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Paula is a jack of all trades, a Paula of all trades, if you will. Some of a little of everything from human resources to claims examiner for health insurance policies to medical transcription to the school nurse, then an aide in self-contained exceptional education classes all the way to earning her teaching certification in horseback riding for students who were physically or cognitively impaired. In all these paths, she has steadily chipped away and added to her character and personality, which is how she can find humor just when it’s needed. And why she greets you with a warm heart and soft smile. Paula can multi-task with the best of them likely because she filled many roles at one time. You can also guarantee that if she doesn’t know the answer, she will be the first to tell you she doesn’t know, but also, the first to find out and let you know. Although Paula can be humorous at times, she also can be serious and aid you in finding a solution to a problem. Paula’s career paths have enabled her to handle many situations thrown at her (please don’t throw things at the staff, though!), but at the end of the day, her goal is to help you – whatever it is. Paula enjoys horsin’ around at the barn. A well-kept secret is she has a fantastic interior designer eye and decorates out of this world! She loves her friends, family, and people she sees day in and day out at the clinic and their pets. She spoils Snots (there’s a story here, we promise!) and Macy Jane, her fabulous pups, absolutely rotten. You will also hear her talk about her eccentric Maltese, Nikki (aka Pandomonium aka Swamp Rat – another story!), whom she lost recently. Paula also provided the best hospice home to three rescues, Nancy, Gladys, and Squish.
Sarah was born and raised in the McCalla/Bessemer area. In growing up here, she became a well-rounded individual. You may hear her talk about health certificates, truly training and maintaining service dogs, muzzles and basket muzzling, and see her find stuff for you or your pet in a hot minute on her phone (we swear she has fire for fingertips!). Sarah has a vast experience and love for breeds. She can sit and chat with you about your pet’s unique breed, grooming requirements, needs for a job that are breed specific, or any other fun, quirky knowledge. Sarah pursued her veterinary technician degree at Jefferson State. She graduated and obtained her license in 2016. She is licensed through the state and requires continuing education hours to maintain her license. She works hard to know all there is to know about maintaining the safety of your pet while managing a soft approach. In Sarah’s free time, she loves to groom and feed her horse lots of cookies – only if the tricks are performed, though! Sarah’s horse can say hello and give you kisses – well, Sarah, really is who she prefers to give kisses to! Sarah also enjoys hiking and walking her dogs or snuggling her two cats with her significant other, Micheal, while enjoying their aquariums. It is important to note that the majority of Sarah’s pets are named after…Harry Potter!
Born and raised in the upstate of South Carolina, Dr. Cooley loved a life of horses, soccer, and music. Exceling in academics, she attended Clemson University and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Sciences. During her time at Clemson, she continued playing soccer on intramural teams as well as riding horses, primarily her dream horse, Chief. She also worked full-time as an assistant at Magnolia Veterinary Hospital, one of the only 24 hour veterinary clinics in the area at the time. Dr. Cooley also enjoyed spending time working at the Dairy Farm for calf care. After finishing her degree at Clemson, she attended Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In her senior spring semester, she pursued getting certified in large and small animal acupuncture at Chi University. After graduation, Dr. Cooley performed relief work while receiving her internship of 30 hours to complete her acupuncture certification. During those relief shifts, she was required to see and treat exotics and small mammals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils. In 2019, Dr. Cooley moved to Birmingham. COVID, as we all know, hit the following year. Dr. Cooley wasn’t able to enjoy the life she had chased in Birmingham until COVID passed. Shortly thereafter, she obtained her certification in small animal veterinary medical manipulation (aka chiropractic). She’s also been able to revisit the joys of being around horses (Chief passed in 2019 just before her move to Birmingham), surround herself with a wonderful friend family, and provide the best life for her current babies, Kismet (aka Lizzie Lickin’ Lips), Macho Kings Latte (too many nick names to list), and Evoli, her sweet kitty who is 16 years old and a tripod. You will also hear Dr. Cooley talk about her previous pets, Chief, Mayda, Cades (who had a hole in the roof of her mouth), Zed, and Mable. They are with her always!
