Rooted in the Roanoke Valley since 2004, Big Lick Veterinary Services combines cutting-edge veterinary medicine with a warm, small-town feel. Whether your pet needs a wellness check, surgery, or just a little TLC, you’ll find expert care and heartfelt service here, delivered by a team who truly loves what they do.
We believe prevention is powerful. Our wellness visits include thorough physical exams, personalized vaccine plans, and early diagnostics to help your pet stay happy and healthy year after year.
From routine cleanings and extractions to soft tissue and orthopedic procedures, our experienced doctors and visiting mobile surgeon provide skillful, compassionate surgical care.
For pets recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or needing complementary therapies, we offer acupuncture, laser therapy, and canine rehabilitation to support whole-body healing.
Full-time veterinarian at Big Lick Vet, Jonathan Amos is a native of the Roanoke Valley, graduating from Cave Spring High School and Virginia Tech. He earned his veterinary degree from the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. In 2007, he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner.
Jonathan is currently the only one in Roanoke County with this degree. Furthermore, he served as President to the Roanoke Valley Veterinary Association during the term years 2007 -2009. His veterinary passions include canine rehabilitation, surgery, and diagnostic ultrasound. He is glad to be back in the Roanoke Valley and practicing veterinary medicine.
He lives in the Cave Spring area with his wife Amanda and their two kids, and several pets including a Boxer named Cindy, a cat named Sandstorm, many fish, and two cows named Hazel and Teddy on Big Lick Farm.
His personal interests include playing volleyball, working out, and spending time with his family.
Natalie McLaughlin is the product of a military family and has enjoyed living in many places. She finished high school in Virginia Beach and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1995. She earned her veterinary degree from VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000.
She served as the head veterinarian for the Roanoke Wildlife Rescue for 9 years. Currently, she works full-time as a veterinarian with a special interest in veterinary behavior.
She lives in the Cave Spring area with her husband Doug, three children (who are now all off to college), three dogs, six cats, and two horses.
Her outside interests include riding her horses, CrossFit, hanging out with her dogs and all things related to her kids.
Laura Nelson is a native of Charlottesville and holds a BS from Virginia Tech in Biology. She is a 1985 graduate of the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
She has practiced in the Roanoke area for more than 30 years. Dr. Nelson has continued her education in the areas of surgery, ultrasound, and echocardiography.
Dr. Nelson joined the Big Lick Vet staff in the fall of 2006 as a part-time veterinarian. She also works part-time in the New River Valley. She has a special interest in ultrasound diagnostics, cats, surgery, and small mammals such as rabbits and other pocket pets.
She lives in the NRV and has six horses, four cats, and two dogs. In her free time, she competes in the equestrian discipline of dressage.
Erin Sheppard joined Big Lick Vet in the summer of 2017 and has been practicing veterinary medicine in the Roanoke Valley area for over five years. She earned her Bachelor degree in Biology from the University of Central Arkansas, where she graduated Cum Laude.
From there she attended Michigan State University, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She then went on to practice small animal medicine in North Carolina and South Carolina before finally settling with her family in Roanoke, Virginia.
Her areas of special interest include diagnostic ultrasound as well as dermatology, although she enjoys most aspects of medicine.
Erin is married to local pediatric dentist Dr. Corey Sheppard. The couple has 3 children and two dogs. In her spare time, Erin enjoys spending time at the lake, hiking, camping, running, gardening, and anything that allows her to relax with her family.
Dr. Sadye Soffin joined the Big Lick Vet team in 2024. She completed one of her vet school externships with Big Lick before graduating and we’re so excited to have her on our team! Dr. Soffin is originally from Richmond, VA.
She received her bachelor’s degree in 2019 from Virginia Tech, as well as her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2024. She is excited to be staying in Southwest Virginia to practice.
Her favorite aspect of veterinary medicine is supporting the connection between clients and their animals through medical and behavioral education. Dr. Soffin strives to work with the individual needs of patients to lower their stress levels at the clinic.
She lives in the Cave Spring area with her partner, Erik, and their dog Riley. Outside of work she enjoys reading, crocheting, traveling, and hiking.
Kim joined the Big Lick Vet team in 2012. Kim spent her first two years of college at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC before returning to the Roanoke area and obtaining an Associate of Science degree from Virginia Western Community College. She then received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a Concentration in Information Analysis from Roanoke College.
Before becoming Practice Manager, Kim gained experience in veterinary medicine by working as a kennel attendant, a receptionist, and a veterinary assistant. She is passionate about the client and patient experience and finding a career that combines her love for people and pets has been very rewarding.
She is incredibly proud of the tightknit team at Big Lick and ensuring they are taken care of is her top priority.
Kim lives in the Cave Spring area with her partner of 17 years Kevin and their two senior cats, Pippy and Lulu. Her perfect day outside of work would consist of cuddling up on the couch with a cozy blanket and her cats and watching a movie or reading a book – extra points if it’s snowing outside!
Please bring any previous records, a list of medications, and your pet’s favorite treats or toy—we love helping them feel right at home.
We offer urgent appointments during regular business hours. Call us as early in the day as possible so we can do our best to fit you in.
We offer full-service grooming as well as basic bath and brush services. We do not currently offer boarding.
Happy Visits are gentle, no-pressure appointments designed to help pets, especially puppies and nervous patients, build confidence and feel more comfortable at the vet. These visits involve cuddles, treats, and positive reinforcement, with no pokes or procedures, so your pet learns to associate us with safety and fun.
