Dr. Rebecca Teal,

I was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on December 20, 1960.  My father was in the Air Force and our family moved about every two years.  My mother took advantage of being stationed overseas and we traveled extensively.  Consequently, I credit my father and mother with my love of travel, history, and reading.  One of the earliest entries in my baby book was “loves to read and loves horses”.  Since the age of five, whenever I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was jockey first, veterinarian second.  I obviously grew too big to be a successful jockey!

Although we could never own a horse because of moving so often, my parents always made sure I could ride.  They promised that when my Dad retired, I could have a horse of my own.  At the age of 11, I got my first horse, a Tennessee Walking horse.  My parents paid his board of fifteen dollars a month and bought feed.  I worked part time to pay for extras such as showing.  I was the proverbial “horse crazy” girl!

I graduated from Middle Georgia College with an Associate in Science degree in 1983 and the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985.  I entered the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine in August of 1985 and graduated in May of 1989.  Upon graduation I went to work with Dr. Bill Avra of Forsyth County Animal Clinic in Cumming, Georgia. I credit him with giving me the opportunity and confidence to practice as a mixed animal practitioner.  Dr. Avra had opened Tri-County Animal Hospital in 1989 as a satellite of his clinic.  Under his tutelage, I worked at Tri-County Animal Hospital and was able to purchase it in January of 1995.

My husband, Wesley Teal, is a retired Farrier.  He supported us through school which allowed me to indulge my love of riding and showing Tennessee Walking horses.  Our children are all four legged.  We have several horses, one pot bellied pig, two cats, and two dogs.  Our hobbies include horseback riding, blacksmithing, travel, reading, rollerblading, playing cards, watching movies, and art.

I love my job.  Not only do I love working with the animals but also the people I have met through them.  Some of my best friends were clients first.  Forsyth County and the surrounding counties offer so much diversity that it is both a pleasure and a blessing to practice medicine in the area I now call home.