Our Dedicated Doctors
Dr Melissa Thompson
DVM
Dr Thompson Native of New Orleans graduated from Louisiana state university school of veterinary medicine in 1991. She moved to Mississippi in 1991 with her husband Dr David Thompson, who is also a graduate of LSU SVM.
Dr Thompson has been a part of our Brandon Animal Hospital family since October 2000. Dr Thompson has 2 children, Elizabeth and Matthew. Dr Thompson has 4 dachshunds, 1 Pekinese, 1 cat and about 1000 fish. She enjoys time with family and traveling on her time away from the clinic. She also attends Pinelake Church in Flowood.
Dr Thompson especially enjoys dermatology!
Dr Scott Houston
DVM
Dr Houston is a native of Mississippi, having graduated from Forrest Hill High School. He then attended Mississippi State University and did 2 years in the pre-vet program then was accepted to vet school in 1980.
Dr Houston graduated Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. For the first 9 years of his Veterinary carrier, he worked as a relief doctor in the Tri- County area, and one year for the USDA.
In 1987 Dr Houston moved to Brandon with his wife Rebecca. They later had 3 children, Courtney, JD, and Will. In 1992 Dr Houston opened Brandon Animal Hospital to serve the Brandon community and surrounding areas for all their pet needs. Dr Houston mainly works with small animals and is dedicated to keeping his patients happy and healthy.
Dr Houston’s main goal is to try and make sure every pet he sees is comfortable and happy to see him. Dr Houston has 3 horses, 4 dogs, and one cat.
On his time away from the clinic doc loves to read, spend time with his family, ride horses, and enjoys being outdoors.
Dr. Patricia Mann
DVM
New Dr. Dr. Mann was born in Starkville, MS and grew up in Sylvarena, MS. She is a 2009 graduate from Sylva Bay Academy. She attended Jones County Junior College for 2 years then transferred to Mississippi State University to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Dairy Science in 2013. Dr. Mann began at Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and attained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2018. During vet school, Dr. Mann was active in the Feline Club and Shelter Medicine Club. She also volunteered and fostered frequently with the Homeward Bound Project of Mississippi. Upon graduation, Dr. Mann accepted an associate position here at Brandon Animal Hospital.
Our Supportive Staff
Tiffany Townsend
Tiffany lived in Brandon all of her life until she moved to Pelahatchie in 2014. Tiffany, her husband Cody, and children Landry and son Cohen are residents of Rankin County. Tiffany has been in the vet field since 2014. Tiffany joined the Brandon Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Technician in August of 2016. She quickly learned every position in practice from kennels to reception. In February of 2023, she was promoted to Practice Manager. She is committed to serving the Brandon community through the clients and their fur babies.
Christy Stricklin
Indiana Native Christy moved to Mississippi in 1997. Christy joined the Brandon Animal Hospital family in September of 2007 as a kennel manager. Christy and her husband Steve have 4 children. Dr Houston saw Christy’s potential as a Vet Tech and started training in on the job. From performing dental exams and cleanings to assisting with surgeries, Christy enjoys providing excellent animal care and serving the Brandon community and their fur babies. Christy is working hard in the Penn Foster program to become a CVT!
Dylan Smith
Dylan has been working with us since January 2021. Dylan is dedicated to serving the Brandon Community and their fur babies. While Dylan is great with the pups he’s well known for making friends with all of our feline patients, and keeping a positive attitude.
Haydon Dillon
Hayden has lived in Pelahatchie MS his whole life. Hayden has been with the Brandon Animal Hospital Family since January of 2022. Hayden enjoys working with the clients and animals and is determined to make every fur baby feel comfortable in their stay with us at Brandon Animal Hospital.
Jessica Boykin
Jessica is a Brandon native. Jessica, her husband Brad, and 2 children Braxton and Dakota are residents of Rankin County. Jessica has been with Brandon Animal Hospital since December of 2021. Her positive attitude and jokester personality keeps everyone at Brandon Animal Hospital feel like they are at home. Jessica is a huge cat lover. Jessica has 4 cats and 2 dogs at home. She loves spending time with her family in her free time.
Josie Conway
Josie moved to Mississippi in 2017. She started her journey at Brandon Animal Hospital in May of 2023. This being the first time in the vet field Josie has enjoyed getting to know the industry. She hopes to one day be able to grow in the industry.
Sherri Henley
Sherri joined our team in January 2025, bringing with her over 27 years of hands-on experience in the veterinary field. She began her career as a kennel technician and, through dedication and on-the-job training from experienced veterinarians, quickly advanced to the role of veterinary technician. Sherri is highly skilled in many areas, including client education, catheter placement, blood draws, lab testing, radiology, surgical assistance, and anesthesia management. What initially drew Sherri to veterinary medicine was a deep-rooted passion for animal health and welfare. That passion continues to fuel her work each day, especially in her commitment to helping pets—many of whom are considered family by their owners—live healthy, happy lives. For Sherri, the most rewarding part of her job is knowing she plays a role in the well-being of animals that bring so much joy to people’s lives. Outside the clinic, Sherri enjoys hiking, fishing, painting, and drawing. She also cherishes time spent relaxing with her three beloved pugs: Cold Ethyl, Bentley Eugene, and Poppy Pickles—her “fur children” who never fail to brighten her days. A fun fact about Sherri: she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor’s in Art in History. She’s also a fan of all things spooky, adding a little seasonal spirit to the clinic whenever she can.
Mazzi Miller
Mazzi became a valued member of our team in December 2024, bringing with her a passion for animal care and a strong background in veterinary support. Her journey into the veterinary field began in 2021 when she started as a kennel technician. From there, she advanced to veterinary assistant and eventually found her niche at the front desk, where she now excels as our receptionist. With experience on both the medical and client service sides of a veterinary practice, Mazzi brings a unique perspective to her role. She is especially passionate about advocating for animals and enjoys educating pet owners, helping them better understand their pets’ needs and care. Outside of work, Mazzi enjoys reading and spending time outdoors with her dogs. She shares her home with three beloved pets, two of whom are rescues with touching backstories. Snoop, found during a February 2021 ice storm, had ice burns but still greeted the world with a wagging tail and bright eyes. Lucy, an owner surrender, came from a history of abusive homes but blossomed into a goofy, lovable companion after adoption. And then there’s Doobie—affectionately known as the “cat-dog” for her love of windowsills and feline-like stretching. Fun fact: Mazzi loves all things Halloween and can play the ukulele, adding just the right mix of spooky charm and musical flair to the clinic when the season rolls around!
Allan Zebert
Allan joined the team in August 2024 and quickly became a key part of the day-to-day care for our patients. His natural connection with animals and dedication to their well-being make him a valuable asset in his role as Kennel Technician. From an early age, Allan knew he wanted to work with animals, and his position allows him to do just that—ensuring each pet in our care feels safe, comfortable, and loved. Whether it’s feeding, walking, or simply spending time with them, Allan finds joy in every interaction and takes pride in contributing to their happiness and health. When he’s not at work, Allan enjoys playing basketball, hitting the gym, and hanging out with friends. At home, he’s a proud pet parent to three dogs—Jewel, Zeus, and Nala—who keep life fun and full of energy.
Alayna Sims
Alayna joined our hospital team in August 2024 and has quickly become a bright and dependable presence, balancing her dual role in both reception and kennel care. Her love for animals began early—sparked by watching The Incredible Dr. Pol as a child—and she knew from as far back as 2012 that the veterinary field was where she wanted to be. Alayna thrives in her kennel duties, ensuring that every dog and cat feels safe, comfortable, and cared for during their stay. On the reception side, she enjoys learning more about veterinary medicine, including why and when pets receive specific treatments, and she especially values building connections with clients through great communication and customer service. Outside of work, Alayna enjoys riding horses, playing golf, and fishing. She’s also a proud pet parent to four amazing animals: Sprinkles, her longtime companion; Darcy, a doodle adopted from a family in need; Marley, a smart pup rescued as a stray; and Beau, a dachshund who races every year at the Starkville Derby. A fun fact about Alayna: after dreaming of this career since 2012, she’s finally made it happen—and she’s just getting started.