Walking up the sidewalk toward the front porch of Simmons Veterinary Clinic, you can immediately sense the warmth that will welcome you inside. From the eye-pleasing hue of its blueish-greenish exterior to the living room-like environment in its front lobby, the clinic at 121 Church Street feels different.
At least, that's the hope of Founder and Veterinarian Chris Simmons.
Simmons' journey to creating the one-year-old clinic shines brightly in the world of veterinary care, where the profession's demands can sometimes overshadow the joy of helping animals. "The veterinary field, if you dig in a little bit, is (unfortunately) a bit of an unhappy place," he explains. His goal was to create a clinic that offers a sustainable, equitable workplace—a proof of concept demonstrating that a veterinary practice can be both rewarding and equitable for its staff.
"What I really wanted when I set out to do this was to create a space that was kind to people, pets, and the people who helped those pets and build everything around that."
Running his own business wasn't always the plan for Simmons, despite it being in his DNA–his parents owned and operated a thriving veterinary hospital in Florida for nearly four decades.
Having risen quickly through the ranks at a large veterinary facility, he lacked valid advancement paths and meaningful decision-making ability. The professional stagnation was compounded by a devastating 2019 personally, marked by the unexpected loss of his parents in a plane crash and the sudden death of a close friend from vet school. Amidst a season of loss, the bittersweet news of expecting his first child provided a glimmer of hope that sparked the winds of change. Determined to pivot his career, he enrolled in an MBA program at the University of Florida and balanced full-time parenting duties with the dream of bringing a clinic to life.
One of the significant challenges he identified early on before opening in April 2023 was the rising cost of care and the questions surrounding them that can often go unanswered, which frequently drives distrust from pet owners. "A lot of small practices, particularly in big cities, still do everything," Simmons notes. This jack-of-all-trades approach places immense pressure on support staff and veterinarians, leading to burnout and high turnover rates.
His solution? A family practice model focused on general care, with limited urgent care slots and the development of strategic partnerships to provide comprehensive care without overwhelming his team.
Training pet owners and keeping open lines of communication are critical. Simmons wants to change the traditional care mindset by educating clients on the reasons behind specific medical protocols and the importance of fear-free medicine. "Training pet parents to help in the room, using calm distraction techniques, and avoiding unnecessary restraints are all part of creating a kinder environment," he explains.
A key component in his approach is leveraging technology and external partnerships to enhance the clinic's efficiency and effectiveness. By collaborating with a tele-triage group, pet owners can consult with veterinarians remotely, reducing unnecessary emergency visits and allowing the clinic staff to focus on their core responsibility of providing inclusive and kind care to pets.
His innovative spirit extends to exploring new ways of delivering care. Plans for outdoor exams in a gazebo and the introduction of a membership model are just a few examples.
Building a cohesive and experienced team has been instrumental in realizing the vision. From seasoned nurses like Sharif, Dianna, and Lisa, who excel in client communication and fear-free practices, to the recent addition of Dr. Teresa Chapman, who brings fresh energy and expertise in surgeries and dentistry, each team member has played a crucial role in the clinic's early success.
As the business continues to evolve, Simmons has made one promise to himself: to stay small, personal, and agile. He envisions a future where the clinic is a hub for compassionate care, innovative practices, and community engagement. "I'm ambitious through innovation, not scope and scale," Simmons asserts, highlighting his preference for a nimble, responsive business model over the allure of corporate expansion.
Simmons Veterinary Clinic feels different, and it is easy to see why it is winning the hearts of pet parents in Decatur.
"It's this. I don't intend to get bigger than this. I intend to hire one more vet and build up the support staff to find that equilibrium that balances efficiency with quality of life and profit to ensure we can be sustainable."
"What I really wanted to do when I set out to do this was to create a space that was kind to people, pets, and the people who helped those pets and build everything around that."