Our Doctors

Barbara Sheffield, D.V.M.

Dr. Barbara Sheffield earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Florida in 1984. Her ethic and dedication placed her in the Phi Zeta Honorary Society. Dr. Sheffield has owned and worked at several practices in Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia. She served as a relief veterinarian throughout Hampton Roads since 2007, networking and building her strong reputation throughout the area. Along with her love for small animal medicine, Dr. Sheffield is also an avid equestrian breeder and trainer. She and her horses have been awarded multiple International Hunter Futurity and National Championships. She, her husband, David, and her three children live in the Pungo area of Virginia Beach.

Our Relief Doctors

Laurie Giles, DVM

Dr. Giles joined our team in January of 2022. She graduated from Ohio State University in 1983 and has a BS in Biology from Virginia Tech. Her hobbies include kayaking, paddle boarding, going to the beach, hiking, and hanging out with friends and family. At home, she has an 8 year old Golden Retriever named August. You can find Dr. Giles here at Salem most days of the week, working hard to provide the best patient care possible. We love having her as a relief vet, and our clients do, too. 

Rafique Achmetov, DVM

Rafique Achmetov ‘Dr. Rif’ received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Virginia Tech. In 2008 he obtained his Veterinary degree from Saint Georges University.  He has over 10 years of experience working in specialty/referral hospitals as well as primary care. He has performed emergency and elective surgeries. Handled traumas, toxicities/poisoning, allergies, diabetes and other endocrine/hormone abnormalities. In his free time, he loves to travel and volunteer his services. He has dedicated many hours in Europe, Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, and South America. He is an avid thrill seeker and enjoys SCUBA diving, mountain climbing, cycling, white water rafting, backpacking, camping. He can almost always be found with his yellow lab ‘Freda’ who has accompanied him on some of his adventures. 

Nolan Prock, DVM

Dr. Prock was born and raised here in Virginia Beach, VA.  After earning his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Virginia Tech in 2018 he moved to South Florida where he worked as  Associate Veterinarian and enjoyed avoiding winter.  Nolan and his partner, Katie, share their home with two cats: Mona and Po, a lab mix named Scarlet and a leopard gecko.  When not in the hospital Dr. Prock enjoys surfing, ceramics and playing volleyball and soccer.  ​

Our Practice Manager
Amanda

Amanda recently joined our practice in July of 2020. She's a mom of two amazing kids, two dogs, Duke and Jellybean, and lots of fish. Her interests outside of work include running and gardening. Since starting here at SVH, Amanda has organized our inventory, improved comradery, and helped us remain positive during Covid-19. She's definitely a lively person and loves to make others happy by dancing in the middle of the clinic.

​Our Technicians
Brooke, LVT

Brooke is our full-time, head veterinary technician. She is a graduate from Blue Ridge, but also has a bachelors degree in Psychology from JMU. She loves snuggling up with her boxer-pit mix, Toby, and her long-haired, black cat, Nala, while reading a good book or researching the latest in veterinary news.
Her favorite part of working at Salem is client education. Ask her anything! Her latest endeavor is getting engaged this past Christmas Eve (2022), and she is currently in the throws of wedding planning for 2024! 

Amanda, LVT

​Amanda started at Salem Veterinary Hospital on June 1st 2021. Her favorite hobbies include baking, drawing, and reading.  She graduated from the TCC vet tech program in Aug 2022.  She loves working with animals and always has. She grew up with lots of pets and enjoyed getting to work with them everyday. At home, she has a 9 year old German Shephard named Zoe and several black cats. Her biggest accomplishment is becoming a licensed vet tech and getting to learn exciting new things.

Our Assistants

Bethanie

Bethanie has been an assistant at Salem since July 2022, but has been a part of veterinary medicine since 2018. She is also currently working part time at an emergency veterinary hospital in Yorktown.  She is currently enrolled an online program to become a Vet Technician. When she's not at work, she likes playing video games, drawing, and watching horror movies. She lives at home with her fiancé, 3 year old son, and 3 cats - Sam, Dean, and Castiel. 

Sam

Sam began working at Salem in February of 2023. When she is not at work, she enjoys playing video games, cooking, and hanging out with her pets. At home, she lives with her girlfriend of 1 year, 3 cats, and their 9 year old pitbull, Bagyo. Her long term goals are to continue helping animals whenever she can. At some point, she'd like to work for or, better yet, own her own pet sanctuary or hospice care. 

Kaylee

In August of 2022, Kaylee began exclusively as a kennel attendant; however, now she has stepped up to help out as a veterinary assistant. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, playing guitar, and painting. She is currently in school to earn an associates degree in small business management. Kaylee chose veterinary medicine because of her love of animals. At home, she has a 6 year old Domestic Shorthair named Luna and a 5 year old Irish Setter named Opie. Kaylee isn't sure where life is going to take her, but she is open to many possibilities! 

Katie

Katie began working here in May of 2023.  Before her time with us, she worked in rescue for 4 years, but decided to try her hand at general practice because of the one on one relationships one can foster with the patients and their owners. When she is not at work, she enjoys the beach, playing cornhole, and hiking with her dogs. At home she has 7 dogs and 4 cats! In the future, she hopes to go back to school and obtain a bachelors in Animal Science. At some point, she'd like to gain experience in research or in a lab setting, but her dream job would be to one day become a veterinarian.

Our Receptionists
Taylor

Taylor, a native New Yorker, moved to Virginia Beach in 2014. She has has a life-long love for all animals and has been with us since 2017. She is our lead receptionist but is also cross-trained as an assistant. So if you don't see her smiling face greeting you at the front desk, she is likely holding a cat somewhere. Taylor is our cat whisperer, and can calm even the most nervous fur baby. She loves the outdoors (especially in the fall); kayaking, bike riding and gardening. Sometimes you'll see her bicycle outside of our clinic. Also a home-body, she loves baking, crafting her own home décor and streaming her favorite shows. She has a *now managed* addiction to Target and Amazon Prime. Taylor and her husband David, a retired Marine, were married in the fall of 2020. They have traveled most of the U.S. together and enjoy visiting National Parks. They share 2 cats: Sasha (pictured), a mouthy Siamese and the sweetest black cat, Jovie, who live with her and her modern family. A malti-poo named Moira blessed their feline family last summer. She has a preteen step-daughter, Lillian, who is her apprentice in shopping, baking, arts & crafts and all the good music. Taylor loves 80's & 90's nostalgia and is a die-hard Queen fan.   ​

Amanda

Amanda is a VB native. She graduated from Ocean Lakes High School's Math and Science academy. She is currently enrolled in the Vet Tech program at TCC and hopes to graduate in August 2024. Amanda has previous experience at Petsmart and Banfield. She owns a fat, orange tabby named "Mochi". In her spare time, she loves music and reading, and she follows more animals than people on Instagram.

Addison

Addison started working here in August of 2022. When she is not at work, she enjoys boating on the lake and riding her horse named Rip. Addison chose veterinary medicine because she grew up on a farm (Hunt Club) and her mother was always bringing animals home when she was a child. At home, she has a 2 year old pitbull named Rose and a 4 year old French Bulldog named Mavis. In the future, she would like to become an animal control officer.

Forever Our Clinic Cat

George

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announced the passing of our much beloved clinic cat, George, on June 2nd, 2023 from GI Lymphoma. He was an essential member of our family at Salem, and we know he touched many of our clients' hearts as well. George was surrendered to us in October of 2021. Since then, he had found his home amongst many people who loved him unconditionally. George loved to greet all of our clients with a friendly meow. He loved to watch YouTube videos, especially when they consisted of mice, fish, or birds. George was not afraid of other cats or dogs, in fact, he loved to make friends. You would sometimes see him consoling a crying cat in the lobby or keeping an eye on patients back in the treatment area. We were so blessed to have this special kitty in our lives. RIP George. We will see you on the other side.