Hahira Veterinary Clinic

Hahira Veterinary Clinic is a full-service veterinary medical 
facility, located in Hahira, GA. The professional and courteous 
staff at Hahira Veterinary Clinic seeks to provide the best 
possible medical care, surgical care and dental care for their 
highly-valued patients. We are committed to promoting
responsible pet ownership, preventative health care and health-
related educational opportunities for our clients. Hahira 
Veterinary Clinic strives to offer excellence in veterinary 
care to Hahira, GA and surrounding areas. Please take a moment
to contact us today, to learn more about our veterinary practice 
and to find out more information about how Hahira Veterinary 
Clinic can serve the needs of you and your pet.
  • Mon-Fri: 8:00AM-5:30PM
  • For after hours emergency
  • care call (229)794-0040

  • Doug Ruff, DVM, Owner

    Dr. Douglas Ruff is a small-animal practitioner who has been practicing veterinary medicine since 1997.

    A native of Madison Florida, Dr. Ruff says that as a young boy he always had a special interest in animals. Becoming a veterinarian allowed him to pursue what has been a lifelong interest and passion for animal care and helping people.

    In 1990, Dr. Ruff entered the University of Florida where he undertook a pre-veterinary curriculum. By 1993, he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Animal Science.

    Concurrent to Dr. Ruff's senior undergraduate year, he entered the University of Florida' College of Veterinary Medicine where he graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. His areas of particular professional interest include internal medicine as well as soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.

    After graduating, he pursued a teaching internship at Kansas State University for one year. After completing the internship he moved to Okeechobee Florida and practiced large and small animal medicine for two years. In 2000 he moved to the lake Park area and practiced for 6 years. In September 2007 he built and opened Hahira Veterinary Clinic.

    Dr. Ruff and his wife Jann have four children, Ellie, Ruby, Lyla and Fisher. Beyond his veterinary duties and spending time with his family, Dr. Ruff enjoys fishing and hunting. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Georgia Veterinary Medical Association and an active member of Hahira United Methodist Church.

    Years in Practice:
    Apr 20, 1997
    Education:
    University of Florida

  • Dr. Kelly Barrett

    Dr. Kelly Barrett is a small animal practitioner who has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2009.

    Dr. Barrett is a native of Auburn, AL and is a second generation veterinarian.  Growing up in rural Alabama, she developed an interest in veterinary medicine working with her father on the family farm. A great deal of her childhood was spent being actively involved in 4-H showing cattle.

    Dr. Barrett entered Auburn University in 2000 and received a Bachelor's of Science in Animal Sciences in 2004. She then attended Auburn Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2008 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

    Upon graduation Dr. Barrett worked on both small and large animals in Fayetteville, TN for 2 years before returning home to Auburn, AL to practice for the past 3 years.  She has a general interest in all small practice but is particularly interested in internal medicine and wound management.

    Dr. Barrett is married to Valdosta native and Veterinarian, Dr. Jay Barrett. The live here with their handsome sons and dogs (Linus & Josie) and three cats (Ajax, Squash, and Chigger). She enjoys spending time with her family and watching Auburn football.

     

    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2009
    Education:
    Auburn University

  • Dr. Emily Thornton

    Dr. Emily Thornton comes to us as a recent graduate from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  Originally from Tuscumbia, Alabama, she developed a love for animals while spending time on her grandfather’s farm, playing with family pets, and volunteering at the local animal shelter.

     Prior to veterinary school, she spent 4 years working as a veterinary technician at a small animal veterinary hospital and emergency veterinary hospital in north Alabama.  She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of North Alabama, then moved to Auburn to complete the final chapter of her academic career.  During her time in Auburn, she focused on small animal medicine and became particularly interested in internal medicine, surgery, and diagnostic imaging. 

     Dr. Thornton and her husband, Andrew, recently moved to Hahira with their two dogs, Beau and Reese, and their cat, Batman.  Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and being active in her local church. 

    Years in Practice:
    May 24, 2019
    Education:
    Auburn University

  • Brandi Wadsworth

    Brandi has been with us since we opened our doors in September of 2007. She and her husband along with their two beautiful daughters live in Hahira.  They have two dogs(Murphy & Brinks) and five cats(Moo Moo, Richard, Ryder, Taco and Evie).  Brandi loves to teach her Kindergarten Sunday School at Northside Baptist Church and watching her daughters play volleyball, soccer, Archery and Skeet shooting.  She also likes camping or doing anything outdoors in her spare time.
    Years in Practice:
    Apr 20, 2007

  • Destiny Zehnal

    Destiny started with us August 2019 as a receptionist. She moved from New Mexico where she taught canine obedience classes before working as a Veterinary Nurse in an Emergency Hospital. She now lives in Valdosta with her husband, daughter and two dogs. 
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2019

  • Kelli Roberts

    Kelli joined our team January 2020 as a receptionist. She and her husband live in Hahira with their German Shephard, Bullet, and Pitbull, Lycoda. Kelli is a graduate of VSU where she received her bachelor's degree in Biology. She has grown up with a passion for animals and wishes to some day have a ranch with cattle, chickens and dogs. She loves chocolate, movies and being outdoors. 
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 14, 2020

  • Megan Watson

    Megan joined our team in January 2020 as one of our receptionists. Megan is a busy mom of six kids who enjoys coaching soccer and working at her church nursery in her spare time. She and her husband have 2 Golden Retrievers, Rigs and Mabelle and 2 cats, Curtis and Skalawag. Megan moved from Illinois and now lives in Hahira. . 
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 14, 2020

  • Melissa Oler

    Melissa started with us December 2019 as one of our Receptionists. She lives in Adel with her 2 children. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her daughter watching her compete in gymnastic meets and watching her son play soccer. She loves to make jewelry and working in her yards.  
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 14, 2020

  • Shelley Touchton

    Shelley started working with us in June 2020 as one of our Receptionists. Shelley lives in Valdosta with her husband and 2 dogs, Dart and Demi. She enjoys the mountains, cold weather and baking. Her passion has always been people and animals. Shelley hopes to one day own land where she can have more animals to love and care for. 
    Years in Practice:
    Nov 03, 2020

  • Kerri Lancaster

    Kerri started working with us August 2019 as our Pharmacy Tech. She resides in Valdosta with her husband, 2 of her 3 children and 2 Bull Mastiffs. Her oldest daughter is attending college in Montana. Her husband retired from over 21 years in the Air Force, and they have made their roots here in Georgia. 
    As a military spouse, living in many places, Kerri has collected a variety of specialties that bring special qualities to her employment here at Hahira Veterinary Clinic.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2019

  • Andrea Williams

    Andrea started working for us in August 2020 as our Medical Records Technician. She lives in Hahira with her Cocker Spaniel, Luna, her sister's cat, Ellie, and roommates Golden, Lily. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing outside with Luna, anything Disney related, and rooting for the Florida Gators. 
    Years in Practice:
    Oct 27, 2020

  • Jodee Tidwell

    Jodee has been a Vet Tech since 2012 and started with our team in August 2014. She is our Vet Tech supervisor and hopes one day to pursue her dream of getting a license to be a wild life rehabber and have a rehab center for students and people to learn about animals.  She lives here in Hahira with her German Shepard mix (Zephyr) and cat (Meow Meow Autumn Helga) which she has adopted through the years. She is very adventurous through her travels, loves going to the gym and spending time with friends. 

    Years in Practice:
    Oct 31, 2014

  • Ashlin Copeland

    Ashlin started working with us December 2013 as a Vet Tech. She started as a vet tech in 2006 and could not imagine doing anything else.As a young child she knew she would be working in the veterinarian field. One of her favorite jobs in the vet clinic is dental hygiene. She lives in Valdosta with her husband and 2 children. Ashlin has rescued and fostered many furbabies throughout her career and continue to do so when able. She hopes to one day provide hospice care for shelter pets.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2013

  • Taylor Evans

    Taylor joined our team in July 2018 as a Vet Tech. She is originally from Forest City, North Carolina. Taylor was in the Army between 2013 and 2017. She has always had a passion for helping animals and plans to go to school to become a certified Vet Tech. Taylor lives with her cat Perry and dogs Rambo and Sadie. In her spare time, Taylor loves reading, crafting, hunting, fishing and kayaking.
    Years in Practice:
    Sep 05, 2018

  • Lindsay Jones

    Lindsay started working with us April 2018 as a Vet Tech. She currently lives in Hahira with her daughter and Border Collie Mix(Asher). Lindsay has always had a passion for animals and loves being able to care for them! She would like to become certified to work with large animals as well. In her free time she loves to fish and hunt.
    Years in Practice:
    Jun 04, 2018

  • Haley Ashburn

    Haley joined our team in September 2016 working in the kennels and is now one of our Vet Techs. Haley lives in Lakeland where she graduated from Lanier County High School. She plans on attending college and becoming a veterinarian. She enjoys riding her horse, Grey Flannel), spending time with her Golden Retriever(Czar) and Main Coon Cat(Coon), hiking, traveling and modeling.

    Years in Practice:
    Apr 26, 2017

  • Jennifer Taylor

    Jennifer started as a tech with us February 2020. She is originally from North Carolina but moved here from Guam with her husband and their three dogs, Tank, Bullet, and Louie. Since being here she has added her cat, Bagheera and 17 chickens to their household. Jennifer has always loved animal and last year she started working in the veterinary field.  In her spare time, she likes fishing, hiking, planting and renovation their house. 
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 27, 2020

  • Meagan Smith

    Meagan joined our team in June 2020 as one of our Vet Techs after graduating from the Veterinary Technology Program at Southern Regional Technical College with an Associates in Applied Science. She was born and raised in Moultrie, GA. As a child she always had a love of animals and continues to have a passion of caring for them. She currently lives in Valdosta with her fur babies, Talley(Australian Shepherd), Bella (Pomeranian), Jolene (Dachshund), Forest Stump(Domestic Shorthair), Phoebe (New Zealand Kiko) and her 4 horses. In Meagan's free time, you can find her spending quality time with her family and friends, barrel racing with her newest addition of her herd, RS Breezen Ranger, or riding trails. 
    Years in Practice:
    Nov 03, 2020

  • Breanna Watson

    Bree started working with our team in August 2018 working in our kennels. She is the friendly face that your pets see every morning. Her dream is to become a veterinarian. She attends VSU for her Pre-Vet classes and will transfer out of state to complete her major. Bree lives in Hahira with her 2 dogs, Maverick & Kahlua. In her spare time she enjoys painting and photography.
    Years in Practice:
    Sep 05, 2018

  • Angel Parker Buehrer

    Angel joined our team October 2019 working in our kennels. She and her husband along with their 3 sons live in Quitman. They have 4 dogs, cats and many chickens. In her spare time she loves hiking and camping with her family.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2019

  • Sara Taylor

    Sara joined our team at then end of 2017 working in our kennels.  She attends Valdosta State where she is majoring in Biology. After graduating she plans on going to Veterinary School. Sara enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pets.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2017

  • Jenna Becton

    Jenna joined our team at the beginning of 2018 working in our kennels. She currently attending VSU studying Biology. Once she graduatees, she plans on going to Vet School to become a Veterinarian. She lives in Hahira with her 2 dogs, Arthur and Bear, and her cat, Meow Meow. 
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 23, 2018

  • Tillman Edmondson

    Tillman joined our team August 2018 working in our kennels. Tillman is the friendly face that all your pets see at the end of the day. He attends VSU where he is majoring in marketing. He enjoys hanging out with friend and family in his spare time.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2018