The staff at Callahan Drive Animal Hospital is committed to maintaining a high level of customer care. In a world of automated messages and self check outs, we value face to face communication and a relaxed, friendly environment. Our staff is like a family here, and we want you to be part of our family.
Dr. James Hilla
Jamie spent his youth in Clifton, New Jersey and graduated from Montclair State University in 1989. After graduation, he applied to many veter
inary colleges and chose the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He graduated from UTCVM with his doctorate in 1994. Doc's passion has always been cats and dogs although he has always had a special interest and has extensive knowledge in exotic animals. Dr. Hilla is also a herpetologist and has spent many years breeding and raising reptiles. He is approachable, easy to understand and takes great pride in client education. When he is not taking care of our fur babies, he enjoys golf, cooking and most outdoor activities.
Gwen Graning
Born and raised in Knoxville, she has worked for Veterinarians from the time she was 15 years old. Before graduating from Lincoln Memorial University, she worked for several local veterinarians learning all aspects of a veterinary hospital. One of her jobs included the U.T. College of Veterinary Medicine in the Department of Environmental Practice (exotic medicine). Formerly a licensed tech, now her focus as hospital manager is to treat team members and clients the way Dr. Hilla and her always wanted to be treated themselves. Therefore, her main objective is to develop a staff that creates a warm, friendly and compassionate atmosphere where the pet always comes first. On her off time, Gwen spends time at her farm with her goats, chickens and horses. She also plays golf, camps and trail rides with a little dressage thrown in.
Kristin Nipper
Our lead technician. You can find Kristin's smiling face around the entire hospital. Kristin has been in the veterinary field since 2012 moving up from a kennel technician to receptionist, to a great veterinary technician. She has been with us since August 2018, helping take care of all our patients and becoming our in house IT person. Over the years her knowledge has grown tremendously. She genuinely loves all your babies like her own! Kristin has 3 children, 2 cats, and 2 dogs (for now). When she isn't at work, she's at home spending time with her family.