About Us

Veterinarians

Justin S. Jornigan, DVM

Dr. Jornigan is originally from McDowell County and grew up in the Dysartsville community. His interest in veterinary medicine started in childhood, raising chickens, pigs, goats, and spending hours at the barn with his horses. Dr. Jornigan returned to the area in 2013 to carry on the legacy of our practice founder, Dr. Jeffrey Schutz. The veterinary team has grown and our scope of practice has expanded to include care for companion animals. 

Dr. Jornigan’s professional interests include surgery, ophthalmology, nutrition, behavior, teaching, and equine podiatry.

Dr. Jornigan and his wife, Megan are both active members at First Baptist Church Marion. He has an interest in mission work and has served with Christian Veterinary Missions in the Navajo Nation, and with his church in Belize. When he is not seeing patients, he enjoys working on projects around the farm, hiking, playing piano, spending time with his children, and any chance to vacation where he can scuba dive.

Bachelor of Science – Animal Science
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC

Membership:

> American Veterinary Medical Association
> North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association
> American Association of Equine Practitioners
> American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners

 

L. Pate Pollard, DVM

Dr. Pate Pollard is a native of Burke county and grew up in Morganton, NC. His interest in veterinary medicine began at a young age through helping his dad and grandfather on their family cattle farm, raising Simmental-cross cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, quail, and pheasant. He began riding and showing quarter horses in western pleasure and working western divisions at a young age. He was also very active in 4-H and FFA throughout middle school and high school. Throughout high school and college Pate also served as the pianist for Mount Olive Baptist Church.
 
Pate completed his undergraduate degree in Animal Science at NC State University where he met his wife Savannah. During undergraduate, Pate participated on the NC State Horsebowl team and received multiple awards including Eastern National Reserve Individual Highpoint and American Quarter Horse Congress Grand Individual Highpoint. He also was an extremely active member of NCSU Animal Science Club and rode in horsemanship on the Western Riding Team at NC State. Throughout vet school, Pate participated in multiple clubs including Student Chapter of American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, and was a member of bovine quiz-bowl and palpation teams. Additionally, he has spent many summers gaining experience working with his mentors Dr. Justin Jornigan and Dr. Emily Barton at Foothills Large Animal Hospital. In his free time, Pate enjoys running, weight lifting, cooking, reading, and playing piano. He also shares his father’s love for upland bird hunting with his gordon setter, Georgianna and English Setter, Potter.  

Bachelor of Science – Animal Science
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC

Support Staff

Megan Jornigan – Practice ManagerKatie Davis – Licensed Veterinary Technician
Makayla C. – Veterinary AssistantKendall B. – Veterinary Assistant
Dawn C. – Customer Service RepresentativeBrooke W. – Customer Service Representative
Caroline J. – Veterinary AssistantPeyton C. – Veterinary Assistant
© 2025, Foothills Animal Hospital.