Richard Buchanan DVM

Dr. Buchanan grew up in nearby Lenoir City and graduated from Tennessee Tech University. In 1980 he received his veterinary degree from the University of Tennessee. Before relocating to Sweetwater, he practiced in Scottsville, Kentucky, and Greenville, Tennessee.

Honored with the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association "Outstanding Practitioner Award" in 2004, Dr. Buchanan is a past member of the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Examiners and a member of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Association.

A member of Session First Presbyterian Church, Dr. Buchanan also serves on the boards of the Sweetwater Library and Wood Presbyterian Home. He and his wife Regina [Bivens] love vacations in the Caribbean for scuba diving. The doctor also enjoys hiking, golfing and playing guitar, as well as family time with his children Andy and Becky, grandchildren Maddisen and Ansley, and his dogs and cat.

Boyd Curtis DVM

A Madisonville native, Dr. Curtis received undergraduate degrees from Hiwassee College and University of Tennessee. He was in the first graduating class from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, receiving his DVM in 1979. He joined Monroe County Animal Hospital upon graduation.

Dr. Curtis is a member of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Assocation and American Veterinary Association, the TN Department of Agriculture/TEMA 1st Responder to Agricultural Disasters, Chairman 911 Board, and Calvary Chapel of Sweetwater. He and his wife Sabrina keep busy with their four children, Maike, Simon, Jerome, and Eamon.

Golf, woodwork, hiking, and watching football are Dr. Curtis' favorite leisure activities, although he cannot reveal his favorite NFL football team until April.

Phyllis Harrell DVM

Dr. Harrell is a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and earned her veterinary degree at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. Her veterinary experience was honed in Hot Springs and in Kingsport TN before joining Monroe County Animal Hospital.

A member of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Assocation and American Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Harrell also serves the TN Department of Agriculture/TEMA 1st Responder to Agricultural Disasters, and the Monroe County Board of Health.

The doctor and husband Charles have two daughters, Hannah and Haley, and one son, Matthew, and are members of 1st United Methodist Church of Madisonville. Dr. Harrell's favorite hobbies include dance, reading, camping, and watching the Atlanta Braves.

Erica Murphy DVM

Dr. Murphy's connections to Monroe County Animal Hospital began while growing up in Madisonville; her interest in becoming a vet lead to a summertime volunteer program at the Monroe County animal clinic, working under Dr. David Kefauver and Dr. Curtis, now her partner. She first met Dr. Buchanan on his late night call to the Heiskell family's Laurel Brooke Farm for a c-section on one of their cows. Convinced by her positive experiences and the menagerie of critters she grew up with, Dr. Murphy completed her undergraduate degree in Agriculture at the University of Tennessee campuses in Martin and Knoxville. She graduated from the UT College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004, and is a member of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Assocation and American Veterinary Association.

Dr. Murphy was wed in 2006 to Scott Murphy, who scores music for television and radio, "when he is not busy being the best husband in the world," Dr. Murphy notes. Like most in her profession, her pets were rescued, and include two cats, Spivvy and Little Cat, and two bloodhounds, George and Gypsy.

The doctor's professional travel lead her to Zanzibar, Tanzania, on an exciting mission trip where she and her team spayed and neutered feral cats in Stone Town and went out in the "shambas" (countryside) to deworm and vaccinate cattle for foot and mouth disease. Back at home in Madisonville, her favorite pastime is cooking, inspired by the Food Network and Rachel Ray. She also loves the ocean and snorkeling.