12 Healthy Trail, Hillsville VA 24333 | 276-728-4841 | 
111 Healthy Trail, Mount Airy, NC 27030 | 336-789-0009 | 
Our Doctors
Jim Adams, DVM
Although born and raised in North Carolina, Dr. Jim Adams spent long childhood summers on his grandparents’ small farm in rural southwest Virginia. It was there that he was first inspired by the natural rhythms and work ethics of farm life. The community’s veterinarian was held in high esteem and the locals consulted him on everything from when to breed the cows, to local political questions, to how to fund their children’s college educations. Dr. Adams decided in his early teens to follow that path of community service and leadership, and he quickly developed a strong desire to help people by caring for their animals.
Dr. Adams graduated from North Carolina State University in 1981 with a degree in animal science. He went on to earn his DVM degree from Auburn in 1984. After graduation, Dr. Adams immediately returned to Virginia and joined a mixed animal practice as a large animal veterinarian. In 1986, he joined Dr. Strauss at Carroll Veterinary Clinic and together they founded Foothills Pet Healthcare Clinic in 1999.
While Dr. Adams’ original passion was large animal medicine and surgery—especially herd health of ruminants—he has always enjoyed the small animal side of practice. As our area’s local farm economy has evolved, Dr. Adams and his fellow veterinarians’ interests and skills have shifted to focus on small animal care. Dr. Adams enjoys all aspects of his current practice, but especially looks forward to treating new puppies and handling challenging cases where careful detective work can lead to an answer. He also enjoys emergency medicine, geriatric issues, and dermatology.
Dr. Adams is a member of the AVMA, VVMA, NCVMA, and a past president of the Virginia Academy of Food Animal Practice. Over the course of his career, he has presented papers at regional and national veterinary conferences and has periodically appeared as a guest speaker at the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He frequently consults with other Virginia practices on the management of obesity in pets and client communications and services.
When not practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Adams can be found restoring older houses, working in his yard, skiing, or exploring state and national parks on foot or by mountain bike with his wife of 28 years, Lisa, a practicing CPA. The couple has two children who attend Radford University and the University of Virginia. Although neither is planning a career as a veterinarian, both have assisted in a number of farm calls and emergencies over the years. Dr. Adams has served on the Galax City School Board and the Galax City Planning Commission for many years.
The Adams family shares their home with three dogs and the occasional Coatamundi. Over the years, the family has enjoyed the company of a rabbit, a pig, a lamb, five cats, and assorted uninvited—but always welcome—animal guests.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue a career that brings me into contact with so many caring people and that has allowed me to help all kinds of creatures—large and small, as well as human and not so human.”
H.G. Mark Strauss, DVM
As early as sixth grade, Dr. H. G. Mark Strauss’ parents recognized his aptitude for science, and they encouraged it. He was the first child of his generation to be college bound, and his father was a big supporter of Dr. Strauss pursuing a veterinary degree. By the time Dr. Strauss graduated from high school, becoming a veterinarian was his one and only career choice. He attended Towson State College and University of Maryland and graduated with a BS in microbiology. He went on to attend the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1980.
Dr. Strauss came to the twin county area in 1980 and worked in a multi-species practice. He quickly realized that the community was right where he wanted to stay for the rest of his career. He founded Carroll Veterinary Clinic in 1984 and has since seen it grow into a four-doctor practice. In 1999, Dr. Strauss co-founded Foothills Pet Healthcare Clinic with his partner, Dr. James G. Adams Jr.
Dr. Strauss enjoys all aspects of practice and maintains a special interest in orthopedic surgery and behavior. He also plays a key role in the business administration side of the practices.
Married to Brenda, a native of the Galax/Fries area, Dr. Strauss and his wife are blessed with five adult children and six grandchildren. The couple lives on a farm in Hillsville with two dogs and three cats, all of which came into the family with medical issues. The Strauss’ also graze 60 to 80 beef cattle each year.
When not at work, Dr. Strauss can be found getting his hands dirty on the farm or enjoying his favorite hobby—antique Mack trucks. He currently owns two B-61 Macks from the 1960s that he frequently works on and runs occasionally for work purposes. Dr. Strauss’ other hobby is 0-gauge model railroading, which he enjoys with his 7-year-old grandson who lives just across the yard. One of his favorite things in life is obliging his grandson’s requests to ride on the tractor or work on the trains. He and his wife also enjoy RV camping and taking their grandchildren on trips. The couple hopes to do the big cross-country tour in their RV one day.
The Strauss family is blessed to be part of First United Methodist Church of Hillsville, where Brenda and Dr. Strauss are members of the choir. Dr. Strauss has served the church as finance chairman and currently serves as treasurer. He and his wife have been on many mission trips together, going to Mexico in 2001 and 2005.
“I have always maintained that veterinarians never choose their pets, but that they get chosen by animals that are facing an untimely demise. In addition to caring for the needs of my family’s own pets, if called to do so, I would like to go on more veterinary mission trips. It’s a chance to help give back some of the many gifts God has given me.”
Lori Potts, DVM
Growing up in New Jersey, Dr. Lori Potts always had a love of all animals, and the animals seemed to love her right back. While attending the University of Virginia for her undergraduate studies, she became involved in a wide variety of community service experiences and quickly discovered how much she enjoyed helping people. Pursing a career as a veterinarian has allowed her to combine her passions for people and pets by helping people to care for their special animal companions.
After receiving her DVM degree from the University of Illinois in 2003, Dr. Potts moved to the area to pursue her goal of working in a mixed animal practice. She worked in Sparta, North Carolina, for 4 years before deciding to join the Carroll Veterinary Clinic and Foothills Pet Healthcare Clinic practice in 2007. In her current position, she is able to further specialize in the care of small animals and she enjoys all aspects of small animal practice.
Dr. Potts and her husband, Joe, live in Independence, Virginia, with their daughter, Lily Bet, just born in 2009, and their three dogs, Jack, Ben, and Maggie. Maggie is a terrier mix and has been with Dr. Potts since before she started veterinary school. Maggie was a stray wandering around a city park in Baltimore when Dr. Potts found her, and ever since the two have traveled all over the country together. Ben is a lab/shepherd mix and has been Dr. Potts’ husband Joe’s dog since before the couple met. Ben loves to fetch, but even after all these years, he hasn’t learned how to give back the toy he has retrieved. Jack is a Pyrenees mix that Dr. Potts and her husband found as a stray in Sparta. He is a gentle giant who charms everyone he meets.
In addition to spending time with her family, Dr. Potts enjoys cooking and baking, spending time in the garden, painting, sculpture, and floating on the river.
“I love that every day I am able to come to work with excellent colleagues and a great staff. I feel so privileged to work with so many caring clients who allow me to provide help and comfort to their special companions.”
Teresa (Fischer) McKenzie, DVM
According to Dr. Teresa (Tracy) McKenzie’s parents, their daughter has shown an interest in veterinary medicine since the age of 3, when she began attempting to “doctor” bugs and other small critters. By the time she turned 10, Dr. McKenzie was telling friends and family that she wanted to become a veterinarian. She was inspired in her career choice when another veterinarian saved the life of her dog after a car hit the pet, fracturing its leg and pelvis.
Pursuing her dream, Dr. McKenzie attended Cornell University and graduated in 1992 with a BS in animal science. She earned her DVM from the same university in 1996..
Dr. McKenzie began her professional career as a herd veterinarian for a dairy farm in upstate New York, where she provided care for over 10,000 Holstein cows. In May 1999, she began practicing with Carroll Veterinary Clinic and Foothills Pet Healthcare Clinic, where she maintains a special interest in soft tissue surgery and preventive medicine. Dr. McKenzie is a member of AVMA and VVMA.
When not practicing medicine, you can find Dr. McKenzie spending time with her husband, Martin, and taking care of their two young daughters, Ericka Ann and Elena Rose. When she has free time, Dr. McKenzie enjoys crocheting, sewing, remodeling her home, and riding roller coasters.
Dr. McKenzie and her husband share a love for Boxers and currently have five: Maggie (a 12-year-old Boxer mix), Lucy (a 10-year-old Boxer mix), Luke (a 6-year-old Boxer rescued in 2006), Beau (a 3-year-old Boxer rescued in 2006), and Ty (a 7-year-old Boxer rescued in 2008). The family also has a kitten named Sullivan, which they rescued in September 2009.
“The thing I like the most about my job is working with people who love their pets. It’s very rewarding to help educate them on how to keep their pets healthy and make reasonable and humane decisions about their care.”
“The doctors and staff at Foothills Pet Healthcare are the best! Drs. Strauss, Adams, McKenzie, and Potts offer competent and gentle care. They take the time to explain diagnosis and treatment options. Participation in the wellness program has allowed me to keep my four dogs current on check ups, vaccines, and office visits more affordably. I can’t say enough good things about all the folks at Foothills. They take great care of my dogs and me.”
— Jane Taylor 'Ringo, Hannah Rose, Sydney, Lucy'