Meet Our Veterinary Team

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Decatur Veterinary Clinic. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Get to know our team

We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.

Veterinarians

Dr. Harrison
Dr. Jeffrey Harrison
DVM

I am a Decatur native and a 5th generation Wise County resident. After graduating from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Studies, I continued My studies at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1999. Upon completion of vet school, I moved back to Decatur and began work at Decatur Veterinary Clinic. Because I loved the excitement and variety of animals I treated there, I became an owner of the clinic in 2004. In the last few years, my passion has been rewarded numerous times by the community selecting me as Wise County Messenger’s “Best Veterinarian in Wise County”! My loving wife of 24 years, Holly, is an elementary PE teacher for Decatur ISD. Together, we have four wonderful children with whom we enjoy various outdoor activities: boating, hiking, water rafting, and zip-lining, just to name a few. Our family also enjoys worshiping and serving at the First Baptist Church of Decatur.

Dr. Smith
Dr. Lauren Smith
DVM

Born and raised in eastern Kentucky. From an early age, I knew I had a calling to be in veterinary medicine. I went straight to undergrad at Eastern Kentucky University. I received bachelor’s degrees in Biology and chemistry and an associate degree in agriculture there. My heart had always been set on going to Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, and there, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. I then wanted to go somewhere with endless opportunities and various livestock and animals. I visited Decatur, TX, 2014 and immediately knew this was home. I began working at DVC shortly after moving here and, in 2021, became co-owner of DVC with Dr. Jeffery Harrison. I have been married to my fantastic husband for two years now. We have two daughters, three dogs, four hermit crabs, and 1 Bearded Dragon Lizard. We love camping and hiking as a family, vacationing at the beach, or relaxing at home. I enjoy reading, creating jewelry, making wreaths, fiber art, and anything creative in my free time. I am truly blessed beyond belief to have found my calling and to be in such a wonderful place.
I look forward to meeting you and treating your animals as my own.

Kendal
Dr. Kendal Smith

DVM, cIVCA, cVMA

Hello! My name is Dr. Kendal Smith, DVM, cIVCA, cVMA, and I am a 2018 Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine graduate. I was raised on a dairy farm in central Virginia. I spent most of my time there immersed in the cattle and general agriculture industries, raising my beef cattle and hunting, shooting, training dogs, and riding horses. I firmly focused on large animal medicine in veterinary school and was blessed to extern throughout the U.S. and Australia. I have spent the last five years in Nebraska doing mixed rural animal medicine and obtaining certification in animal chiropractic and large animal acupuncture with a heavy focus on Equine Chiropractic and Acupuncture. I have two dogs, two cats, and four horses, and in my free time, I enjoy raising and training horses, team roping, sporting clays, and visiting my family in Virginia. I moved to Texas this spring because I loved the culture, friendliness, food, and warmer climate (it gets VERY COLD in Nebraska)! I love working at Decatur Veterinary Clinic because the staff and clients are absolutely fantastic, and I get to practice small and large animal medicine!

Our Staff

Jessica
Jessica Yard
Practice Manager and Veterinary Technician

Hi! I’m Jessica! I was born and raised in North Georgia (GO DAWGS!) and relocated to Decatur, TX, with my family in 2010. I have been married to my husband since 2017, and together, we have one amazing daughter. We have horses, chickens, painted desert sheep, three dogs, and one cat. I enjoy making memories outdoors with my family: hiking, adventuring/exploring, camping, horseback riding. I love doing yoga, riding motorcycles, making macrame, or reading in my spare time.

Mariah
Mariah Mears
CSR

Hello! My name is Mariah! I was born and raised in a rural town called Paradise, Texas. I married my loving husband in October of 2022. Together, we have six dogs, two horses, and a fish. As you can imagine, we stay pretty busy with our animals! I do competition barrel racing and enjoy giving horse lessons to others so they, too, can experience the love and care of horses. In addition to my equine activities, I genuinely enjoy ending my day unwinding with a good book.

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Kristy Shields
CSR

My name is Kristy, and I am originally from Watauga, TX, and have been in Decatur, TX, for 23 years. I have three amazing kids and one grandson that I adore. I love to go on adventures with the love of my life. My favorite things to do are crafting, hiking, fly fishing, and gardening (I love all flowers!). I have a pet fish named Wichita and a horse named Cinnamon. If I could have my dream animal, it would be a highland cow!

Shaylee
Shaylee Galvan
Veterinary Technician

I’m Shaylee! I have been at the Decatur Veterinary Clinic for two years. My hometown is Slidell, Texas. I attended Slidell School from Pre-K to 12th grade, graduating in 2020. I have wanted to become a veterinary technician since I was a teenager. Aside from working, I like to be around family, friends, my significant other, and my dog spice in my free time! My hobbies are painting and drawing.

Graicie
Graicie Bouchard
Veterinary Technician

Hello! My name is Graicie, also known as Greasy Dan. I was born and raised in Azle, TX, and I have been a part of Decatur Veterinary Clinic going on six years now. I plan on attending Texas A&M University to pursue my dream of becoming a mixed animal veterinarian. I also own and operate my own cattle A.I. business! In my free time, I like to spend time with the family, work cattle at our ranch, go out roping/riding, and many more adventurous activities! You could say I keep things interesting; my life is hectic sometimes.

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Ben Childers
Large Animal Veterinary Technician

Howdy Howdy! They call me Ben. Texas was born and bred with the handsomest Ausky, Mr. Kudzu. I love a good adrenaline rush. I have done it all, from bull riding to skydiving. Also, I just started going to school again to pursue a DVM in zoo medicine!

Samantha
Samantha Perryman
Veterinary Technician

Hello! My name is Samantha; most people call me Sammy. I am originally from south Texas but now call Alvord home. I graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s in animal science and have been in the veterinary field for six years. Some of my favorite things are spending time with my two kids, reading, eating Mexican food, and traveling.

Alyssa
Alyssa Kikalo
Veterinary Technician

Hey! My name is Alyssa. I was born and raised in southern California but recently moved to Texas with my family. I have been fortunate enough to work in vet med since I was 16, and this year marks 11 years in the field! I live locally with a crazy great dane named Indie and a paint warmblood named Cherokee! Outside of work, I enjoy photography, metalsmithing, and dancing!

Krabby
Krabby
Feline Clinic Supervisor

I was originally an outside feral cat that stumbled upon the clinic. I was not very friendly when we all first met. But the sweet staff worked with me over the years, and we all get along excellent now! I enjoy going outside to check on the large animals and then lounging in the barn or coming inside to greet clients and help supervise our lovely CSR now. My favorite snack here is Cheeto Puffs!

Jasper
Jasper
Clinic couch potato

I am the clinic Couch potato! Before I found my forever home here, I was a retired track dog. Since finding my perfect home, I now enjoy going outside and Free-running like a maniac with all my friends and coming back inside for long naps and lots of love! My favorite snack here is Peanut Butter!

Kevin
Kevin
Feline Clinic Clown

My favorite thing to do is lounge around the clinic each day. However, I am very active and enjoy roughhousing and playing with the employees here daily! I love to climb on things around the facility and visit all of the patients. I do not want to spend time outside as I am perfectly happy in the climate-controlled building and getting lots of attention daily! My favorite snack is Temptations Treats!