Dr. Schmitz

Owner - Chief of Veterinary Staff

Dr. Schmitz was originally born in Oceanside, CA but was in a military family, so they moved around quite frequently, including Japan and North Carolina, to name a few. Ultimately her family found their way to Columbus, OH, to settle down and call home. Dr. Schmitz has always loved animals from a young age, be it family pets, stuffed animals she cared for, or ponies at parties. This led her to The Ohio State University, where she attended her undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences and then her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. While obtaining her doctorate from The Ohio State University, she graduated in the top twenty-five percent of her class. In addition, she received awards in Ophthalmology, Anesthesia, and Community Practice while obtaining her DVM.

She began her career at a private practice in Columbus, OH. She always loved the ocean and warmer weather, so in 2018 she decided to move to the south with her family. She led the team at Foxbank Veterinary Hospital in Charleston. She was named Best Veterinarian in Berkeley County and led the hospital to be recognized as the Best Veterinary Hospital in Berkeley County. She has loved getting to know the people, their fur babies, the community, and the culture Charleston has to offer. Most recently she started our sister hospital Augusta Road Animal Hospital here in Greenville.

She's excited to continue this high level of medical care and superior client experience to the Simpsonville/Five Forks area. While she may not be a native to South Carolina, it has spoken to her heart, and she is now happy to call it home. In her spare time, you can find her spending time with her family, including her husband Josh (her high school sweetheart), their three daughters, and fur baby Clover (Bernese Mountain dog mix). If she's not at the hospital or at home, you can probably find her at their home away from home, Disney World. She cannot wait to meet every one of you and your sweet furry family members. She will ensure they are getting the highest level of care they deserve by not just being their veterinarian but being part of the Five Forks family!

Dr. Jones

Veterinarian

Dr. Jones is originally from Chicago, IL, and obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She worked as a dietitian before pursuing veterinary medicine. Jessica attends Mississippi State University for veterinary school and will graduate in May 2023.

She has been very involved in the local transport program, Homeward Bound Project of Mississippi, to address the pet population challenges in the south. Her favorite part of veterinary medicine is the opportunity to promote the human-animal bond by providing optimal care to furry family members and building relationships with their owners.

When not working, she loves anything outdoors, especially long-distance running. Jessica and her husband, Justin, have a beautiful daughter and two dogs that make their family full of love and adventure!

Dr. Palmer

Veterinarian

Dr. Palmer was born and raised in Los Angeles, Ca. She had a profound love for animals from a young age and always knew she would end up in a career that would allow her to be around them every day.

Dr. Palmer received her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Long Beach State University and completed her veterinary degree at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Throughout her time at University, she completed several externships in the in Carolina’s which led to her decision to eventually call South Carolina home. After graduating from veterinary school in 2018, Dr. Palmer began her veterinary career working in shelter medicine. During this time, she fell in love with being able to stand for those with no voice and will continue to give her time to help animals in need of care.

In her time off, Dr. Palmer spends time with her husband William and their two dogs Hank and Millie. She embraces any opportunity to travel and hopes to visit as many countries as she can. She is excited for this next chapter in her veterinary career and is greatly looking forward joining the Five Forks family.

Josh Schmitz

Hospital Director

Josh is originally from Ohio and started his professional journey in the business and education sectors. He earned his MBA with a Human Resources specialization and a Masters's Degree in Adult Education & Training. Before transitioning to the veterinary field, he worked forming partnerships in the educational world for businesses to allow their employees to return to school and obtain their master's and doctoral degrees in Social Work and Nursing.

While in Ohio, he began to do some consulting work for the hospital where his wife was a veterinarian. Eventually, this led him to join the practice full time and manage the hospital for several years before moving south. It was during this time he found his true passion and calling leading in the veterinary field. He recently oversaw four successful hospitals in the Charleston area, with two receiving top honors as Best Veterinary Hospital in Berkeley County and Best Veterinary Hospital in Summerville. He is excited to bring this same high level of care and superior client experience to Simpsonville's fur babies and their families.

The Schmitz family is excited about their new journey in Simpsonville. You can find them enjoying time at home with their three girls and their Bernese Mountain dog mix Clover. In their free time, they enjoy hanging by the pool, cheering on their teams in college and pro football, and visiting their home away from home Disney World.

They cannot wait to welcome you and your fur babies to the Five Forks family!

Natalie

Practice Manager

From a young age, Natalie had known she wanted to work with animals, growing up in Wisconsin and participating in a 4-H club, training and showing her dog in local shows and her county fair, and volunteering at her local humane society. Natalie’s family had every pet, from dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, chickens, and horses (and the occasional stray bunny or duck if she and her five younger siblings could convince their mom to keep it).

Natalie and her significant other, KJ, moved to Asheville from South West Florida 3 years ago. After discovering and falling in love with Greenville, they made the move over a year ago. Together they love living in Greenville and exploring all the parks, dog-friendly restaurants, and hangouts with their two adopted dogs, Ashe, a pit-bull mix, and Nova, a great-dane/lab mix. They also love the transition to the veterinary field from a career in real estate.

Natalie knows how important outstanding client care is; she intends to provide you with the highest level of care, service, and knowledge the minute you call in or walk through our doors. She commits herself to always learning something new and intends to become a veterinary technician to increase her knowledge. She is super excited to meet and serve you and your furry loved ones.

Kathe

Client Service Coordinator

Kathe joined Five Forks Animal Hospital in 2022 after working in customer service for years. Even though her educational background wasn’t in the veterinary field, she hopes to further her education and pursue becoming a licensed veterinary technician. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, hanging out with friends and family, and playing with her four-year-old Golden Retriever, Gus. Kathe is so excited to meet you and your furry loved ones!

Morgan

Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician

Morgan joined Five Forks Animal Hospital in September 2022. She graduated from Tricounty Technical college in 2020 with a degree in Veterinary Technolgy. She has been a licensed tech for two years but has been in the field for 5. She has always been a huge advocate for animals from working with local shelters, rescues, and animals hospitals. Her few hobbies include hiking with her dogs, kayaking, gardening, and tending to her many aquatic animals. She has an axolotl named Luci and several fish. Two cats, Draco and Neville, and a goofy pit bull named Barley. Excited to meet all the fur babies and assist with all medical and cuddles needed!

Robbie

Veterinary Technician

Robbie joined Five Forks Animal Hospital in October of 2022. She has been in the veterinary practice field since she graduated high school in 2016. Since before she could walk, Robbie has had a special bond with all animals. She loves them all equally, from fur, feathers, and even scales. Robbie was the child that would bring home stray kittens, dogs, or even snakes that she would find outside while playing. Robbie has two fur children, one named Tucker, a Chihuahua mix she rescued, and Wetzel, a German Shorthaired Pointer. She likes to ride horses, spend time at the lake in the summer, and hang out with friends and family! She is looking forward to giving the love and care your animal deserves and needs.

Abbey

Veterinary Assistant

Abbey joined Five Forks Animal Hospital in November of 2022, although she has worked in the veterinary field since high school. Her strong background in preventative medicine has left her passionate about keeping all her patients healthy and up to date. Abbey is currently enrolled in the Veterinary Technology Program at Tri-County Technical College. She is interested in nutrition and physical rehabilitation and hopes to study these further after she receives her license. She moved to Five Forks from New York in 2018 and has loved the Upstate area ever since. When Abbey isn’t at work or studying for school, she enjoys rooting for the New York Yankees and spending time with her golden retriever, Mason. Abbey can’t wait to meet all the new patients at Five Forks Animal Hospital!