Dr. Bruce was born in Lynchburg and grew up in Virginia and Utah. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1982 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation he worked for Westinghouse Defense and Sperry Marine, earning a M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1992. The following fall he returned to Virginia Tech to attend the College of Veterinary Medicine, received his doctorate in 1996, and opened Read Mountain Animal Hospital in 1999. Dr. Bruce lives in Botetourt County with Anna, his hospital manager/Veterinary nurse and wife of over 30 years and their Whippet dogs Finley and Amelia. Amelia is pictured with Dr. Bruce.
Anna was born and raised in Tidewater Virginia, but often visited Roanoke as a child. She graduated from Radford University in 1982 with a B. S. in History and worked as an archaeologist at several locations in the Mid-Atlantic states. She earned an A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology from Blue Ridge Community College in 2003 and became licensed as a Veterinary Nurse the same year. Anna is the hospital manager and head technician.