Dr. John M. Morton . D. V. M

Dr. Morton received his Bachelor of Science in 1967 and graduated from Texas A &M University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1969. As the owner of Morton Small Animal Clinic, Dr. Morton has a special interest in veterinary dentistry and surgery. Dr. Morton is happy to be practicing with his son. In his spare time, Dr. Morton enjoys gardening–he is especially fond of raising black-eyed peas and watermelons!–and taking care of his cattle.

Dr. James M. Morton D. V. M

Dr. James Morton is a 2008 graduate of Texas A & M University. After graduation, he joined a mixed animal practice in Wharton, Texas for 3 years before coming to Morton Small Animal Clinic, May 1, 2011. Dr. Morton grew up in Athens and was a 1999 graduate of Athens High School. He is married to Dr. Kayla Morton, a dentist in Tyler, TX and together they have three children. Dr. Morton enjoys major bone and A.C.L surgery. He enjoys internal medicine has an interest in ophthalmology. Dr. Morton enjoys ranching, raising cattle, and spending time with his family

Dr. Joe Embry D.V. M.

Dr. Joe Embry was born and raised in Kemp, TX, and graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Dr. Embry resides in Athens with his wife and three children. His special interests include internal medicine cases and canine dentistry. In his spare time, he enjoys barbecuing and fishing, and spending time with the family Golden Retriever Athena. Dr. Embry loves vacationing along the Texas coast and has a special affinity for the historical district of Galveston and the nearby fishing pier of Surfside Beach.

“I feel that Morton Small Animal Clinic offers excellent mentorship along with a diverse caseload. We also possess state–of–the–art diagnostic capabilities that are invaluable assets in working up challenging cases. It’s a privilege to have this at my disposal as I transition the years of schooling into the art of practice.”

Dr. Kiera Lowry D. V. M.

Dr. Kiera Lowry was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She met her husband when she came to Texas to pursue her undergraduate degree at Dallas Baptist University. She worked for Morton Small Animal Clinic as a veterinary assistant before moving to Michigan to attend Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She graduated in May 2019 and was excited to return to MSAC as an associate veterinarian.

Dr. Lowry has particular interests in veterinary ophthalmology, dermatology, and orthopedics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, being outdoors, and baking. She and her husband live in Athens with their pets and are volunteer firefighters with North 19 Fire Rescue.

Dr. Ryan Grafel D. V. M.

Dr. Ryan Grafel was born and raised in Hastings, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska for his bachelor’s degree and graduated from Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. Dr. Grafel’s veterinary interests include cardiology and dermatology. Dr. Grafel enjoys spending time outdoors and likes upland and waterfowl hunting, fishing, and hiking. He is also an avid college football fan (Go Big Red) and enjoys playing guitar. 

Dr. Colin McAlister D. V. M.

Dr. Colin McAlister is a 2015 graduate of the University of Glasgow’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Scotland. Originally from the North Antrim area of Northern Ireland, he grew up on a small farm and then worked one year in mixed practice after graduation. In 2016 he decided to come to the USA to pursue his career and has been living here since. His areas of interest include orthopedics and general surgery. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling or playing various sports including tennis, soccer, or racquetball.