Doctor Jessica Clements has been working with McAfee Animal Hospital since Febuary of 2021. This most recent venture is new, but Dr. Clements has extensive experience spanning over the majority of her life.
“I started back in high school working at a small animal clinic in California, where I grew up,” said Dr. Clements. “I really liked science when I was in high school, and I knew I loved animals, so I thought this would be a good fit. Then I went to veterinary school and once I got married, we decided to live here in Valparaiso.”
Dr. Clements graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. She got married in 1999 and worked at a practice near her university between graduating and moving to the Region.
Dr. Clements’ husband was working in Valparaiso at the time, and the two decided it would be a good place for them to begin their family. She has five children who attend or have attended St. Paul Catholic School. Her high schoolers are attending Andrean High School.
“I’ve been practicing in Northwest Indiana for a little over 20 years and just decided that it was time to move on from my last practice,” Dr. Clements said. “I wanted a new opportunity. I’ve known Dr. Steve [Violanti] for about 20 years; we used to be neighbors actually.”
While she only knew Dr. Steve beforehand, Dr. Clements has adjusted to the animal hospital well and fits right in.
“The people have been great to work with,” said Dr. Clements. “Dr. Steve, Dr. Brooke, and the rest of the staff have been very welcoming and very supportive. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them and the clients and pets.”
She enjoys the pets and clients, and they adore her back. By focusing on quality of life, her clients always leave with the best possible results and feel taken care of.
“I love working with the pets and helping the clients,” Dr. Clements said. “My favorite type of practice is dermoatology because a lot of the dogs and cats we see with skin issues are really pretty miserable. They’re itchy and they’re sore, so by giving them some relief we can really improve their quality of life.”
While Dr. Clements is working with pets, she explains what she is doing and why. She never wants an owner to feel worried about their pet and finds that keeping the process transparent is the best way to do this.
For Dr. Clements, being a veterinarian is not just work. She adores animals and began working in the field because it means a great deal to her.
“I have a West Highland White Terrier and a Cairn Terrier. So I like the little terrier dogs. Right now I’m helping a Great Dane that is in heart failure, which has been pretty challenging.”
Although the work may be tough at times, Dr. Clements is proud to do it and is thankful for her family and the team at McAfee Animal Hospital standing behind her.
To learn more about McAfee Animal Hospital and their work, visit here.