Meet Dr. Swann

Rachael Swann grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She fulfilled a lifelong dream to become a veterinarian after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. She moved to Virginia in 1986 and practiced with a colleague for a few years before starting her own practice in 1992. Simplicity Animal Hospital is situated in the countryside in a renovated tobacco-packing barn. An obvious animal lover herself, Dr. Swann’s many dogs, cats and horses are part of her extended family living on her farm.
 
“I knew when I was five I wanted to be a veterinarian,” said Dr. Swann. “I’m lucky it stayed a focus for me because I love working with the animals and think they’re amazing. These little guys have much to teach, are trusting and have a lot of courage. If I can make their lives a little bit easier, better, longer—all of that is fulfilling. The other thing I like about veterinary medicine is I’m always learning something new. No two situations are alike, and there have been many advancements in the field. We have fewer restrictions than human medicine, so we can also employ more techniques.​

Meet the staff

Leah

​Leah is a surgery tech and veterinarian assistant. She is Dr. Swann’s daughter and has worked at SAH since 2009 (note: all of her children became helpers at age three by holding kittens post surgery). Leah has a chihuahua named Jasper (pictured).

Amanda

Amanda is an assistant who has worked for SAH since July 2023. She has a boxer named Hugo and 16 kitties, including Goober (pictured).

Heather

Heather is a veterinarian assistant who has worked at SAH since 2022. She is the proud herder of numerous cats and dogs, including Wolf (pictured).

Anna

​Anna is a veterinarian assistant who has worked at SAH since August 2022. She has five kitties and two dogs, including Casper (pictured).

Rowan

Rowan is a receptionist, and began working for SAH in August 2024. She is pictured with her dog Milo.

Cukoo

Cuckoo came to us as a kitten with a significant head wound. She is all healed and now serves as our beloved clinic kitty! ​​