about our veterinary practice Decatur, AL
Decatur Animal Care is proud to serve Decatur, AL and surrounding areas. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of veterinary medicine along with friendly, compassionate service.

We believe in treating every patient as if they were our own pet, and giving them the same loving attention and care. We are a group of highly trained, experienced animal lovers who are devoted to giving our patients the best care possible.

If you have any questions about how we can care for your pet, please don't hesitate to call us at (256) 340-9323. Thank you!

Kelly B. Griffith, DVM

Dr. Kelly B. Griffith is the sole owner of Decatur Animal Care. In January 2017, Dr Griffith acquired the practice (formerly known as “Dishman Animal Clinic”) after working closely with Dr. Michael Dishman for eighteen years as an Associate and Partner. Dr. Griffith is a Morgan County native. She grew up and currently resides in the Priceville area. As a young girl, it was always her dream to one day become a veterinarian so that she could not only help heal the animals that bring so much joy to her life, but to the lives of so many others in the community. Dr. Griffith graduated from Hartselle High School in 1990 and then began her college career at Calhoun Community College. She later graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Dairy Science from Auburn University in 1994, where she also went on to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. Today, Dr. Griffith serves as a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, and the North Alabama Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Griffith is an active member of West Hartselle Baptist Church, where she sings in the worship service praise team, and is a leader for Children’s Church. Dr. Griffith enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for veterinary medicine with the community. During her career, she has served as pet club sponsor at Priceville Elementary School and supported the Volunteer Center of Morgan County Summer Youth Program in giving youth an opportunity to do volunteer work at the clinic. In addition, Dr. Griffith frequently speaks at area schools about her career as a veterinarian and welcomes Hartselle High School Medical Academy students to shadow her in the clinic. Her and her husband, Patrick, Have two daughters, Emily Anne, and McKenna as well as a canine baby, two cats, and a flock of chickens. The clients enjoy purchasing her fresh, farm-raised eggs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, running outdoors, working out, and vegetable gardening.

Jessica K. Taylor, DVM

Dr. Jessica K. Taylor is a native of Priceville, Alabama. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2010, and then went on to Auburn University to fulfill her dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Dr. Taylor graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014, after which she returned home to start her veterinary career. From June 2014 to July 2015, she practiced emergency medicine at Veterinary Regional Referral Hospital, then joined the Decatur Animal Care family in July 2015 as an associate veterinarian. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association. During veterinary school, Dr. Taylor went on several veterinary mission trips, both locally and internationally, and she plans to continue to go on these trips when possible.

Dr. Taylor and her husband, Stephen, have been married since September 2014 and have two children, Gemma and Elliott. They also have one dog, Lucas, who is often seen around the clinic, and one cat, Nala, who Dr. Taylor adopted after performing a necessary hindlimb amputation. Dr. Taylor and her family are very active members at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Trinity, where she is involved with the praise team and Stephen is the Minister of Evangelism and Discipleship.

Dr. Taylor enjoys providing services such as veterinary ultrasonography, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. She hopes to continue learning as she practices veterinary medicine so that new services can be provided in the future at Decatur Animal Care.

Laura Early

LVT
Laura grew up in the Jacksonville, Alabama area. She moved to Decatur with her family several years ago for her husband’s job as a youth pastor at Central Park Baptist Church. Laura has been married to her husband, James, for 17 years. She has two children, Avery, who is 14 and Tai, who is 11. She also has 2 fur kids who are rescues. Stanley, a schnauzer mix and Sherbet, an orange tabby cat. Laura obtained her veterinary technician degree from Snead State community college in 2001. When she is not busy going to her children’s activities, she enjoys working puzzles and traveling.


Amber Mann

Veterinary Assistant
Amber is a certified veterinary assistant. She completed the Animal Behavior College Veterinary Assistant Program in January 2017. She started here as a veterinary assistant in April 2017. She has five dogs and four cats, including a one-eyed Shih Tzu and a blind Tabby. Her favorite part of the job is dental cleanings. She also loves a good kitten snuggle. In her free time, Amber enjoys crafting and spending a quiet night at home with her husband, Christopher.


Julie Brakeman

Office Manager
Julie lives in Hartselle with her husband, Joseph, and daughter Kailyn and two dogs, Evie and Jenger. She has been our office manager since 2013. Outside the clinic, she enjoys the outdoors, driving her Jeep and going to the beach as often as possible.


Ashley Reynolds

Receptionist
Ashley is a Decatur native that graduated from Austin high school. Ashley moved around for several years living in upper state New York, Georgia, and Colorado before moving back to her hometown of Decatur. She then went on to become a pharmacy technician and was nationally certified in 2017. Ashley spent five years with the Medicine Shoppe. Only for her love of animals and drive for a new adventure, she started working with us in September 2021. Ashley now resides in the Priceville area with her husband Brandon, daughter Addison, stepson Carter, and two sweet fur babies, Frago and Jasper. Ashley loves supporting her children in sports, going to baseball games, and reading.