I’m Dr. Leslie Sheridan, DVM, a 2002 graduate of the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine with over 30 years of experience in the field.
My story begins on our family’s 200-acre beef farm in East Tennessee, where my dream of becoming a veterinarian took root at age five. By sixteen, I was volunteering at a mixed-animal practice, beginning my lifelong commitment to animal care.
After veterinary school, I established my career at Commonwealth Veterinary Clinic in Fishersville, Virginia, where I spent 13 rewarding years providing comprehensive care for a diverse range of animals – from dogs and cats to horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, llamas and alpacas (and even a couple of camels!)
I have traveled internationally to provide veterinary care and training in Ecuador, Tanzania, and Bangladesh with the organization Christian Veterinary Mission. I have seen the profound impact that one animal can have on the well-being of the humans who care for them. The human-animal bond knows no limit, and I continue to be moved by the blessing that animals are to us.
In 2015, my professional journey took a new turn when I joined Blue Ridge Community College as an associate professor in the Veterinary Technology Program. For seven years, I shared my expertise and passion with the next generation of veterinary professionals. This role introduced me to the world of remote education, as I began teaching via Zoom well before the pandemic made virtual connections the norm.
This early adoption of video conferencing technology allowed me to develop the skills to effectively connect, communicate, and educate through a screen – abilities that would prove invaluable in my personal and professional life. When the pandemic arrived, I was already equipped with the tools to maintain meaningful connections despite physical distance.
While teaching at Blue Ridge, my husband Matt and I grew our family through adoption, welcoming a daughter and son in the Fall of 2016. By 2020, our household had become a hub of remote work and learning, with all four of us connecting to our respective responsibilities via video calls.
In an unexpected blessing, I became pregnant in late 2020, and our 2nd son joined the family in the Summer of 2021. After continuing to teach through the Spring of 2022, I made the decision to step away from academia to focus on my growing family.
My love for veterinary medicine never waned, and I found a way to stay connected to my profession by joining a national veterinary telehealth practice. This experience was revelatory – I witnessed firsthand how telehealth could break down barriers to veterinary care for people across Virginia who faced physical, financial, or emotional obstacles.
However, the constraints of brief 10-minute appointments conflicted with my commitment to thorough, comprehensive care. This realization led me to part-time relief work at a local small animal practice that values quality care over rushed appointments, while simultaneously planting the seed for LightSpring Virtual Veterinary Care.
My unique background combines extensive mixed-animal clinical experience, communicating with large animal and small animal owners, comfort with virtual communication technologies, and a deep understanding of the challenges many face in accessing quality veterinary care. I’ve seen how video conferencing can maintain the human connection that’s essential to the veterinarian-client relationship, while removing many obstacles to services.
LightSpring Virtual Veterinary Care is the culmination of my journey – a practice built to provide the thorough, compassionate service I believe in, delivered in a way that meets clients and their animals where they are. By bridging distances through technology, I can continue my lifelong mission of helping animals while accommodating the needs of my own family.
I love veterinary medicine. I look forward to connecting with you and your animals through this innovative approach. If you want to see me in person, you can find me at the Animal Clinic of Verona every other Friday.
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