Our Veterinary Team

Meet our team

Hanover Animal Hospital multi-talented staff is kept on its toes by the doctors, animals, and clients alike. If you call or visit, chances are you will first meet our receptionists, Carrie or Becky, who will schedule your pet’s exam, surgery, or boarding stay, as well as answer any preliminary questions you may have about our routine procedures.

Inquiries about joining our staff are welcome. Please drop off your resume during office hours.

Appointment
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Meet Our Doctors

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DVM
Dr. Daryl Tyson

Dr. Tyson is a 1989 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia. After three years in a predominately dairy practice in upstate Pennsylvania, he married and moved to Prince George County in 1993. He and his wife Valerie, also a 1989 graduate of the VMRCVM, have two children, Justin and Claire, and a collection of dogs and cats.

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DVM
Dr. Christie Bartels

Dr. Bartels is a 2000 graduate of VA–MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She has been a member of our team since her graduation, initially as a full-time veterinarian and then transitioned to a part-time position in order to spend more time with her family. When not working, she spends most of her time enjoying the outdoors with her husband Rick, their three daughters, Autumn, Jewel, and Brooke, and their dogs, Sparrow and Falcon. She also has a cat
who ventures with them named Chicken Nugget. She has a special interest in osteoarthritis and rehabilitative medicine.

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DVM
Dr. Matthew McKercher

Dr. McKercher spent his childhood years in Staunton, VA and his high school years in Newport News, VA. He met his wife Liz at Virginia Tech and both received a BS in Wildlife Science in 1993. Between 1993 and 2000, Dr. McKercher worked as a veterinary assistant at numerous zoos, wildlife facilities, and small animal clinics. He was also the director of Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, Florida. During this time, he compiled thousands of hours working with wildlife. This includes raptors, primates, reptiles, and many large Asian and African animals, including rhinoceros, giraffes, lions and Elephants. He has handled a very diverse number of wild animals, and his favorites are Bald Eagles, Great Horned Owls, and American Alligators. Dr. McKercher graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003, having completed his final clinical year at the University of Florida. He spent 6 years practicing as an equine veterinarian before transitioning to small animal medicine and surgery. He truly enjoys all types of surgeries, especially orthopedics, and has many years of surgical and dental experience with small, large, and wild animals. He lives in Mechanicsville and enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 daughters. His extended family includes 3 dogs named Huckleberry, Otter, and Balto and 2 cats Gorilla and Marmalade. In his spare time, Dr. McKercher enjoys off roading adventures, drumming, and carpentry. He also loves football and soccer.

Meet Our Team

From performing dental cleanings to restraining animals in exam rooms and treatment, our veterinary assistants guide pets from the reception area and through exams, baths, x-rays, and surgeries. They also keep up with the laundry, clean continuously, and fill prescriptions, as well as answer the phone and help our receptionists when things get busy up front.

Twice a day, our kennel staff comes in to look after the boarding animals. Between 7:30 and 8:30 am, and again between 4:30 and 5:30 pm, the kennel staff walks the dogs, cleans cages and runs, refills food and water bowls, and sweeps and mops the back area.

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Office Manager
Rachel
Meet Rachel! She is our Office Manager here at Hanover Animal Hospital. She has been with the
practice for 8 years now, and started off as a veterinary assistant. Rachel has two amazing pets at home that she loves deeply, Chloe a pit bull, and Pickles, a Norwegian forest cat. Rachel makes sure everything from the front to the back runs smoothly here at the hospital. During her free time from work, she enjoys hiking and camping.
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Veterinary Assistant

Leah

My name is Leah Hamilton! I have been working in vet medicine for a little over a year now! I am in the process of completing Veterinary Technician School at Penn Foster University. In my free time I enjoy going to the beach and hanging out with my friends! I grew up in New Kent, VA and currently still live there. I am so happy to be a part of the Hanover Animal Hospital team and I can’t wait to help care for your animals! 

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Veterinary Assistant

Mikayla
My name is Mikayla Phelps! I graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences. While at Virginia Tech I was given the opportunity to work with all kinds of animals- dogs, cats, pigs, cows, horses, sheep, and chickens! While exploring all my options, I’m happy to say I found my passion in companion animals. I have wanted to work in veterinary medicine since I was 5, and I’m so excited to continue my dream at Hanover Animal Hospital! I can’t wait to meet your fur babies and help ensure they get the best care!
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Client Service Representative

Carrie

She is one of our Client Service Representatives at Hanover Animal Hospital. She originally is from the Southside of Richmond and now lives in Hanover with her son, Alex, and three rescue cats: Mel, Elle, and Rain. Carrie has many years of experience in animal rescue and animal transport. Animals have always been her passion, and she loves her position at our hospital, getting to see clients and their pets. Carrie loves to fish, travel, and go on weekend adventures in her free time.

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Customer Service Representative

Becky
She is one of our customer service representatives here at Hanover Animal Hospital. She comes to us with lots of experience as a medical receptionist and scheduler. Several years ago, she decided she’d instead work around animals. Becky grew up in the West End of Richmond and relocated to the Mechanicsville area in the early 90s. Her favorite part of the job is greeting clients and getting to know them and their pets. At home, she has her own pup, Arya, an Australian Shepherd. You can catch her spoiling and play with Arya in her free time.
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Treatment Coordinator

Leah
Leah is our lead Veterinary Assistant & Treatment Coordinator. She comes from a long line of avid animal lovers. Her mother was a wildlife animal rehabilitator when she was a little girl. Leah was also a competitive equestrian who dreamed of competing in the Olympics. She started in veterinary medicine at the end of 2019 and is currently finishing her veterinary technician program through Penn Foster. She has two dogs, Moonshine & Isabel, and a cat named River, whom she rescued at five weeks old and has now become our hospital mascot! Leah thrives to be the best advocate for your pet’s health and safety as she sets out to make this her life’s calling!
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Kennel Attendant

Teagan
She has grown up right here in Mechanicsville, Virginia. She loves this job because she loves spending time with different animals. She has a dog, a cat, two bunnies, and two parakeets at home. Teagan hopes to work with animals in the future as well.