Dr. Michelle Keeling joined Best Friends Veterinary Hospital full-time in October 2023 after initially working with the team as a relief veterinarian in 2021.
She brings a unique background in public health and research, along with a deep passion for veterinary medicine.
Dr. Keeling earned her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and went on to work in Alzheimer’s research at the University of Washington. She later completed her Master of Public Health at Emory University, focusing on infectious disease epidemiology. Her career then took her to Lusaka, Zambia, where she worked with Emory’s Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group She volunteered for five years in Zambia’s largest mixed-animal hospital. It was during this time that she confirmed her calling in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Keeling returned to the United States where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia and has been practicing in the North Georgia area since 2016. Her clinical interests include general surgery, dentistry, internal medicine, and preventive care. She especially enjoys building strong, lasting relationships with pet owners and their animals. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Keeling enjoys hiking, gardening, dancing, and spending time with her husband and two children. Their home is filled with love—and a bit of chaos—thanks to their four rescue pets: Clemy (German Shepherd), Jack (Chihuahua/Pug mix), Duke (Great Dane), and Steve (a Zambian cat). They also care for seven spirited chickens who keep everyone entertained.
