Rick Kirby, DVM
Even though Dr. Kirby was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, he feels like a native of Brandon, Mississippi. He made his way here through Nashville, Tennessee in the 8th grade where the love of all things Bulldog started. After graduating from Brandon High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Animal Care Specialist and trained at Walter Reed in Washington D.C. After traveling much of the world while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, he made his way home to Brandon as soon as he was honorably discharged.
Dr. Kirby worked his way through Hinds Community College and was accepted into the Veterinary Program at Mississippi State University. While at MSU he announced the arrival of Cody Kirby. During his senior year, one of his many externships was at Marine World in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he worked with the dolphins. He also did externships in reptile and exotics medicine, where he developed his interests in herpetology and other unusual pets. During his graduation speech as president of the class, he announced he was expecting his second son, Clint.
After graduation, he started work around the Brandon area until starting his own Hometown Veterinary Services in an ambulance where he made house calls. This led him to meet one of his most well-known clients, Willie Morris. Their relationship grew as Willie acquired more cats, and Dr. Kirby was even honored with being mentioned in his book My Cat Skip Magee. When filming started in the Jackson area for the movie My Dog Skip, there was not a question as to who would be the vet on the set.
Work at the Animal Emergency Clinic was a ten-year employment that brought many friends and loads of funny stories still told. The building on 471 was a lifelong dream that started in June of 1997. There his loyal client base began to grow into what it is today. Dr. Kirby’s home family increased as well. Katie and Cameron brought their own joy to clients who remember both of them rolling around the clinic in their strollers developing their own love of the clinic family. Now married to Pamela, he has added a stepdaughter Katie Mae. The family continues to grow, but only in animal form.
The years have brought many accolades, but none as special as being voted Best Vet by his clients in the Best of the Best for Rankin County last year. He continues to be humbled by the support he is shown by the community as he starts a new chapter with Hometown Veterinary Hospital in its new location with his new partner, Dr. Daniel Plunkett.
Other accolades:
1981-1986: United States Army Commendation Medal
1985: Outstanding Animal Care Technician, Kadena, Japan
1987: Phi Theta Kappa, Hinds Jr. College, Raymond, Mississippi
1993: President of Graduating Class, MSU College of Veterinary Medicine
2007: Canine Reproduction Medicine Top Veterinarians
2013: Rankin County News Best Veterinarian
2012-2017: Jackson Free Press Top Veterinarians
2016: Hometown Rankins Best Veterinarian