Sherle R. Thompson, Veterinarian & Owner

A “hometown girl,” Dr. Sherle R. Thompson grew up in nearby Hixson and remembers always bringing new animals home as a child.

“I have always known I would be a vet, since as far back as I can remember,” she says.

Dr. Thompson completed her undergraduate studies in Animal Science at Auburn University in 1993, and earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine at the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. Upon graduating, she spent time doing relief work for local veterinary hospitals and opening her own mobile veterinary practice. Dr. Thompson joined the staff of South Rhea Animal Hospital in 2000, becoming an owner in 2005. Three years later she was instrumental in the founding and building of Sequoyah Animal Hospital. Dr. Thompson is now our animal hospital’s primary owner and manager.

“I like the challenge of diagnosing cases, being able to come up with a treatment plan and seeing the results,” she says.

Dr. Thompson is a member of the American, Tennessee, and Hamilton Veterinary Medical Associations. Her veterinary interests include internal medicine, reproduction, and cosmetic surgery.

“More recently, I’ve become involved in reproduction, especially focusing on working dogs such as German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds,” she says. “Soon we will be adding semen collection, frozen semen services, etc. to our hospital.”

Dr. Thompson raises German Shepherds and enjoys the orthopedic challenges the breed presents. She specializes in PennHip radiographs and frequently has clients who travel from out of state for orthopedic evaluations

When she has free time, Dr. Thompson enjoys movies, eating out with friends, camping, and water sports as well as competing in dog sports. Her primary competition dog (pictured here) is Hollywood.


Casey DeStasio, Associate Veterinarian

Dr. DeStasio is a 2020 graduate of Kansas State University and joined our practice in July 2020. During her undergrad at DeSales University, studied biology with a minor in chemistry.

She has wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as she can remember! She enjoys equine medicine, reproduction, and surgery. She has recently become an expert at tube feeding as she immediately acquired a newborn pup with a cleft palate within the first week of starting here.

When she is not at work, she enjoys horseback riding, outdoor activities and a good afternoon nap when she can squeeze one in (because let’s face it – newborns are exhausting, pups included)! In addition to her cats, she has 3 dogs, Cairo the Labrador, and 2 German Shepherds, Alpha and Honey.


Molly Shaw, Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Molly Shaw is a 2019 graduate of the University Of Tennessee College Of Veterinary Medicine. She joined our practice in January 2021. During her undergraduate studies at UTK, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science and dual minors in Music Performance and Biology.

Dr. Shaw’s experience with a wide variety of animals, growing up on her family farm, ultimately led her to become a veterinarian. Some of her main passions in the field of veterinary medicine include: pain management and anesthesia, dentistry, reproduction, and public education.

Away from the clinic, Dr. Shaw enjoys many of the gifts that the Great Outdoors has to offer such as horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and gardening. She also continues her passion for music by playing her trumpet and singing – but not at the same time. She’s a sucker for board games and classic movies, especially the westerns. She loves spending time with her husband, Jonathan, 3 dogs; Cody, Cassidy, and Sundance, 3 cats; Calamity Jane, Wild Bill, and Outlaw, 2 horses; Captain and Hondo, and her Jeep, Nellybelle.

Born and raised a stone’s throw away from Sequoyah Animal Hospital in Dayton TN, she is thrilled to be serving her hometown community and surrounding areas.


Mary Ray, Associate Veterinarian

Bio & Photo Coming Soon!