Meet the Veterinarians

Dr. Ligon is a graduate of the veterinary school at Virginia Tech and has worked as a veterinarian in Blacksburg, Roanoke, and Charlottesville. Klarissa and Todd Ligon purchased Portsmouth Animal Hospital, formerly known as Casey Animal Hospital, in July 2011. Dr. Ligon has special interests in dermatology, dentistry and holistic medicine and is currently finishing the certification process in veterinary acupuncture. In her spare time, Dr. Ligon enjoys spending time with her 2 furry children, Emi a Chinese Shar-Pei and Tucker a Shar-Pei/Husky mix as well as travelling and horseback riding.

Dr. Amy Harrell is from Springfield, VA, in the suburbs of D.C. She got her B.S. in Biology from Virginia Tech, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude in 1989. She then went on and graduated from Va-Md Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. Dr. Harrell truly enjoys preventative care and client care, she loves taking care of people and their pets. She lives in Suffolkwith her husband Andy (whom she met at Virginia Tech), her 2 sons and too many pets! Go Hokies!

Dr. Smith is a 1989 graduate from the veterinary school at Virginia Tech. While a full-time student, he worked as a research assistant, maintaining a collection of approximately 100 aquaria, and later, performing surgery and behavioral testing on rats used in Alzheimer?s disease research. Dr. Smith concentrated his studies primarily on pet animal medicine and surgery, but also pursued elective training in exotic and avian medicine. He was elected to membership in the Phi Zeta Honor Society and graduated with honors.

During his career as a small animal veterinarian, he has worked as an emergency room clinician, studied pet dentistry, and broadened his knowledge of exotic pet practice to include fish, primates and other unusual species Dr. Smith is currently the Treasurer and acting President of the South Hampton Roads Veterinary Medical Association, and is a long-standing member of the American Veterinary and Virginia Veterinary Medical Associations, and the Tidewater Veterinary Academy.

Dr. Smith and his wife Betsy are active members of the local Spring Branch Community Church. He still finds time for outside interests as an amateur musician, artist, and calligrapher. Dr. Smith has an especial fondness for cats and has just rescued a second kitten.

Dr. Lisa Corkern graduated from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation she moved to Hampton Roads with her family. Raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and growing up on her grandfather’s farm, Dr. Corkern always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. She loves taking care of people and their pet, building long lasting relationships. In her free time Dr. Corkern enjoys rooting for her alma mater the LSU Tigers and spending time with her family.