OUR DOCTORS
James W. Poage, D.V.M.
Dr. James W. Poage joined Valley Animal Hospital May 28, 1980, and he purchased the hospital from Dr. Ayers on January 1, 1992. Dr. Poage graduated from Virginia Tech in 1976 with a B.S. in Dairy Science. He then attended the University of Georgia, graduating in 1980 as a D.V.M. Dr. Poage is a member of the following organizations:
AAZV - American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
AARV - Association of Amphibian & Reptile Vets
AAV - Association of Avian Veterinarians
AZA - American Zoo and Aquarium Association
AVMA - American Veterinary
Medical Association
VVMA - Virginia Veterinary Medical Association
RVVMA - Roanoke Valley Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Poage was the veterinarian for Mill Mountain Zoo for 27 years. Dr. Poage is married to Denise Poage who is the assistant office manager at Valley Animal Hospital. He has two step-children, Jayna and Matt, and his extended family includes a Jack Russell Terrier mix named Spirit, a Fox terrier mix named Amber-Grace, a Thoroughbred named Joey, and two Miniature Horses named Dinky and Sugar. His hobbies include woodworking, photography, home improvement and landscape gardening.
Paul L. Stewart, D.V.M.
Dr. Paul L. Stewart joined Valley Animal Hospital on April 1, 1999. He received his DVM degree from Kansas State University in 1996 and completed externships at Long Beach Animal Hospital, The Topeka Zoo and The National Wildlife Health Lab. Dr. Stewart has special interests in Avian and Exotic animal medicine & surgery, ultrasonography, endodontics, laser surgery and geriatric medicine. He is also a member of the following organizations:
AVMA
- American Veterinary Medical Association
ARAV
- Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians
MASAA
- Mid-Atlantic States Association of Avian Veterinarians
RVVMA
- Roanoke Valley Veterinary Medical Association
VVMA
- Virginia Veterinary Medical Association
SWVBC
- Southwestern Virginia Bird Club
Dr. Stewart and his wife Chrystie have two children, Jacob ('99) and Sara ('01). Their extended family includes two 40 pound African Spur-Thighed Tortoises, a Black Snake that belongs to Jacob and a Ball Python that belongs to Sara. Their newest addition to the family is a sweet German Shepherd named "Ally". Dr. Stewart enjoys wildlife rehabilitation, hiking, canoeing, playing drums and guitar, archery, drawing and driving his '69 Firebird.
Jessica M. Staley, D.V.M.
Dr. Jessica Staley is a 2004 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, and joined VAH on June 1, 2004. Her primary background is small animal medicine and surgery, and she has completed externships in emergency medicine and animal shelter medicine. Dr. Staley also has completed several equine clerkships and has a personal interest in horses. She is currently a member of the AVMA and VVMA. Her special interests include ultrasonography, echocardiography, and dentistry.
Dr. Staley and her husband CP have resided in Christiansburg for the last three years and have recently moved to Roanoke. They enjoy cooking, hiking, golfing, and spending time with their two dogs, Mac and Mabel, and their two cats, Gatsby and Pudgie. Jessica also enjoys horseback riding and running, and is hoping to run a marathon in the next year or two.
Jaime M. Jonen, D.V.M.
Dr. Jaime Jonen joined Valley Animal Hospital on June 15th, 2005. She is a 2005 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She was raised in Wisconsin and received her Bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Jonen is currently a member of the AVMA. Her special interests include soft tissue surgery and internal medicine. She has recently become interested in small mammal exotics, and has been interested in zoo medicine since working as a zookeeper intern during her undergraduate schooling.
Dr. Jonen moved to the Roanoke area from Iowa with her two best feline friends, Bandit and Simon, and has recently adopted a precious puppy named Timber.
Karl R. Kroenlein, D.V.M.
Dr. Karl R. Kroenlein joined Valley Animal Hospital on June 15, 2007. He received his DVM degree from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. Dr. Kroenlein has special interests in Reptile and Avian medicine & surgery, ultrasonography, pathology, cytology and orthopedic surgery. He is a member of the AVMA and VVMA.
Dr. Kroenlein and his wife Ruth Ann have a small home zoo in Blacksburg including two dogs, two cats, a green iguana, a painted turtle, and many snakes (including a small corn snake breeding program). In their free time, they enjoy traveling, hiking, fishing, going to the movies, and working in the yard and on their house.
Ralph E. Ayers, D.V.M.
Retired...enjoying life!
Dr. Ralph E. Ayers graduated from The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1954 and founded Valley Animal Hospital in 1960. He is a member of the AVMA, VVMA and RVVMA of which he is a past president.
Dr. Ayers and his wife Theda live in Roanoke county. They have two sons, Edward and Billy and a daughter Angie. Five grandchildren currently occupy a lot of the Ayers' time. Dr. Ayers is an avid golfer who doesn't let work get in his way.
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