By Nancy Brannon, Ph.D.
After 23 years in large and small animal veterinary practice at 6543 Navy Road in Millington, Tennessee, Dr. Kim Garner has moved Big Creek Animal Hospital to a new location – 4785 Cuba Millington Road – and a building all her own.
The building was built and owned by Dr. John C. Labarreare, a family practice physician in Millington. He established his practice in the building in 1992, the same year Dr. Garner established her veterinary practice in Millington. When Dr. Labarreare retired, his building became available and Dr. Garner bought it from her former primary care physician.
Making the transition from a human health care to a pet health care practice was fairly easy, said Dr. Garner. There were some changes that had to be made, starting with a remodeling of the waiting room to accommodate pets, and adding a sound-proof wall behind the receptionists’ area to house pets in kennels, but the general layout of the building was well suited to pet care.
The long hallway starts with a small procedures/triage room, followed by three private examination rooms. The rooms have been slightly changed, adding a bench and an examination table for pets. Otherwise, the sink and other amenities in the room remain a good fit for animal care.
The 4,150 sq. ft. clinic is well equipped, with an x-ray room, an isolation area for contagious diseases, treatment rooms, a surgery, a lab and pharmacy, indoor kennel areas, a business office, and a full kitchen/break room. Still in the works is a euthanasia room on the opposite hallway, where there will be quiet, soft music, a fountain – amenities to sooth the difficult decision that pet owners have to make. Out back, the plumbing has been set for outdoor kennels that are in the process of being built.
In her new location, Dr. Garner is serving primarily dogs and cats, but she hasn’t forgotten the livestock. “I am still doing some equine treatment on out-call basis and, of course, preventive medicine and routine health care. I’m still seeing sheep and goats, too. I think I’m the only veterinarian in this area who sees sheep and goats.” She’ll be heading to the area’s stables soon to pull blood for Coggins tests and will be giving vaccinations in the spring, as requested.
You’ll see the same familiar faces of Dr. Garner’s staff at the new place, with Dr. David Hannon the relief veterinarian on Wednesday. Her surgical technician, Joyce Meyer, has served with her for 30 years. Office Manager Renee Arnold has held the position for 25 years. Receptionist Sandy Courtney has been on board for ten years, and receptionist Regina Pearson, for three years. Clinic technicians are Melissa Garret, Gabby Hipple, Cheyenne Sneller, and Rhonda Taylor. Of course, Dr. Garner’s dog “Poo” works at the clinic, too! She’s available for canine consultations on an as-needed basis, but is always the “shotgun” rider in Dr. Garner’s truck. To be safe in the truck, Poo wears her seat belt.
You are invited to check out Big Creek’s new facilities in person. Cuba Millington Road runs off Hwy. 51 by TSC, and Big Creek is on the left before your get to Macklin Feed Store. The phone number is the same: (901) 872-2281. For more information, visit their website: http://bigcreekanimalhospital.com/
After 23 years in large and small animal veterinary practice at 6543 Navy Road in Millington, Tennessee, Dr. Kim Garner has moved Big Creek Animal Hospital to a new location – 4785 Cuba Millington Road – and a building all her own.
The building was built and owned by Dr. John C. Labarreare, a family practice physician in Millington. He established his practice in the building in 1992, the same year Dr. Garner established her veterinary practice in Millington. When Dr. Labarreare retired, his building became available and Dr. Garner bought it from her former primary care physician.
Making the transition from a human health care to a pet health care practice was fairly easy, said Dr. Garner. There were some changes that had to be made, starting with a remodeling of the waiting room to accommodate pets, and adding a sound-proof wall behind the receptionists’ area to house pets in kennels, but the general layout of the building was well suited to pet care.
The long hallway starts with a small procedures/triage room, followed by three private examination rooms. The rooms have been slightly changed, adding a bench and an examination table for pets. Otherwise, the sink and other amenities in the room remain a good fit for animal care.
The 4,150 sq. ft. clinic is well equipped, with an x-ray room, an isolation area for contagious diseases, treatment rooms, a surgery, a lab and pharmacy, indoor kennel areas, a business office, and a full kitchen/break room. Still in the works is a euthanasia room on the opposite hallway, where there will be quiet, soft music, a fountain – amenities to sooth the difficult decision that pet owners have to make. Out back, the plumbing has been set for outdoor kennels that are in the process of being built.
In her new location, Dr. Garner is serving primarily dogs and cats, but she hasn’t forgotten the livestock. “I am still doing some equine treatment on out-call basis and, of course, preventive medicine and routine health care. I’m still seeing sheep and goats, too. I think I’m the only veterinarian in this area who sees sheep and goats.” She’ll be heading to the area’s stables soon to pull blood for Coggins tests and will be giving vaccinations in the spring, as requested.
You’ll see the same familiar faces of Dr. Garner’s staff at the new place, with Dr. David Hannon the relief veterinarian on Wednesday. Her surgical technician, Joyce Meyer, has served with her for 30 years. Office Manager Renee Arnold has held the position for 25 years. Receptionist Sandy Courtney has been on board for ten years, and receptionist Regina Pearson, for three years. Clinic technicians are Melissa Garret, Gabby Hipple, Cheyenne Sneller, and Rhonda Taylor. Of course, Dr. Garner’s dog “Poo” works at the clinic, too! She’s available for canine consultations on an as-needed basis, but is always the “shotgun” rider in Dr. Garner’s truck. To be safe in the truck, Poo wears her seat belt.
You are invited to check out Big Creek’s new facilities in person. Cuba Millington Road runs off Hwy. 51 by TSC, and Big Creek is on the left before your get to Macklin Feed Store. The phone number is the same: (901) 872-2281. For more information, visit their website: http://bigcreekanimalhospital.com/
