoys surfing with his favorite board and playing soccer on the beach. He also loves to attend music festivals, and 2 of his favorites are FloydFest and the locally famous Something In the Water. His favorite part about SITW was watching Snoop Dog play basketball. Dr. Back's favorite Snoop Dog quote is “If it's flipping hamburgers at McDonald's, be the best hamburger flipper in the world. Whatever it is you do you have to master your craft”.

Dr. Laurence

Dr. Laurence

Dr. Laurence is a native of Virginia Beach. He attended the University of Virginia for his undergraduate and Virginia Tech for his veterinary degree. He is a member of the AVMA and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. He joined the Beach Pet team in September 2009 after working in small animal emergency medicine for 6 years. Dr. Laurence has many interests in veterinary medicine, including soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. He and his wife, Erin, have one son named Brian who loves to play baseball. His pets include Owen the golden retriever and two kitty cats named Arlo and Jax. Laurence's interest outside of veterinary medicine includes spending time with his family, running and following his favorite sports teams (particularly UVA athletics and the Boston Red Sox). He also likes to travel and most recently did a cruise touring the Caribbean islands.

Dr. Gagnon

Dr. Gagnon

Dr. Gagnon’s first veterinary experience was working as a kennel assistant at an animal hospital in Portsmouth during her summers home from college. She attended Virginia Tech for undergraduate studies and vet school. Her undergraduate degree was in Animal Science, which is why she still has a soft spot for cattle and sheep. Dr. Gagnon’s favorite part about working at Beach Pet is getting to know her clients and bonding with their pets. Dr. Gagnon says “I feel like part of the family when clients give me the privilege of taking care of their pets. It is an honor!”. She also loves working with her colleagues and incredible support staff.
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Dr. Gagnon has one tuxedo cat named Monte who likes to bask in the sun. He likes to bird watch, but not chase! If you do not know Dr. Gagnon, then we should tell you that she is a 1930’s film buff! Her favorite movies are “Double Indemnity” and “Singing in the Rain”.

Dr. Imrich

Dr. Imrich

Dr. Imrich holds his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and received his doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from Virginia Tech in 2006. As a member of the AVMA, his interests are in internal medicine, cardiology, oncology, and ultrasound. Dr. Imrich’s favorite thing about working at BPH is using our ultrasound machine to help diagnose his patients and provide excellent care. Dr. Imrich is especially talented in cytology as well, and is a great source for questions from the staff if needed.

He is a Virginia Beach local and Cox High School graduate. He joined the staff at Beach Pet Hospital in 2014. His hobbies include running, windsurfing, diving and most recently gardening with his wife, Trista. “Henry The Tank Owner Of The House” is a poodle mix who completes their family. Dr. Imrich likes to spend time with his son, Cody, while taking Henry for a hike on a warm sunny day.

Dr. Andrews

Dr. Andrews

Dr. Andrews knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from the age of 5 when she stated it at her kindergarten graduation. Even from a young age she was very determined and set out on her journey to become a DVM. She received her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She then went on to graduate from Ross University where she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. Her professional interests include Internal Medicine, Dermatology, shelter medicine, exotic care, and rehabilitation. Her favorite part about working at Beach Pet is examining her favorite breed, the West Highland Terrier. She loves all animals no matter what shape or size but has to admit that Westies have a special place in her heart.
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Dr. Andrews shares a home with a feisty Westie named Brady, a 7lb terrier mix named Logan, Oscar the shih tzu, and an American pit bull terrier named Bourbon. Dr. Andrews's idea of a perfect day is starting with an early morning workout, then sunbathing on the beach. Then she would play a quick game of Wiffle ball with her league mates and then head to a sports bar just in time to watch the Patriots game. Go Pats!

Dr. Bell

Dr. Bell​​​​​​​

Dr. Bell started her journey as a kennel assistant and worked her way up to the hospital setting as an assistant. She then went to school while working in a clinic. She graduated from Virginia Tech’s vet school in May of 2019. She transferred there after going to a Caribbean school for 1 semester and living on an island. Her favorite part about working at Beach Pet is forming relationships with her clients and their pets. She says “I love watching them grow from a puppy/kitten to their older wiser years. I can be a part of their care at every stage of their life.” Dr. Bell has two labs/hound mixed doggies named Abby and Gibbs. The hound pups love to snuggle and groom Penelope who owns the house! Penelope is Dr. Bell’s 3-year-old kitty, and she is cute as a button.
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Dr. Bell enjoys outdoor activities in the summer, and arts and crafts in the cooler months around the holidays. Whichever season it is, Dr. Bell spends her free time with her husband and son. Her son, Gabe, enjoys climbing, riding his bike, and playing around outside in the sun.

Dr. Johnson

Dr. Johnson obtained her bachelor's degree in biology at University of North Carolina in 2005 before attending Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in which she became a DVM in 2009. Dr. Johnson was an ER technician before attending vet school and completed multiple ER externships in her fourth year at MSU. Dr. Johnson started her DVM career in general practice after graduation and later pursued her interest in ER medicine in 2019. She joined our BPH team in 2021 and also currently works as a relief veterinarian at Bay Beach Veterinary Emergency Hospital.

Dr. Johnson has two rottweilers named Kratos and Lysandros who are best buddies to her two feline friends named Oliver and Sebastian. She enjoys outdoor activities with her pups, skydiving, and riding motorcycles for fun. Her idea of a perfect day is riding in her Bronco to the beach to spend the day with Kratos and Lysandros having fun in the sun.

A30master none 8:00 am - 5:30 pm 8:00 am - 10:00 pm 8:00 am - 5:30 pm 10:00 am - 10:00 pm 8:00 am - 5:30 pm 8:00 am - 12:00 pm 8:00 am - 12:00 pm veterinarian # # #