Veterinarians are in short supply throughout Mississippi, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing a shortage of veterinary services in all 82 counties. Lauderdale County native Kaitlyn Knuth, however, is working to make sure Meridian’s pets don’t miss out on needed care.

After graduating in May from Mississippi State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, she returned to her hometown to work with animals in the community.

“Part of me really wanted to come back and serve the community that helped raise me and provides so much for me, especially when I was in school,” she said. “So it feels good to be back home.”

Knuth joined veterinarian Alison Moore at Meridian Animal Care Center and has gone straight to work seeing patients. The partnership, however, started long before college, Knuth said, when Moore allowed her to job shadow and later hired her to work as a veterinary assistant.

“I started shadowing Dr. Moore back in 2018, and then she hired me on as a vet assistant,” Knuth said. “She really just trained me and poured so much wealth and knowledge into my head, which helped me in vet school, honestly.

“Now that I’m back, it feels like a full circle moment because then I get to help other students coming in wanting to go to vet school and teach them the same way that she taught me,” Knuth added.

Growing up, Knuth said her family had a variety of pets including dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, chickens and other creatures, which helped her be comfortable around animals. A graduate of West Lauderdale High School, her original plan had been to pursue a medical career more focused on treating humans, but she said she was drawn to the veterinary field.

“This has always felt right, and everything has lined up perfectly when it comes to the whole vet school process, so I know it was meant to be,” she said.

One of Knuth’s favorite areas of practice is preventative medicine, which includes things like vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, wellness checkups and other measures to keep pets happy, healthy and protected from illnesses. Working with first time pet owners, she said, is a special treat as she gets to help them navigate the ups and downs of having a puppy, kitten or other pet.

Knuth said she also loves the cases that don’t have an immediately obvious solution and challenge her veterinary knowledge. Those cases, and the research and learning they require, are also a lot of fun, she said.

A side benefit of joining Moore’s practice has been that both veterinarians are able to take more time with their patients and families, Knuth said. Having more time to have a conversation and include families in their pet’s treatment means a lot, she said.

Meridian Animal Care Center is taking on new patients, Knuth said, and she looks forward to meeting some new furry friends.