Our Team

Dr. Josh Woods

Throughout my life, my pets have always been a part of my family. I am fortunate to have spent the last 15 years doing a job that I love. I am a lifelong Georgia resident and a Double Dawg earning my undergraduate in Animal Health as well as my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia.

I have experience in emergency, critical care, and of course in our general practice that has been operating since 2011. I have an interest in dentistry and internal medicine, but I am passionate about the patient and client experience in our hospital. I enjoy working with the clients, patients, and staff so that each pet receives specialized care for their physical and emotional needs during their visit. I promote bribery with treats as often as possible each day.

When I am not at work, I am spending time with my wife, Allison, and my two children, Kate and Harrison. If I am not with them, I am in my garage feeding my woodworking addiction while I complete a home improvement project. If I come out the garage, I may be playing tennis. Our family pets are our two dogs Zoey and Tallulah, and Lucy our cat.

Dr. Sierra Morelli

Dr. Sierra Morelli is from Woodstock, GA and received her undergraduate degree from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Science. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 2014 with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, she joined the Vickery team in 2020. Her special veterinary interests are internal medicine, feline medicine and nutrition. Her family includes her husband, Neil and two children Liam and Quinn, and of course two kitties Pepper Paws and Luna. When she has free time she enjoys reading, serving at church, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Jessica Dabbs

Dr. Dabbs has been practicing Veterinary Medicine since 2014. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. She is also a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, which she achieved through Chi University. She enjoys being able to care for dogs and cats from their puppy/kitten visits through their “golden years.” Dr. Dabbs believes that health is a product of a pet’s whole body and environment and has special interest in nutrition, behavior, and chronic pain relief. She works together with pet owners to find the best combination of traditional Western and Chinese medicine for each pet’s health. She is a Fear-Free Certified Veterinarian and understands the importance of minimizing the stress of veterinary visits. In her free time, Dr. Dabbs enjoys spending time with her husband and children, going to church, and being outdoors.

To provide advanced care for our patients, we have partnered with a mobile veterinary team. This partnership allows mobile specialists to visit our hospital and provide individual care to our patients.

Dr. Derek Duval

Internal Medicine

Dr. Duval completed his undergraduate and veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. Derek and his wife, Julie Duval VMD DACVS, moved to Georgia where Derek did his internship at University of Georgia while Julie completed her residency in surgery. After his internship, Derek stayed on faculty at UGA and ran the Outpatient Medicine service for two years.

The Duvals then returned to Philadelphia where Dr. Derek Duval completed his small animal internal medicine residency at Penn. During his residency Derek was responsible for setting up and starting the outpatient endoscopy service at Penn and completed research and publications on immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). Dr. Duval completed his board certification in small animal internal medicine in 1997 and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (DACVIM). He has served the ACVIM in a variety or roles including credentialing, test preparation and rating and other volunteer services. Since leaving academia, the Duvals have been practicing high quality specialty medicine and surgery in the Southeast, including most of the last 20 years practicing in Atlanta.

Dr. Duval is an accomplished endoscopist (both rigid and flexible endoscopy), ultrasonographer and diagnostician and enjoys all aspects of internal medicine and endoscopy. Dr. Duval has a special interest in interventional endoscopy and radiology, and has helped pioneer procedures such as tracheal and urethral stenting and balloon dilation treatment for esophageal strictures. Dr. Duval has lectured extensively locally and nationally on a variety of topics in internal medicine. The Duvals live in Atlanta with their dogs Bella (Shippereke) and Maisie (Sheltie) and a variety of frogs, lizards and turtles.

They have two children who grew up in Atlanta and now are at UGA graduate school and GaTech engineering. When not practicing internal medicine, Derek is an avid homebrewer and martial artist and enjoys sharing music and outdoor activities with Julie and their kids.

Dr. Julie Duval

Soft Tissue Surgeon

After growing up in Kentucky and Texas, Dr. Duval received a bachelor of science degree from Duke University, then graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and stayed on for a year to complete a rotating internship. She was happy to be able to come back to the south for her surgery residency at the University of Georgia and then accepted a position as a clinical surgery instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, where Dr. Duval was involved with the training of students, interns and residents.

After trying out two private referral practice jobs in Columbia, SC and St. Louis, MO, she and her husband moved to Atlanta in 2000 where they were two of the original specialists at one of the largest veterinary specialty practices in the southeast. Over 18 years of practice in Atlanta, Dr. Duval was able to gradually adjust her caseload to focus on soft tissue surgery. She also was very active in organizing and participating in the continuing education program at that practice. While enjoying all aspects of soft tissue and oncologic surgery, Dr. Duval has special interest in perineal urethrostomy, portosystemic shunts and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Julie Duval has been married to internist Derek Duval since 1990, and they have two children who are studying at colleges in Georgia. She loves reading, watching college football and basketball (especially the Duke Blue Devils), hiking, travel and photography. She and her husband have two dogs, sheltie Maisie and schipperke Bellatrix, as well as some pets with no fur.

Krista

Practice Manager

I joined the Vickery team in 2022 and brought 20 years of veterinary experience with me. I have a bachelor of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University. The best part of my job is supporting the staff both personally and professionally so they can have the most fulfilling career possible. Vickery is continually improving the quality of medicine offered to our patients all while treating each and every client with respect and I love that! So happy to be a part of the team.

Outside of work you’ll see my husband and I chasing two wild and happy boys. We have fur kids to chase around too. You can find our family at church, countless sporting events, or lost on some new hiking trail. Also, who doesn’t like a good book?

Allison, RVT

Veterinary Technician Manager

I joined our hospital team in 2015 after my family relocated to Cumming in 2013. I have been a licensed technician for fourteen years after completing my B.S. in Biology at Georgia Southern University and my A.A.S in Veterinary Technology at Gwinnett Tech. My career has been one of constant learning and growth. In order to keep my skills current and incorporate low stress patient handling into our hospital, I became a Fear Free Certified Professional in 2019. I love working with our team and appreciate our goal to be exceptional each day.

When I am not at work, my husband and I are cheering loudly for our son on the baseball field or clapping quietly for our daughter playing in the band.

Stephanie

Veterinary Technician

I joined the Vickery team in 2019 after working in the veterinary profession for three years. I have enjoyed learning about and working with a variety of dog and cat breeds during my career. I enjoy learning something new each day and find the challenges to be rewarding. When I am not working, I am hanging out with my two dogs, Abby and Marley.

Bryenna

Veterinary Technician

I started working in the veterinary field in 2017 and have had a
love for animals my whole life. I joined Vickery Animal Hospital in 2023. I’m passionate about caring for your fur babies and guiding them on their journey towards optimal health. I take pride in providing client education to owners so that they can make the best decision for their pets based on their specific needs.

I have a huge heart for rescue animals (especially pitbulls!). When I’m not
at work I enjoy traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with my dog Addison.

Heather

Front Office Manager

I have been a part of the Cumming community for most of my life. I joined our team in 2011 when the hospital was established and brought seven years veterinary experience with me. I am a graduate of the Business Management Certification program at Lanier Technical College and studied at Piedmont College.

I am passionate about working with clients and their beloved family pets. My husband and I are the proud parents of an active little boy and have a dog named Cali. When I am not working, I enjoy reading or making memories with my sweet family.

Jenn

Customer Service Representative

I am thrilled to have joined the Vickery Animal Hospital team in 2023. It’s such a pleasure to meet and greet our clients and their fur babies every day! Having a pack of four legged kids of our own, I appreciate the importance of having a knowledgeable and trustworthy veterinary staff to rely on.

Andie

Groomer

Hi my name is Andie, I have been grooming dogs since 2021 and have a lifelong passion for animals! I was initially intrigued by working with dogs at a young age, and it led me to where I am today! I have 5 cats and 2 dogs that I love very much, and I’m committed to giving you and your pet the best experience.