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GOES THE VET WITH
DR. JOYA Imagine, if you will, a Dr. Pimple Popper for pets! Louisville’s own Dr. Joya Griffin, DVM stars in the television series “Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya” on National Geographic WILD. BY DAWN ANDERSON COURTESY PHOTOS
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r. Griffin specializes in veterinary dermatology caring for the skin, the largest organ on an animal’s body. Her interest in animals stems from her early childhood in Dayton, Ohio. Joya connected with animals and wanted to be a veterinarian from the time she was seven when the family adopted their first cat, Chessie. Over the years, the family kept many pets, including dogs, a rabbit, fish, a frog, and even a wild-caught snapping turtle kept in an attic bathtub. (Although Dr. Griffin now advises against keeping snapping turtles as pets.)
30 TOPS LOUISVILLE | March 2022
When Joya went away to college, her parents got a Lhasa Apso named Gizmo as her “replacement.” But poor Gizmo suffered from bad skin, hair loss, and had to wear an e-collar. “There were not as many treatments then. Veterinary medicine has come a long way. We only ever saw temporary improvement with Gizmo.” So Joya took Gizmo back with her to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Within weeks, they were able to clear up her infections and get her itching under control. Her skin healed, her hair regrew, and she came out of an e-collar! I saw firsthand the difference quality specialized care could make, how it saved her life, and I wanted to do that for others.” Dr. Griffin loves seeing the transformation in beloved family pets and how meaningful her work is in restoring an animal’s appearance, quality of life, and bond with their humans. Dr. Griffin is board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) and joined
TUNE IN
Watch “Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya” Saturdays at pm/C on Nat Geo WILD and stream episodes anytime on Disney+. Visit animaldermatology.com for more information. Be sure to follow @drjoya_thepetskinvet on Instagram and @drjoyadvm on Facebook.
