Our Veterinarians
Hemlock Animal Hospital is owned by two energetic female veterinarians, Dr. Emily Wallin, and Dr. Viviana Rodriguez, who live and have been working in the north Georgia mountains for over 6 years and are familiar with the clientele and lifestyle. We will be an active part of our community by participating in local activities as well as developing affordable vaccine and spay and neuter clinics during the year.
Dr. Emily Wallin
Dr. Wallin was raised in Franklin, Kentucky where she developed her love of animals with her family pets. Although she was always around animals, she wasn’t quite sure what career path she should take when she went to college at Western Kentucky University. As a member of the college equestrian team and while working on the College Agricultural Farm, she began to realize that her love for animals could turn into a great career choice. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree in Agriculture, she set off for Veterinary School at Tuskegee University in Alabama. Dr. Wallin graduated in 2011 and started her career as a Veterinarian in North Carolina later moving to Dahlonega, where she has been practicing in the area for the past 6 years.
Dr. Wallin is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) where she continues to learn the newest surgical techniques and medicine through continuing education. She is passionate about providing veterinary care to the community and has participated in several spay and neuter clinics and has provided care for the animals in the Lumpkin County Humane Society.
In her spare time, Dr. Wallin enjoys playing golf, spending time outdoors, fishing, kayaking, and going for hikes with her dog, Trout.
Dr. Viviana Rodríguez-Abudo
Dr. Rodriguez’s sunny disposition is no surprise since she was born and raised on the beautiful sunny island of Puerto Rico. Growing up a part of her family’s furniture business, she learned the value of being a small business owner and knew that one day she would have a small business of her own. Dr. Rodriguez completed her bachelor’s degree in microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico in 2007 and then received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2011 from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama, where she and Dr. Wallin met. She is passionate about veterinary dentistry and surgery and has been practicing in the North Georgia mountains for over six years.
Dr. Rodriguez is also a member of the AVMA and furthers her education through continuing education so that she can provide the best and newest care for her patients. She and Dr. Wallin both have traveled to Puerto Rico several times to work with Vidas to safely spay and neuter over 10,000 dogs and cats to help control the pet overpopulation and to prevent animal suffering with administering the necessary vaccinations. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and she truly enjoys forming lifelong bonds with both her clients and patients.
Outside of taking care of her patients, Dr. Rodriguez enjoys the atmosphere and peace that living in the Dahlonega area brings so she makes a point to spend as much time outdoors as possible. She loves to cook, crochet, and spend time with her family and friends, especially her niece, Abril and her two doggies, Pepa and Darcy.
