Although she had always been fascinated with science and medicine, Dr. Hannah Burnett was ultimately inspired to take the leap into veterinary care by her childhood cat, Carla. When Carla fell ill and needed medical attention, Dr. Burnett took her to a veterinarian—little did she know that she herself would become hooked! Dr. Burnett hasn’t looked back since; she’s the proud owner and chief veterinarian here at Hometown Veterinary Clinic.

Dr. Burnett grew up right here in Jacksonville and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville before earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Dr. Burnett has extensive training in shelter medicine, and was able to put her skills to work to help hundreds of animals at various shelters throughout Mississippi, Illinois and South Carolina. Her passion for shelter medicine remains, and she will continue to provide her services from here on out. After helping pets at a practice in Springfield, Dr. Burnett was thrilled to purchase Hometown Veterinary Clinic in April of 2017—she’s been tending to the area’s pets and animal parents here ever since.

As a veterinarian, Dr. Burnett is particularly fond of feline medicine and also remains passionate about creating a low-stress environment in the clinic in order to make office visits easier for everyone. She and all of her staff are trained in fear free and low stress handling techniques. Their brand new clinic was created from a local historic building with this idea in mind and provides a calm, homelike atmosphere to ease patient (and owner!) stress. Many clients who have previously had very stressed and sometimes aggressive pets at vet clinics have been very pleased to find that calm interactions are possible with patience, the appropriate handling techniques, atmosphere and lots of treats!

In October 2019, Hometown Veterinary Clinic moved to a new facility at 605 W. State St. The new clinic has separate dog and cat waiting and exam rooms for less stressful interactions between animals, as well as comfortable furnishings like home, no cold stainless exam tables and calming “fear free” approved colors. A comfort room in the back provides a comfortable, home-like atmosphere to ease fear and help make patients and their families more comfortable during one of the hardest times in their lives.

Dr. Burnett is most passionate about soft-tissue surgery, dentistry, and pain management. Dr. Burnett continues to expand her skills and knowledge in order to continue to remain as current and up to date as possible and provide Jacksonville with the highest level of patient care. Dr. Burnett’s surgeries always receive the highest level of pain management possible and small incisions, for the easiest and least painful recoveries. Most of all, Dr. Burnett loves interacting one-on-one with the pet owners (and their fur babies) of her hometown on a daily basis!

Aside from her interests in veterinary medicine, Dr. Burnett likes practicing her photography skills, playing piano, working on renovation projects in her 1900s-era home, camping, traveling (her favorite trips so far have been to Maui and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains!), and spending quality time with her family. She has a young son who you may see shadowing Dr. Burnett in the clinic after school, a pair of lovable Chihuahuas, Henle and Mosby, and 2 mischievous kittens Drake and Drogo. She also has four rescue clinic cats who spend their days here at the hospital: Scarlett, whose favorite pastime is causing trouble behind the scenes and charming clients with her one-eyed cuteness; Luna, who enjoys sitting on the front-desk counter and obstructing clients who are trying to check out; Juliette, who mostly prefers to stay out of the limelight, and Jasper, their newest orange boy with the best personality and desire to be in the middle of everything. Don’t be surprised if you find him visiting you in the exam room!