I’m Dr. Jenni Godfrey, and I offer personalized, in-home veterinary care to cats, dogs, and other pets and their families throughout Franklin, Bryson City, Cherokee, Highlands and Cashiers. After 15 years in veterinary medicine, I’ve discovered that house-call practice allows me to provide the kind of care I’ve always wanted to offer: personalized and unhurried, with my sole focus on you and your pet.

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My Journey to Veterinary Medicine

Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, I always knew I wanted to work with animals. I graduated from University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007, where I developed a strong foundation in veterinary medicine. After returning to the States, I practiced in Alabama and Tennessee, gaining experience in everything from busy, corporate practice to rural, private practice, to high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics. Each setting taught me something valuable, but I kept searching for the right fit—a practice model that would allow me to truly connect with clients and their pets and take my time. The beauty and joy of driving through the mountains of Western North Carolina, combined with the ability to meet clients and their pets in the comfort of their own homes, have been the driving force behind my decision to provide in-home veterinary care. In general practice, I enjoyed managing chronic illnesses and caring for the unique needs of senior cats and dogs. In the rare instances I was afforded time to leave the clinic to perform in-home euthanasia services, I found this to be very rewarding, thanks to a peaceful and familiar setting for all involved.

Why House Calls Make a Difference

Over the years, I’ve found that my niche is in family-oriented small animal practice. House call veterinary care takes this approach to the next level. Instead of the typical 15-minute clinic appointment, I spend at least 30 minutes with each family in the comfort of their own home. This extra time means we can have real conversations about your pet’s health and prognosis, discuss concerns about your pet’s quality of life, and answer any questions you may have about the process of euthanasia.

Being able to provide this service in-home, free of unfamiliar noises and smells, and with no time pressure, has been very rewarding by providing a better experience for everyone. My experience and personality make me uniquely suited to assist in the most difficult decision a pet owner can make.

I’m passionate about seeing pet parents through a challenging and often difficult time. Whether this involves assessing a pet’s quality of life and need for further care, helping families navigate chronic illness management, or providing compassionate guidance during end-of-life decisions, I am here to provide assistance and care. My interests include palliative care, nutrition counseling, pain management, and anxiety and behavior support. While my service is primarily peaceful euthanasia, I also offer quality of life examinations and consultations, and palliative care treatment options. I am happy to work with your regular veterinarian to provide the best possible healthcare for your senior pet.

Life in Western North Carolina

My husband Ryland and I fell in love with Western North Carolina long before we made it our home. We met while kayaking in Birmingham and found ourselves drawn to the rivers and mountains here again and again. When the opportunity arose to bring house call veterinary care to this community, it felt like the perfect combination of our love for this region and my professional goals.

These days, when I’m not making house calls, you’ll find us hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or enjoying the outdoors with our little crew: two dogs—Norris, a Chorkie, and Clark, an Aussiedoodle, and four cats (Noodle, Nigel, Boris, and Mr. Handsome). Living with this many animals gives me daily insight into the joys and challenges of pet parenthood, and I bring that understanding to every appointment.

What to Expect from Your House Call

During our appointments, I focus on providing a gentle physical examination in a low-stress environment and collaborative decision-making with pet parents. House calls eliminate the stress of car rides and waiting rooms for your pet, as well as the stress and anxiety of crowded lobbies, other pets, and clinic activity. This allows me to see your pet in their home environment and better assess the quality of life and various options for palliative care, if appropriate. This often reveals important information that might not surface during a traditional clinic visit. If euthanasia is needed, I will guide you step by step through the process and answer any questions you may have along the way.

For cases requiring specialized care or advanced diagnostics, I work closely with local veterinary clinics and specialists to ensure your pet receives comprehensive treatment.

Let’s Work Together for Your Pet

I’m here to help with your pet’s end-of-life needs and assist you in every step of the process. Whether you’re seeking peaceful, in-home euthanasia, palliative care for an ailing pet, or navigating difficult end-of-life decisions, I’m here to provide compassionate, expert veterinary care in the comfort of your home.

Welcome to the Heal House Call Veterinarian family. I look forward to meeting you and your pets soon.