[July 27, 2011; Kennett Square, PA] – Amy Johnson, DVM was recently appointed to the faculty of New Bolton Center as assistant professor in large animal internal medicine and neurology. New Bolton Center is University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s large animal campus, located in Kennett Square, PA.

Dr. Johnson has been a clinician and lecturer at New Bolton Center, which holds as part of its mission the education of veterinary students, since 2008. During this time she also completed a non-traditional residency program in neurology, and will become one of only three large animal veterinarians in the world board-certified in both internal medicine and neurology. Dr. Johnson received her veterinary degree from Cornell University, where she also completed a large animal internal medicine residency.

As a neurologist, Dr. Johnson will focus on diseases affecting the nervous system and related diseases such as wobbler syndrome, equine herpes, West Nile virus, rabies, protozoal myeloencephalitis and other neurologic diseases to which horses as well as camelids and food animals are susceptible.

Gary Althouse, DVM, PhD and chair of clinical studies at New Bolton Center, characterizes Dr. Johnson as a seasoned academic clinician and teacher. “As both an internist and neurologist, her expertise will be unparalleled nationally, and will be a unique asset at NBC.”

Adds Ray Sweeney, VMD and chief of the section of medicine at New Bolton Center, “We are delighted to have Dr. Johnson on our faculty. Her unique expertise in both large animal internal medicine and neurology makes her a tremendous resource for our patients, clients, students, and referring veterinarians. In addition to her talent with equine patients, Dr. Johnson is skilled in the management of camelids, cattle, and small ruminants.”

Says Dr. Johnson, who volunteered at New Bolton Center as a high school student, “Penn Vet was a perfect fit for me as they have a well-established small animal neurology program that provided me with specialized training and support, and New Bolton Center has a tremendous caseload as well as exceptional resources in terms of both equipment and personnel. Neurology,” she adds, “is a fascinating and often misunderstood discipline that intrigues me. Horses, in particular, may develop a wide variety of neurologic diseases, and their welfare as well as the safety of their handlers and riders often depends on accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.”

Dr. Johnson lives in Rose Valley with her husband, three dogs and thoroughbred gelding.