OUR DOCTORS
BONNIE BROWN, DVM
Dr. Bonnie Brown attended Virginia Tech for her undergraduate education and graduated from the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. She started her career in emergency medicine at the Peninsula Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Yorktown. Although she loved the pace and challenges of emergency medicine, she left in 1992 to join Dr. Richard Chance at James River Veterinary Hospital. In 2003, Dr. Chance and Dr. Brown built and opened Jolly Pond Veterinary Hospital. She became the owner in 2009.
Dr. Brown raised and showed French Lop rabbits for almost 40 years. Aside from her special interest in rabbit medicine and surgery, she also enjoys soft tissue surgery, behavioral medicine, and dermatology. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, museums, theater, flying, and attending her children’s numerous musical performances. Dr. Brown shares her home with her daughter Rachael, son John, four cats, and two infamously naughty beagles.
FRED HILL, DVM
Dr. Hill comes to Williamsburg by way of Florida and South Carolina. He received his DVM from the University of Florida in 1986 after graduating with a Bachelor's degree from Ohio State University. He met his wife, Debbie in South Florida during his first years of veterinary practice. After several years, the couple moved to upstate South Carolina, where he concentrated on small animal emergency medicine. In 2010, he and Debbie settled in Williamsburg to be closer to family. After enjoying work as a relief veterinarian in the area, Dr. Hill became a permanent member of the Jolly Pond team in 2014. Here, he remains the token male of the hospital. Or as he may say, "a rare rose in a sea of thorns."
When not practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Hill enjoys his hobbies of model railroading and crashing model airplanes.
ASHLEY CROSSMAN, DVM
Dr. Crossman is originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She completed her Bachelor of Science at Bridgewater College where she also played soccer. She then received her DVM from the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. She joined the team at Jolly Pond in June 2020.
Dr. Crossman currently resides in Toano with her husband, Ethan, their three-legged cat, Lieutenant Dan and rescue dog, Jasmine. When not at work, she enjoys being on the water kayaking, or mountain hiking.
Lauren Clark, DVM
(Starting June 14, 2023)
Future Dr. Clark is set to receive her DVM from Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2023. She also graduated with her B.S. in biochemistry from Virginia Tech in 2019 (Go Hokies x2!). After interning as a student and working at Jolly Pond as a technician, she is excited to permanently join the team as a doctor after graduation.
Dr. Clark lives in Williamsburg with her husband, Jake, and their 2 spunky pittie mixes Indy and Ridge. Her veterinary interests include working with rescue dogs, emergency medicine, and cardiology. In her free time, she enjoys doing CrossFit, watching Disney movies, reading, and hiking the Blue Ridge.
ASHLEY FIDLER, DVM
Dr. Fidler received a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech in 2007. After completing her undergraduate degree, she attended the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her DVM. She came to Jolly Pond in the summer of 2011, and has enjoyed being part of the team ever since.
Dr. Fidler currently resides in Toano with her husband and two young sons. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and any opportunity to relax on the river or read a good book. Her veterinary interests include wellness education, internal medicine, and surgery. She enjoys forming lasting relationships with both new and long-time Jolly Pond clients and their pets.
RUTH GUSSMAN, DVM
(Retired)
Dr. Ruth Gussman is a native of Philadelphia. She graduated from Columbia University and worked originally as a registered nurse. Realizing that Veterinary Medicine was her passion she returned to school and graduated from Colorado State University in 1994, cum laude. Dr. Gussman worked as a veterinarian in Colorado until 2007 when she joined Jolly Pond Veterinary Hospital. She moved to Virginia to be closer to her family.
A note from Dr. G:
It has been my joy and privilege to practice veterinary medicine here at Jolly Pond for the past 13 years. It is with a lot of excitement and some sadness that I have officially retired from regular practice. While I am on the verge of a new time in my life and look forward to rescue work, hobbies, and more family time, I will miss seeing all of the wonderful clients and their beloved pets.
I have worked alongside the most talented and dedicated group of people anyone could hope to work with. Each person on the Jolly Pond team - from my veterinary colleagues, technicians, office, to the Inn staff - are simply magnificent and I know you will be in the best of hands. I am especially grateful to Dr. Brown, both for the opportunity to practice here for so long and for her commitment to the community.
I have greatly valued my relationships and will miss you all dearly. Please send all the pets good health wishes on my behalf, and I look forward to seeing all of you on the sidewalks and streets of Williamsburg.
Sincerely,
Ruth Gussman, DVM