Dr. McSweeney grew up in Old Metairie where he attended St. Catherine of Siena School. As a young child he knew he wanted to become a veterinarian. He attended Archbishop Rummell and Vanderbilt Catholic High School when his family moved to Houma.

Dr. McSweeney graduated from LSU Vet school in May of 1984. After graduation he worked at the Louisiana SPCA Hospital where he worked with indigent clients and developed keen surgical and diagnostic skills. For seven years he volunteered his time to do a weekly television segment on WDSU’s morning show which benefitted the Louisiana SPCA and promoted pet adoptions. He continued to volunteer his time for the segment even after he left the SPCA and opened the Animal Medical & Surgical Hospital in 1992.

Over the past thirty years, “Dr. Pat” has focused his practice in the direction of pain management. Trained by Pfizer Animal Health, he has taught pain management seminars locally and throughout the country focusing on anesthesia and analgesia. The Animal Medical and Surgical Hospital has hosted continuing education seminars for local veterinarians regarding this subject. Dr. Pat has also done round table discussions on pain management that included participants nationwide.

Because of his experience with Pfizer (now known as Zoetis), Dr. McSweeney and the hospital have been asked to participate in numerous clinical trials over the last fifteen years. These drug trials require precise data observing and documenting. One of these studies was published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Association in February of 2012.

When Katrina approached the New Orleans area, the McSweeneys evacuated with their many animals and the hospital’s boarding and hospitalized animals. Dr. McSweeney returned to find his New Orleans home flooded. He borrowed a pirogue and paddled to the second floor of his home in order to recover some belongings. He returned to the hospital only 10 days after the storm with all the animals, along with his wife Beverly and Dr. Carriere and began helping those animals who were left behind. In fact, for months the hospital was basically turned into an animal shelter for those pets left behind who were rescued after the storm.

The hospital also took on another project – helping Lakeview Veterinary Hospital survive the storm. The Animal Medial & Surgical Hospital hosted Lakeview Veterinary Hospital and worked side by side with them for almost a year.

Since then, the McSweeneys have returned to their rebuilt home in Lakeview and Dr. McSweeney has been focusing on disaster preparedness, because in this area, it’s not a matter of if, but when another hurricane or tropical storm will hit. He purchased a motor home for any future evacuations which is parked outside of the hospital.

Patrick and Beverly McSweeney have been happily married since 1984. They have no kids, but have many four-legged children. Dr. Pat loves his pets. He also loves to travel. Although he works hard, he also plays hard. When time allows, he also loves to exercise.