DR. HANNAH VARNELL
DVM
Dr. Varnell earned her DVM from NC State University in 2020, specializing in the epidemiology of food animals and earning a Certificate in Global Health alongside her degree. Dr. Varnell’s journey toward veterinary medicine began with a foundation in economics from Stanford University, where she focused on food security. This interest led to research opportunities in East Africa and a subsequent position with One Acre Fund after graduation. While this work was fulfilling, she felt a pull towards direct involvement in food animal health and welfare, leading her to attend NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Her passion for preventative medicine and global health was evident in her studies, including research with the International Livestock Research Institute in Nairobi and extensive time spent with USDA-APHIS in Raleigh, gaining valuable insights into national and international animal agriculture practices.
Following graduation, Dr. Varnell completed a two-year clinical internship and residency in food animal medicine at Virginia Tech’s Production Management and Medicine department. This specialized training prepared her to establish a rural farm animal practice in Roanoke, VA. While her practice grew, a personal move to Arizona prompted her to transition her Virginia clients to a beneficial merger with Ironsides Animal Health, a Heritage Vet Partner clinic and well-established food animal practice in the region. Dr. Varnell thus became a member and partner of the Heritage team, where she provides ongoing clinical operations support to the growing community of rural practices.
Additionally, Dr. Varnell provides livestock veterinary services to Northern Arizona while maintaining connections with her Virginia clients through consulting and telemedicine services. Her specialized interests include all ruminant production (sheep/goat, cow-calf, dairy, beef) and swine (backyard, farrow-finish). Her post-graduate training allows Dr. Varnell to provide comprehensive care, including specialized internal medicine for high-value livestock. She also offers national consulting services for the growing field of solar grazing, working with sheep and cattle grazing operations.
Apart from veterinary endeavors, you can find Dr. Varnell hiking with her husband and beagles, enjoying craft beer from local breweries, and avoiding an attack from her farm’s guard alpaca, Tupaca.
Following graduation, Dr. Varnell completed a two-year clinical internship and residency in food animal medicine at Virginia Tech’s Production Management and Medicine department. This specialized training prepared her to establish a rural farm animal practice in Roanoke, VA. While her practice grew, a personal move to Arizona prompted her to transition her Virginia clients to a beneficial merger with Ironsides Animal Health, a Heritage Vet Partner clinic and well-established food animal practice in the region. Dr. Varnell thus became a member and partner of the Heritage team, where she provides ongoing clinical operations support to the growing community of rural practices.
Additionally, Dr. Varnell provides livestock veterinary services to Northern Arizona while maintaining connections with her Virginia clients through consulting and telemedicine services. Her specialized interests include all ruminant production (sheep/goat, cow-calf, dairy, beef) and swine (backyard, farrow-finish). Her post-graduate training allows Dr. Varnell to provide comprehensive care, including specialized internal medicine for high-value livestock. She also offers national consulting services for the growing field of solar grazing, working with sheep and cattle grazing operations.
Apart from veterinary endeavors, you can find Dr. Varnell hiking with her husband and beagles, enjoying craft beer from local breweries, and avoiding an attack from her farm’s guard alpaca, Tupaca.