Knox County Veterinary Services

Our commitment to the people of Knox County, as well as the surrounding areas, will be to provide comprehensive veterinary services that will promote happy, healthy, and productive lives for them and their animals.

We strive to get to know our pet owners and farm producers on a personal level to better understand and meet their needs.  We invite you to visit our website as well as our office on High Street in Barbourville and let us show you how we care for you and your pet.

Founded in 1996 by Dr. Mark S. Smith and Dr. Tammy Thomason-Smith, Knox County Veterinary Services, Inc. is dedicated to providing the highest quality veterinary medicine and surgery to pets and farm animals.
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  • M,T,W,F: 9:00 - 5:00
  • Thursday & Saturday by appointment only
  • Sun: Closed
  • After Hours ER: 344-6914

  • Dr. Mark S. Smith

    Dr. Mark S. Smith, a native of Knox County Kentucky, is the son of the late Roy S. and Merle Smith of Gray Kentucky.  He is the youngest of their five children.  He attended the Knox County school system, graduating from Knox Central High School in 1982.  His college career began at the University of Kentucky where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science in 1986.  Dr. Smith then attended Tuskegee University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1991.

    Dr. Smith’s lifelong ambition was to be a veterinarian.  His passions include his two sons Matthew and Aaron, raising his own American Quarter Horses, and watching the University of Kentucky football and basketball teams.

    Dr. Smith began his veterinary career practicing in Mt. Washington Kentucky, later moving to Louisville.  Finally returning home, Dr. Smith opened his own practice providing Knox County and surrounding areas with a veterinary hospital.

    Dr. Smith served as the President of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association for the 2013-2014 term.  This organization represents over 1000 veterinarians throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He currently serves on the Animal Control Advisory Board for the Commonwealth of KY, and Equine Advisory Committee for Kentucky Farm Bureau.
    Years in Practice:
    Apr 05, 1991
    Education:
    University of Kentucky, Tuskegee University

  • Dr. Tammy Thomason-Smith

    Dr. Tammy Thomason-Smith is a Louisville native.  She is the youngest of three children to the late Richard and Roxana Thomason.  After graduating from Iroquois High School in 1986, she attended Western Kentucky University on a music scholarship for her undergraduate work.  She then entered Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1993.

    Following graduation, Dr. Thomason-Smith returned to Louisville to begin her career in companion animal medicine.  In 1996 she and Dr. Mark S. Smith married and moved to Barbourville where they jointly started Knox County Veterinary Services.

    Today they share a home with a menagerie of 4-legged friends.  She is also active in the community, participating in several state and local organizations including serving on the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Board.
    Years in Practice:
    Apr 05, 1993
    Education:
    Western Kentucky University, Auburn University
    Interests:
    internal medicine, long term pet care

  • Jennifer Hensley

    Jennifer Hensley was born and raised in Harlan Kentucky.  After graduating high school, she attended Southeast Community & Technical College to receive an associate in science degree.  She then attended Lincoln Memorial University to earn an associate degree in Veterinary Technology.  Next she completed a 6 week internship at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.  She is a licensed veterinary technician with many years of experience.  She began working at Knox County Veterinary Services in July 2013 and has a passion for caring for animals.   She currently lives in Corbin with her husband Lane, young son and their fur babies: Tippi, Bowser, Yoshi, Jazzi, McButters, Nugget, and Prudance.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2010
    Education:
    Lincoln Memorial University
    Interests:
    veterinary technology

  • Makayla Walters

    Makayla Walters began her career at our clinic in December 2020.  She is a graduate of Lynn Camp High School and resides here in Knox County with her husband, baby boy, and their fur babies.  She has always been a big animal lover and was known as 'the crazy cat lady' growing up.  She is now working what she calls her dream job, getting to help care for animals of all kinds.  
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2020
  • Taylor Cox

    Taylor Gregory

    Taylor Gregory graduated from Bell County High School in 2019.  She currently attends Lincoln Memorial University where she is working hard to obtain her bachelors degree in Veterinary Health Sciences.  Applying to veterinary school in the fall of 2022, Taylor plans to continue her education and live out her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian.  She currently resides in Bell County with fur babies.  She plans on returning back to the Appalachian area once she completes vet school.
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2021

  • Jen Chasteen

    Jen Chasteen is born and raised in the hills of Harlan, KY.  After high school she attended Southeast Community & Technical College then onward to earn her associate degree in Veterinary Technology at Lincoln Memorial University.  She also completed an internship at the University of Tennessee.  She has since been using these skills and her love of animals to 'rock the world of veterinary medicine' :)
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2003
    Education:
    Lincoln Memorial University

  • Dr. Josh Houston

    Dr. Joshua Houston was born and raised in London, KY.  He is the oldest of 2 children to Dallas and Nettie Houston.  Dr. Houston graduated from North Laurel High School in 2015 and began his college career at Lincoln Memorial University where he studied Veterinary Health Sciences for 3 years.  He was then accepted into LMU's College of Veterinary Medicine where he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2022.  During his tenure at LMU, Dr. Houston ws involved in multiple leadership roles including holding the position of Student Body President.
    Upon graduating veterinary school, Dr. Houston accepted a position with the clinic that he grew up in.  Knox County Veterinary Services was the 1st clinic in which Dr. Houston had worked back before his college career began.  He is excited to start providing care for your animals and come back to the area that he calls home.
    In his spare time, Dr. Houston enjoys gardening, helping out around the farm, and completing restoration projections.  Dr. Houston has also enjoyed volunteering in his community, being a volunteer fireman previously and he looks forward to finding opportunities to volunteer in his new role as a veterinarian.
    Years in Practice:
    Jul 05, 2022
    Education:
    Lincoln Memorial University

  • Angie Skidmore

    Angie Hensley Skidmore started working with us in November of 2022.  She is originally from the Midwest and moved to Kentucky shortly after graduating high school, residing in Bell County with her family.  She lived in the Bell Co. area for many years where she started a family of her own.  She attended cosmetology school and worked as a beautician for over 10 years before she briefly moved back to the Midwest working as an office assistant for a small trucking company. 
    Angie has always been a people person and has a love for all animals.  She has the willingness to help in any way she can and her knowledge and skills have helped her fit in well in her position at our clinic.
    Years in Practice:
    Feb 26, 2023