Emily Parsons, DVM
Dr. Emily Parsons came to Athens, Georgia, for veterinary school and fell in love with the city, deciding to make it her home (especially with the more agreeable weather compared to her home state of Wisconsin!)
A dedicated veterinarian, Dr. Emily is passionate about her profession and can’t imagine doing anything else with her life. Her expertise lies in soft tissue surgery, disease management, behavioral medicine, and nutritional consultation. Dr. Emily finds great joy in meeting new clients, forming connections, and ensuring the best health outcomes for her patients.
In her leisure time, Dr. Emily cherishes moments with her family, including her partner Charles and three stepchildren. Their shared activities include hiking with their four dogs in the Georgia Mountains, enjoying the local community pool, engaging in gardening, and lounging around playing board games.
Jacob Liu, DVM
Dr. Jacob Liu was born and raised right here in Athens, GA, attending the University of Georgia for both undergrad and vet school – Go Dawgs! He spent several years living and working as a general practice veterinarian in Chattanooga, TN, before becoming homesick and deciding to move back to his hometown. Here, he continued working in general practice and then transitioned to exclusively urgent care and emergency veterinary medicine in the last few years.
In his free time, he enjoys reading (especially histories), spending time with his partner Jessica, lounging around with his dogs Greta & Hans, and “nerding out” with his flashlight (remember, lumens aren’t everything!) and video game hobbies.
Lauren Warwick, DVM
Dr. Lauren Warwick moved to Athens, GA from Atlanta in 2016 to attend the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). She completed both her undergraduate and veterinary degrees at UGA. Like Dr. Jacob, she is a “Double Dawg” and loves representing her alma mater!
Dr. Lauren has known Dr. Emily and Dr. Jacob for almost 10 years. Prior to vet school she worked under their guidance as a veterinary assistant for several years and across multiple clinics in both general practice, surgery and emergency settings. She is thrilled to work alongside her former mentors as the first Associate Veterinarian at Oak Grove Animal Clinic!
Dr. Lauren has special interests in surgery, as well as internal medicine and neurology. She is excited to continue expanding her knowledge base in order to provide the best outcomes for her patients, who she loves like her own pets.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys traveling, hiking, working with different animal rescue organizations and spending time with her partner Wade, along with their 7 cats, and 2 dogs.
Jessica H.
Jessica comes to us with over twenty-eight years experience in veterinary medicine. She left the rolling hills of Pennsylvania in 1996 to become a true southern lady. With multiple veterinary and management certifications, she offers a diverse set of skills and knowledge to share with our team and our awesome clients. Jessica enjoys geriatric medicine and focusing on quality of life care. She loves being a liaison for her clients to offer education and compassion so that each family can make an informed decision together about their pet’s treatment plan. Jessica enjoys meeting new people and helping each family navigate their pet’s care with the help of their veterinarian. Jessica lives by one simple mantra: “I treat each pet as if they were my own.”
Jessica lives on a small homestead where she raises laying hens with the best tasting eggs around. She has over 150 chickens! She also has two of the cutest Katahdin sheep (Margo & Rita) and two Sulcata tortoises. Jessica is an official “Tester” for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and certifies teams throughout the area! Canine therapy work is a mission close to her heart. She also has several friendly felines at home, a talented German Shepherd/Malinois Mix, and grows one of the most beautiful gardens full of fresh fruits and vegetables you have ever seen!
Sam
Veterinary Assistant
Samantha was born and raised in Georgia. She spent most of her childhood and adolescence living in Lula, GA, a town with more cattle residents than humans! Sam graduated with her Bachelor’s in Animal Science from UGA in 2019. Sam says she’s always wanted a career working with non-human animals, and veterinary medicine happens to be what she loves the most.
She loves working in veterinary medicine because she can advocate for a better quality of life that all the animals she encounters deserve. Sam hopes to one day attend veterinary school so that she can dedicate her life to helping animals in need.
Sam says: “I feel proud that I can be a small part of the healthy growth and development of all the animals I get to work with. I feel even more fulfilled knowing I can work alongside veterinarians and other vet med workers with the same passion to help educate others on how to provide a high quality of life for our animal companions.”
Sam has 6 fur babies who have taught her love and patience and compassion. Making life better for them and for their non-human compatriots is her life’s goal.
In her free time, Sam enjoys working out, going on runs with her dogs, cooking new vegan meals with her partner Vincent, reading and binge-watching new TV shows.
Julie
Veterinary Assistant, Licensed Veterinary Technician Student
Julie is an LVT (veterinary nurse) student working as a veterinary assistant here at Oak Grove Animal Clinic! She is retired from the military where she served for 6 years. Julie is a mama to four sweet fur babies: two slobbering, shedding hound dogs, one crazy little weenie dog, and one sweet little black cat.
Julie says: “I started my career a few years ago in a general practice clinic, where I met Dr. Emily. I then left to pursue skills in critical care and emergency medicine at the University of Georgia. When I heard through the grapevine that Dr. Emily was opening the clinic, I reached out to her about a job opportunity and I was so thankful that she was able to bring me on.”
Julie has been an amazing asset to the team at Oak Grove. She is managing all of our inventory while helping with reception, surgery preparation and monitoring and helping every patient that comes in for an appointment feel at home. Julie is excited to continue on her career path toward her LVT license. She is Penn HIP certified and currently working on her RECOVER CPR certification. Julie is excited to continue to expand her knowledge base in the field of veterinary medicine and looks forward to continuing to grow with Oak Grove Animal Clinic!
Macy
Veterinary Assistant
Macy is currently a veterinary student at UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She was born in Ft. Campbell, KY and raised in the small town of Reidsville, GA. In 2022, she graduated with her Bachelor’s in Biology from ABAC in Tifton, GA.
Macy has always loved animals and has always had an interest in medicine. While in school, she worked at vet clinics as a vet assistant in order to broaden her knowledge and enhance her skills. This work also brought along a 3 week old puppy, Mabel, that Macy took in as her baby.
Macy spends most of her time with her husband, Gabe, and their fur-baby, Mabel. With activities including but not limited to going to the park, playing pickleball, and snuggling on the couch.
In just a short amount of time, Macy has fallen in love with Athens and the surrounding areas. She is hopeful to stay at Oak Grove and return as a DVM after she graduates in 2027.
Jessica, LVT
Jessica received her degree in veterinary technology from Athens Technical College. After over 10 years of working with the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, she decided to join Oak Grove Animal Clinic before it even existed! Believing in Dr. Jacob and Dr. Emily’s dreams, she used her vet tech skillset to help set up and organize the new hospital, and now keeps everyone and everything in its place!
Jessica loves helping her patients and truly wants to make a difference in their lives. She believes in exceptional patient care, and treating every pet (and pet parent!) with patience and kindness.
A born and raised Athenian, she can give you great advice on all things Athens, and always seems to know everyone!
Jessica and her husband are parents to 2 amazing human kiddos (who love to visit the clinic to help their mom- and get candy and snacks from Dr. Jacob!), 2 dogs and 1 cat.
Jessica and her family enjoy being active in their church, cheering on the kids while they play baseball and softball, and hanging out with neighbor friends.
Abby, LVT
Abby, a Rome, GA native, has always had a deep passion for animals. After graduating from Athens Technical College in 2022 with a degree in Veterinary Technology, she gained valuable experience working in the ICU department at the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital for three years. Eager to expand her career, Abby joined the Oak Grove team, where she continues to thrive in a field she’s been passionate about since childhood.
Outside of work, Abby enjoys spending time with her husband, Jose, and their three fur babies- Frankie, Suki, and Momo. Whether it’s curling up with a good book, watching true crime documentaries, or taking care of her plants, Abby cherishes the time spent at home with her family.
Claire
Veterinary Assistant, Licensed Veterinary Technician Student
Claire is a veterinary assistant that loves taking care of pet parents about as much as she does the pets they bring in to be looked after. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and compassion and making connections with every visitor!
Claire was born and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia and has always worked with animals in some capacity. Having already completed degrees in Medical Anthropology and Entomology at UGA, Claire is an avid and curious learner. She is very enthusiastic to be continuing her hands-on education in veterinary nursing at Oak Grove through their partnership with Penn Foster under the guidance of Dr. Emily and Dr. Jacob.
In her spare time Claire enjoys spending time with her partner, Bróne, at home with their two pomeranians and handful of cats. She enjoys adventuring out on road trips, stand up comedy, dancing, and playing games. “But lately”, she says, “I don’t find myself needing much more excitement or amusement with the fascinating field I have become so passionate about. I am so lucky for this fulfillment”.