Dr. Joni Shimp - Practice Owner

Dr. Joni Shimp has been in practice in Southeastern NC for over two decades. She grew up in Minnesota, showing Arabian horses with her family.  She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and attended North Carolina State University. She graduated from NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 and moved to Pender County to work as an Associate Veterinarian at Scotts Hill Animal Hospital. 

​In 2012, Dr. Joni founded Cape Fear Raptor Center to service the Southeastern region of NC's raptor population. Cape Fear Raptor Center has become a nationally recognized Rehabilitation Center, with notoriety in Bald Eagle rehabilitation and training.  Raptors from the entire coast extending to the borders of  VA and SC and westward to Fayetteville are brought to CFRC for advanced medical and surgical care.   She works closely with local and regional rehabilitators to provide  care for raptors, waterfowl, songbird,  opossums, and other wildlife that need veterinary specific care. She also lectures on raptor medicine and surgery,  avian biosecurity, and operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training techniques in Eagles and Osprey at veterinary conferences. ​
When she is not working, Dr. Joni spends time with her husband Scott, son, Justin and daughter, Sophia.  She has competed on a National Level with Arabian Horses, German Shepherd Dogs in the sport of Schutzhund/IPO, and holds a Master Federal Falconry License. Together, Scott and Dr. Joni manage Broken Dog Farm, a competitive horse farm dedicated to sporthorses. Her herd of feathered and  furred family members consist of 9 dogs, many of which have been broken and rescued (hence the farm name "Broken Dog Farm", a Green Winged Macaw, Quaker Parrot, Congo African Grey, Umbrella Cockatoo, Harris' Hawk, a bunch of horses,  the world's most spoiled goat, "Francesca", and a fat and happy Pot-Bellied Pig named "Freddy".

Dr. Andrea Swanson- Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Andrea Swanson started her veterinary career at Rocky Point Animal Hospital and has been an Associate Veterinarian at the practice for 6 years. She grew up in Wisconsin and participated in showing goats all throughout her childhood. She attended the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire with degrees in Biology and Business Management and graduated in 2015. She then attended St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2019. While studying veterinary medicine in Grenada, an island in the Caribbean, she learned not only about animal medicine but was able to immerse herself in the culture of the island.
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As a primary care veterinarian, Dr. Swanson takes pride in helping our furry friends. She has a special interest in surgery, internal medicine, and became certified in Small Animal Veterinary Medical Manipulation and performs chiropractic care for her patients.
When Dr. Swanson isn’t at the hospital, she works on projects around her house, travels, SCUBA dives, and hangs out with her pets. She has 2 dogs, 3 cats, 6 goats, and 4 pot-belly pigs at home.​