Dr.Peter G. Fisher grew up on Long Island where he graduated from Syosset high school in 1972. His fascination with animals started early in life and as a youngster had a variety of animal companions including: dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, ducks, chickens, homing pigeons, a turtle and a pet pig. The pig in particular was quite a sensation in this suburban community.

After high school he attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, receiving a B.S. in Animal Science in December, 1975. Four years of doctorate education at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine followed where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class in 1980. Upon graduation he moved to Portsmouth, Virginia upon the advice of two close college friends who already lived in the area. Four years of associate work at two area veterinary hospitals followed. In 1984 he opened Pet Care Veterinary Hospital starting with the help of one receptionist and one assistant. Dr. Fisher's obvious love of animals, sincere compassion and strong work ethic has helped Pet Care to grow to a 5 doctor, 16 employee facility. His special interests include exotic animal medicine, cytology, surgery and educating clients and budding veterinarians. Senior veterinary students come from around the United States to spend several weeks of their senior year at Pet Care observing and learning from the hospitals five talented doctors.

Outside of the office Dr. Fisher enjoys the company of his wife, Alicelynne, two children, Emily and Adam, and a houseful of pets. He enjoys the outdoors and gardening, canoeing, hiking and back packing are avidly pursued when time allows. Dr. Fisher enjoys music and working out; preferably in combination. He also enjoys writing and editing and has written articles for Exotic DVM magazine, Lab Animal Medicine magazine, Veterinary Clinics of North America, and the Oxbow Pet Products web site.

Dr. Fisher's passion for veterinary medicine has kept him active in the veterinary community where he served as president, secretary, and treasurer of the Tidewater Veterinary Academy (Hampton Roads continuing education organization) for over twelve years. As well, he mentors students at Kemps Landing Magnet School, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and gives talks on animal health to various local dog, bird, rabbit and ferret clubs.

Exotic DVM of the Year Award to Dr. Peter G. Fisher

Dr. Herbert Hulls earned his veterinary degree in 1990 from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where he also attended undergraduate school. Although born in Montana, Dr. Hulls considers himself a native Buckeye, having grown up in Ohio where his sister and parents still reside. Childhood was full of country living and lots of animals. Interaction with cattle, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, dogs, cats, raccoons, orphan fawns, and much more was the norm. An innate interest in science, medicine, and animals all drew Dr. Hulls into the veterinarian profession.

Upon graduation from vet school, Dr. Hulls worked in rural western Ohio, making lots of farm calls along with treating companion animals in the clinic where he worked. Ready for a change, Dr. Hulls, along with his wife, Erin, and their two dogs, moved to Virginia Beach in 1991 where he accepted a position at Pet Care Veterinary Hospital. Practicing veterinary medicine at Pet Care felt natural and energizing. The attitude of providing high quality medical and surgical care to patients with sincere compassion is at the heart of Pet Care's motives.

The medicine and surgery of "exotics", which are more popular than ever, have been at the forefront during the past ten years of Dr. Hulls's practice. These formerly unconventional pets, which include birds, ferrets, rabbits, reptiles, and amphibians, are a large source of special interest to Dr. Hulls. A wide variety of orthopedic repairs and soft tissue surgeries have long provided Dr. Hulls with many rewards. However, special interests in exotics and surgery only help round out the basic joys of treating the conventional canine and feline patients from puppy and kitten-hood through to their senior years

Interests outside veterinary medicine include family life with his two daughters, Phoebe and Chloe, his dog, Junebug, and two Uromastyx lizards, Spikes and Spots. Hiking, backpacking, travel, bird watching, reading and exercising are all hobbies of Dr. Hulls.

Dr. Jill Partlow is a Virginia Beach native and a 1992 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. After graduation, she worked at a small animal practice in Harrisonburg, Virginia before joining the professional staff of Pet Care Veterinary Hospital in May of 1993.

Dr. Partlow is the past President and past Secretary of the Tidewater Veterinary Academy, a local Veterinary Association. She is also a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.She is also the Veterinary advisor for the Virginia Beach 4-H Veterinary Science Club. Her special interests include internal medicine, cardiology, feline medicine, and animal behavior.

In her free time, Dr. Partlow enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking, camping, hiking, and birdwatching. Dr. Partlow is surrounded by her own personal menagerie that includes Mattie, her loving Pembroke Welsh Corgi, her furry felines, Katie, Tabitha, Sabrina and Samantha, and a colorful aquarium of various fish.

Click here to see Dr. Partlow's Welsh Corgi, Mattie, herding!

Dr. Colleen C. Fox, a native of Richmond, New Hampshire, graduated from Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998 and has practiced in the Tidewater area since that time. She has been with Pet Care since June 1999. Dr. Fox's professional interests include soft tissue surgery, geriatrics, and internal medicine. She also enjoys outdoor activities, horseback riding, and spending time with her family. Dr. Fox also contributes a great deal of time serving as a volunteer puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes For The Blind.

Dr. Tony Poutous grew up in Pittsburgh, PA; his love of animals began early in life as there were always critters in the house to look after. His childhood was spent caring for a variety of animals from cats and dogs to tadpoles, snakes, and birds. Following high school, Dr. Poutous attended Cornell University where he studied genetics and Developmental Biology. After graduation, he attended Allegheny University of Health Sciences in Philadelphia for a year of post-baccalaureate education. This was followed by two years at Temple University School of Medicine. Even during his time in medical school, he never stopped caring for animals, volunteering regularly at the Schuykill Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

By the end of his second year of medical school, it was clear to Dr. Poutous that he needed to find a career that would allow him to work with animals on a full-time basis. He soon accepted a position as field stranding technician at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ. During his time with the stranding center, Dr. Poutous had the opportunity to work with sick and injured seals, turtles, dolphins, and whales. Following his tenure with the stranding center, he worked for a year at a small animal veterinary clinic and realized that he could best serve the animal community by becoming a veterinarian.

Dr. Poutous graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school. Throughout his four years of vet school, he donated his time to the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association helping to spay and neuter and providing medical care to hundreds of homeless animals. Despite his love for dogs and cats and the joy he takes in their care, Dr. Poutous’s true passion is medicine and surgery of exotics, especially birds. During veterinary school, he served as the president of the Special Species Club and he is an active member of both the Association of Avian Veterinarians and the Mid-Atlantic Association of Avian Veterinarians. Other professional interests include both soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery.

When not at work, Dr. Poutous can usually be found taking care of his own menagerie of animals which includes birds, cats, dogs, fish, tarantulas, and a hedgehog. He also enjoys scuba diving, snowboarding, traveling, or just hanging out on the beach.