Dr. Edward A Shelly
A 40 year career in veterinary medicine had humble beginnings on his family farm in Vera Cruz, PA. There, he witnessed the admiration and respect his family veterinarian received. Coupled with a keen interest in medicine, he decided to dedicate himself to a life of care and compassion. Having worked throughout the Lehigh Valley, Dr. Shelly eventually settled outside Palmerton PA, where he opened Little Gap Animal Hospital in 1986, and 5 years later Blue Ridge Veterinary Clinic in Walnutport PA.
Dr. Shelly loves the outdoors. If you weren’t to find him in the woods or on the water, he enjoys trying new restaurants in the area and spending time with his family. He is a decorated competitive clay pigeon shooter, and always happy to talk about his hobby with those who may be interested. He is exceedingly proud with being able to keep the businesses he built within the family, with both of his children taking active roles.
VMD
Dr. Benjamin J Shelly
Raised in nearby Lehigh Township, Dr. Benjamin J Shelly learned his love for veterinary medicine young, working for his father at Little Gap Animal Hospital and Blue Ridge Veterinary Clinic.
"Being in the family of a veterinarian, there really isn’t any way not to be exposed to the profession - both the good and the bad. As I got older, I enjoyed my experiences working in the animal hospitals more and more, until at some point I realized that I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I love every aspect of it: the patients, the clients, the medicine, even the occasional long night."
Benjamin is passionate about surgery, and has an excellent mentor in his father who shares his passion. However, Benjamin has no greater joy than interacting with his clients and patients, both new and those who have been seeing a Dr. Shelly for decades. "What keeps me going is knowing that I am strengthening the human-animal bond between my clients and their pets. Growing up, my pets were always there for me and to be able to be there for my patients when they need it most is the greatest reward my career gives back to me, and to me is the essence of what this profession aims to be.”
When not at the hospitals, Dr. Benjamin Shelly enjoys spending time in the garden or playing basketball. Often he can be found visiting friends and classmates in Philadelphia.
VMD
Dr. Jodie Santore
From a young age, Dr. Jodie Santore recognized and cherished the human-animal bond. Her own bond with her own pets growing up propelled her interest in pursing a lifetime commitment to fostering and protecting that bond through veterinary medicine. “Since I couldn’t become one of my pets myself, the next best thing was to become a veterinarian and care for them”. Dr. Santore brings an incredible energy to Blue Ridge Veterinary Clinic, and has cherished the relationships she has been able to build with her clients and patients.
VMD
Dr. Carol Filchner
“I knew pretty early on that this was my calling. Growing up, my family would laugh at me because I only knew our neighbors by the names of their pets”. That interest in animals continued through high school, where Dr. Filchner shadowed right here in the clinic she has now worked at since 2001. Every day she is reminded about what got her into the veterinary profession in the first place “I love seeing my patients and being in the position to help them when they most need it, there is nothing like working in a profession that can be constantly rewarding”.
When not at the clinic, Dr. Filchner values spending time with her family, whether at home or attending one of her two daughters’ field hockey games. She also shares a home with her labrador retriever Clyde and two cats, Bonnie and Scamp.
DVM