Lake Town Animal Hospital
119 Amicks Ferry Road
Chapin, SC 29036

Phone: (803) 941-7030


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Office Hours by Appointment:
Monday-Friday 7:30am - 6:00pm
Sat. 8:00am - 12:00pm
(1st & 3rd Saturdays only)
Sunday Closed


Lake Town Animal Hospital


At Lake Town Animal Hospital, our team is small but mighty, and our strengths are experience, compassion, and dedication.

For us, it’s not only about providing exceptional medical and surgical care, it’s about building relationships and doing everything possible to strengthen the bond you have with your pet.

Team Lake Town is committed to helping your pet live its happiest, healthiest life.

Lake Town Animal Hospital

Meet The Lake Town Team




Lisha Whitaker, DVM

Veterinarian Owner


Fear-Free Professional

Dr. Lisha Whitaker is co-owner of Lake Town Animal Hospital and has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2006.

She was born in Germany and grew up all over the world until her father retired from the Navy and returned to South Carolina when she was in high school. Dr. Whitaker attended USC for both her undergraduate and masters degrees.

After graduating from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, she returned to practice in Chapin and live close to her family. Dr. Whitaker has special interests in geriatric care, preventive medicine, community education, and promoting public health.

She shares her home with a border collie named Mia, a cavachon named Zoe, and two kitties named Sheldon Cooper and Marina. And one small human named Isabella!

She enjoys hiking, baking, traveling, reading and cuddling on the couch with Izzie and their pets for family movie time!






Holly Hodges, DVM

Veterinarian Owner


Fear-Free Professional

Originally from Arkansas, Dr. Holly Hodges has called Chapin, SC home since 1985. She is a graduate of Chapin High School, and completed both her undergraduate and veterinary education at North Carolina State University (2001). As a military wife, Dr. Hodges began her career in equine specialty practice in Charleston, SC, followed by mixed-animal practice in Valdosta, GA, and small animal practice in Lexington and then Chapin upon returning home in 2007. Dr. Hodges enjoys all aspects of veterinary practice, but especially likes ophthalmology, senior care, and weight management. Dr. Hodges is also passionate about client education and any interaction with clients and patients that strengthens the human-animal bond.

Dr. Hodges has been married to her high school sweetheart, Trey, since 2001, and they have 2 daughters, Claire and Lindsay. Their family is completed by a Boston terrier named Bossy, a golden retriever named Bailey, and two frisky felines, Pepper and Ziggy – all adoptees.

In her free time, Dr. Hodges enjoys cooking, camping, gardening, church activities, trips to the mountains, and a variety of sports – all with her family!

“I am so blessed to be a part of a profession that is driven by the amazing bond that people share with their pets. Opening a practice in my hometown is an incredible opportunity to combine my passion for caring for animals with the love I have for my community and its residents.”





Our Team of Fear Free Certified Professionals


Diana Brown

Client Care Representative

Diana has been in the veterinary field since 2017 and currently resides with 2 miniature dachshunds, a rescue dog, and a couple of special needs guinea pigs. In her free time Diana enjoys tending to her succulents and spending time by the lake.


Fear-Free Professional

Stacy Jefferson

Client Care Representative

Stacy joined Team Lake Town in 2021. She has been married to her wonderful husband for 3 years and has two beautiful fur babies, Sam and Stella. Stacy loves to write and is currently in school to become a veterinary technician.


Fear-Free Professional

Jamie Donka

Client Care Representative

Jamie is originally from Chicago. She studied Veterinary Assisted Care in Canada and has been part of the veterinary field since 2013. She enjoys ferreting out new animal facts, surfing at the beach, reading, writing and helping with the family farm.


Fear-Free Professional

Michelle Murphy

Administrative Support

Michelle is an original member of Lake Town and certified Veterinary Assistant. She is passionate about animal welfare and practices animal reiki. Michelle lives in Chapin with her husband Neil - they have three grown up children and their beloved rescue Border Terrier, Ella.


Fear-Free Professional



Devin King

Veterinary Assistant

Devin has been a part of Team Lake Town since the clinic opened in 2018. She has worked in the veterinary field since 2006 and loves the challenges it brings. She has a soft spot for geriatric animals and would adopt them all. Devin enjoys hiking, kayaking, and gardening, and has a sweet kitty, Stevie, that keeps her busy at home.


Fear-Free Professional

Danielle Riley

Veterinary Assistant

Danielle has been in the veterinary profession since 2015 and a part of our team since 2019. Her passion is working with animals and knowing she's making a difference. She loves succulents and riding 4 wheelers. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have a beautiful daughter & 5 fur babies- Gauge, Holley, Silvia, Elsa, and Moana.


Fear-Free Professional

Jenny Sampica

Veterinary Assistant

Jenny joined Team Lake Town in August 2020. She has been working in the veterinary field since 2017 and is currently in school to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician. Jenny shares her time with husband Grant, dogs Bogart and Mia, parrot Petri, and ball python Nessie. She enjoys baking and having game nights with friends.


Fear-Free Professional

Micah Smith

Veterinary Assistant

Micah was born and raised in SC and has worked in veterinary hospitals across the midlands since 2016. In early 2021, she decided to relocate to the Chapin area and join the team at Lake Town Animal Hospital. In addition to helping pets in need, she likes to spend her spare time painting, reading and playing with her Siberian Husky, Roman.


Fear-Free Professional



Lake Town Animal Hospital
“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.”
--Albert Schweitzer

At Lake Town Animal Hospital, our practice philosophy includes care not only for our patients but connection with our community as well. We believe in giving back and supporting organizations that have personal meaning to us. Together, we can make a difference!

We are proud to announce our first partnership will be in support of Service Dogs for Veterans (www.sd4v.org). This non-profit organization helps SC veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma reclaim their lives by pairing them with rescued shelter dogs. Training for the service dog and veteran team takes about eight months and is provided at minimal cost thanks to donor support.


sd4v.org

Lake Town Animal Hospital is proud to partner with Service Dogs for Veterans in the full sponsorship of USMC Veteran, Gabriel Martinez, and Lab-shepherd rescue, Jak. This special pair has completed 9 months of training to become an ADA Compliant Service Dog Team. Veteran Martinez served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps, including one tour in Iraq. We are exceedingly grateful to Gabriel for his service to our country, and honored to be a small part of giving both him and Jak a new lease on life. In Gabriel’s own words in a letter of appreciation to our team at LTAH, “I can not put a price [on how much Jak has helped me and my family], and it is all thanks to your contribution. I will always be grateful you were there for me when I needed help.” Graduates of the Sd4V program experience, on average, a 47% reduction in life-limiting symptoms attributed to PTSD. Team Lake Town is proud to be a part of making a difference, and we look forward to continuing support for South Carolina veterans.

*Look for information about our fundraising efforts on behalf of this amazing organization on Facebook and Instagram @laketownvet!