James G. Simmons, D.V.M.; M.S.

Dr. Simmons grew up in Bridgewater, Virginia. He received his B.S. in General Science from Bridgewater College.  He attended Virginia Tech and received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia. While at Georgia he was elected to membership in the honorary societies of Gamma Sigma Delta, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Zeta and served two sessions on the Honor Court of the Veterinary  School.

He received an M.S. in Surgery from the University of Virginia Medical School. Before returning to the area, he was employed in small animal practices in Baltimore, Maryland and Charlottesville, VA and was employed at the University of Virginia Medical School as Assistant Director of the Vivarium and Assistant Professor of Surgery.  Dr. Simmons opened Ashby Animal Clinic in October of 1974 and has been continuously employed as a Small Animal Clinician since opening the practice.

Dr. Simmons is married, the father of two daughters and grandfather of 6 children and stepchildren. He has served in many capacities in the community and in the veterinary profession through memberships in VVMA, AVMA, Blue Ridge Veterinary Medical Association, D. C. Academy of Veterinary Medicine, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Harrisonburg, and as an elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Sarah Whitman, D.V.M.; M.S. - Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Sarah Whitman has been working at Ashby Animal Clinic since July of 1991. Dr. Whitman received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Virginia Tech in 1989 and her Masters in Bovine Reproduction from Virginia Tech in 1984.  Dr. Whitman enjoys the medicine side of small animal practice. She works part-time at Ashby Animal Clinic and part-time at Ashby Herd Health Services in embryo transfer services.

Dr. Whitman and her husband, Dr. Dan Hadacek, and their two sons live on a farm in Augusta County and raise beef cattle and sheep. Dr. Whitman enjoys spending time with her family, horse-back riding and gardening.

Dr. Lisa May Moran, D.V.M.; M.S. - Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Lisa May Moran has returned to Ashby Animal Clinic as an Associate Veterinarian. Dr. May, who goes by her maiden name professionally, is a graduate of Virginia Tech. She received her veterinary degree from Purdue University Veterinary School in Indiana. Dr. May practiced large animal medicine as well as small animal medicine at Ashby Animal Clinic beginning in 1987.

She is returning to AAC with an emphasis on small animal medicine. Dr. May is a native of Broadway. She resides in Rockingham County with her husband, Chris, and 3 sons. Her animal family includes a Boston Terrier, Pudge, and Ginger, a tabby cat. Outdoor animals vary with her son’s projects and include heifers, lambs, chickens and geese.

Tara Bell, D.V.M.; M.S. - Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Tara Bell is from Williamsburg, VA.  She completed her undergraduate program at VA Tech- Animal Science, and received her BS degree in 2001 as DVM.  In 2007, Dr. Bell met her husband, Dave, in Farrier school, located in Colorado, where, until recently, she served as a small and mixed animal vet. Dr. Bell and her husband have a son, Jackson; and have returned to her home state of Virginia to be nearer to family.  She is pleased to be working with the team at Ashby Animal Clinic.

Dr. Bell has an interest in sports, hiking, fishing, and the civil war; and she enjoys raising her family and working within the community of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley!