She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Resource Economics from the University of Florida. She later studied Animal Science at Louisiana State University and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Her emphasis had been on primary preventive care until the last two years, which she spent in Emergency Practice. She firmly believes every pet deserves some level of care, and good preventive care helps us enjoy our lives with our pets longer.

Dr. Jones moved to Tennessee in 2006 post-Katrina from the Baton Rouge area with her husband, two children, and two cats. Her children attended Soddy Daisy Middle and Soddy Daisy High School. Both children were active in the band programs, and she was an active band parent until her daughter graduated in 2013. Her husband is an instructor at Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant and is a Navy veteran.

Dr. Jones has two feline companions at home, Ren and Ku. They patrol her home and enjoy racing through the house together.

Jeanna Smith is married to Jimmy Smith and has two adorable children, Colt and Aubree. Her dog Smoki came to the family as a puppy in 2012. Jeanna started her career in pet health care as a receptionist in 2008. She soon left the front desk for more hands-on experience assisting in the exam rooms and her favorite position, assisting with surgery. Here at Hixson Pet Wellness Center, she gets to do it all.

Jennie (Jenn) Wilkison has been in animal care/medicine for over 25 years now. She discovered her passion for animals at a very young age, bringing home the sick bunnies and stray kittens, much encouraged by her father. She has worked at several veterinary
clinics/hospitals and an animal shelter. She and Dr. Jones first worked together in 2006, so when Dr. Jones opened her new clinic, Jenn was excited to be brought on as part of the team. She, like Dr. Jones, believes in making the experience stress-free for the pet, the owner, and the team, while providing the best care possible. She is currently a proud “crazy cat lady” mom to 5 cats.

Victoria (Vikki) Thompson has been in animal care since 2016. She is from Mobile, AL but has lived in Tennessee since 2006. Vikki has had animals her whole life and currently has three dogs and a cat with her husband.

Always wanting to work in this field, she started her veterinary career at an animal shelter, where she also met Jennie. There, her passion was sealed. Now with new opportunities, she hopes to move forward to even more hands-on experience behind the scenes in animal welfare.

Brooke Watson is an independent mother to her beautiful daughter, Sky. She is a local to Chattanooga and very recently joined the veterinary field. Although she is the front desk person, Brooke can be found assisting all over the clinic. Apart from work, Brooke enjoys most of her free time being outdoors, riding motocross, and taking spontaneous road trips. She even has a cat named Throttle. If there is one thing you need to know about Brooke, it is that she is always ready for the next challenge.

Jodi Minter-Edmondson is new to veterinary care but has a big passion for animals and helping them. She lives on a houseboat (36 ft Gulfstar Trawler) with her husband and 2 year old English Bulldog, Buddy Butterball. One of the things she enjoys most outside of work is being outside in nature. She enjoys taking out her boat and staying on anchor.