Dr. Will Patterson

Veterinarian/ Practice Owner

Dr. Will Patterson was born and raised in Blue Ridge, GA and is beyond excited to become the new owner and veterinarian at Cohutta Animal Clinic. He is proud to be a “double-dawg,” earning both his Bachelors Degree in Biology at the University of Georgia and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, GA. Dr. Patterson finished his Bachelor’s degree in just three years before starting veterinary school. Following graduation Dr. Patterson knew that the Georgia mountains was where he wanted to be so he packed up and moved back home to Blue Ridge.

While in school, Dr. Patterson had a diverse and comprehensive education where he was able to learn and practice both large and small animal medicine. It was during this training that he developed an affinity for small animal practice as it allowed him to be more interactive with clients and their furry family members. Dr. Patterson’s special interests within the veterinary field include soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and preventative medicine. He practiced in several small animal practices in North Georgia during high school, college, and after veterinary school and can’t wait to continue to serve pets and their families at Cohutta Animal Clinic.

Dr. Patterson’s hobbies and interests outside of veterinary medicine include bee-keeping, raising Hereford cattle, gardening, and most notably Georgia football. Any Saturdays in the fall that you don’t see Dr. Patterson at the clinic, he can most likely be found watching his Dawgs play! Dr. Patterson lives in Blue Ridge with his wife Dr. Grace Murray Patterson, who you’ll also see around the clinic from time to time). They have 3 dogs and 1 cat.

Dr. Jim McClearen

Associate Veterinarian

Jim and Laurie McClearen live on their farm in Morganton, GA They have a menagerie of animals that include several dogs, horses and a commercial herd of cattle. Jim and Laurie have two grown children and three grandchildren of which one states she wishes to also become a veterinarian.. Dr. McClearen has had an exceptional career in veterinary medicine having graduated from the University of Georgia with his DVM in 1974 after obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1971. He was founder and owner of Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital in Acworth GA until he sold it in January of 2007. Dr. McClearen also cofounded and served as project manager for the Cobb and Cherokee Emergency Veterinary Clinics along with a state of the art facility for Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital. He has been involved with state and local veterinary associations and past president of the Georgia Veterinary Medical association. Dr. McClearen was recognized in 2006 as a Distinguished Alumni for the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and the 2013 Georgia Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinarian of the Year. He has volunteered an done outreach work with Habitat and the Zuni Indian reservation providing veterinary care for the last 12 years.The last thirteen years he has worked at Tri-County/Murphy Animal Clinic and part time at Project Chimps which is a sanctuary for chimpanzees. Collectively he has worked with numerous students pursuing their careers in veterinary medicine veterinarians and staff a like. His stated goals are always expanding and will never end as long as he can continue to learn and help. Being a veterinarian is a way of life and we must share that with those who wish to pursue this career.