If you’ve owned a pet within the last 20 years and live around Nokesville, you probably know Dr. Mark Swanson. He’s owned and operated the Nokesville Veterinary Clinic since 1981.

He grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee and graduated from the University of Tennessee after receiving his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science and going through Veterinary School. He practiced in Memphis for one year and then moved to Nokesville. So why did Mark Swanson become a veterinarian and why did he settle here?

Dr. Swanson was raised on a dairy farm in hilly Tennessee. As he grew, he worked with the vets when they came to care for the cattle. In addition, his father was an Animal Science professor. Mark moved to the area upon an invitation to practice with a vet in Warrenton and found he liked the relatively flat terrain. He opened his own clinic in Nokesville in October 1981 and gradually shifted his focus to primarily dogs and cats in the office and goats and some sheep off-site.

Services offered by Dr. Swanson include: preventive maintenance, health exams and certificates, medical diagnostics, spays and neuters, general surgery, boarding, limited grooming, and brochures. One can even buy Chicken Soup for the Cat and Dog Lover’s Soul at his office.

Dr. Swanson keeps current through a variety of methods. He attends monthly seminars offered by the District of Columbia Veterinary Academy, of which he’s a member. He’s also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Prince William County Veterinary Medical Association. He also attends programs and seminars offered by these and other associations. In addition, he subscribes to the veterinary journals.

Dr. Swanson’s advice on responsible pet ownership is summarized as follows: Never get a pet unless you’re willing to provide for it. You need to be prepared for the expense of food and preventive medicine and you need to be around for companionship. The pets can’t do it for themselves.

With summer, there are special pet care concerns because dogs and cats tend to be outside more. Therefore, they require shade, fresh water always available, flea and tick control, heartworm prevention, up-to-date vaccinations, and means to keep off the road. In addition, Dr. Swanson recommends shaving long-haired dogs and cats; in particular, older such cats can’t handle heat as well as before.

(July 2002)