Patricia Young DVM, CVA, CCRP

As a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Patricia Young has always been a self-proclaimed animal lover. Dogs, cats, and horses were some of her best companions and friends while growing up. She has fond memories of time spent with her horse, riding through the woods at Christmastime to pick out the family Christmas tree. When her horse broke its shoulder, Dr. Young learned early on about the value of comforting and caring for a beloved pet. Throughout her childhood, her family enjoyed camping and she developed a deep appreciation for wildlife. Her parents strongly emphasized education and encouraged her to reach for any goal she chose. As a result, Dr. Young aimed high and has achieved many academic and professional successes during her veterinary career, which have laid the foundation for her work today.

As owner, general practitioner, and Director of the Companion Animal Rehabilitation Services at Steele Creek Animal Hospital, Dr. Young approaches each day with an open attitude toward veterinary medicine. "Learning is career long...new procedures, new diseases, new pharmaceuticals, new diagnostics come on the medical horizon each day," she said. "Every day I feel I can make a difference in animals' lives and the lives of the people who love them. Encouraging that bond is very gratifying."

Dr. Young attended Meredith College in Raleigh, NC for her undergraduate studies where she earned concurrent bachelor's degrees in chemistry and biology, was a member of the Kappa Nu Sigma Scholastic Honor Society, and received the prestigious "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges" honor, which marks the pinnacle of scholastic achievement and identifies individuals who demonstrate strength in leadership, service, and community involvement. Our veterinarian graduated magna cum laude in 1975 and immediately pursued her veterinary studies at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.

While in veterinary school, Dr. Young continued to excel as a student and a leader. She was the recipient of many awards and honors including the Dean Emeritus Thomas J. Jones Cup (awarded for outstanding 4th year student), the Upjohn Clinical Award (exceptional proficiency in small animal medicine), and the Blanche D. Hayes Award (proficiency in feline medicine and surgery). She also served as an acting member of the Phi Zeta veterinary honor society and the Gamma Sigma Delta agricultural honor society and was named president of her American Veterinary Medical Association's student chapter. For a second time, Dr. Young received the acclaimed honor of being named on the "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges" list. After veterinary school, she completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Illinois from 1979-80.

Dr. Young's career engages her in many different areas of veterinary medicine. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians, the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, the American Veterinary Dental Society and the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. Her professional interests include physical rehabilitation, pain management, senior care, dentistry, and acupuncture.

Dedicated to the practice and research of Charlotte veterinary rehabilitation, Dr. Young applies her knowledge and expertise in this area to incorporate non-invasive approaches for the optimal treatment of your pet. She is certified in both veterinary physical rehabilitation and acupuncture and is committed to using both in order to help your pet reach his/her full functional potential.

Her love of animals knows no bounds and Dr. Young cares not only for your pets but for her own. She shares her home with her husband, Terry Herrington, and their two dogs and two horses. Over the years, she has spent many hours in obedience training and competitions with several of her dogs, has participated in therapy dog visitations with her Irish setter and Great Dane, and has been a committed volunteer for the local Great Dane Rescue program.

Dr. Young has owned four white deaf Danes and trained three of them with hand signals. Her fourth, Gracie, was adopted from the Great Dane Rescue after having been discarded by her previous owner and found crawling alongside a road. Dr. Young rescued her, instilled confidence through patience and attention, and eventually Gracie learned to identify and locate Dr. Young through scent. "She crawled into our lives and trotted happily through life with us for eight years," Dr. Young said.

When she is not at the office, Dr. Young prioritizes time with Terry, a former chemist at Hoechst Celanese. Although Terry retired in 1997, he happily lends his expertise to Steele Creek Animal Hospital by helping with the business side of the practice. Together, they enjoy spending time with their pets, walking their dogs, and camping. Dr. Young also enjoys hiking, boating, canoeing, horseback riding, and traveling—especially to places where she can view and embrace nature, wildlife, and the wilderness. She also likes to stay in shape with yoga and loves to try new things. Not too long ago, she went para-gliding in the Teton range.