After more than 40 years of taking care of families’ beloved pets, veterinarian Thomas Watts is retiring. He is retiring to spend more time with his wife, Jenny, and his grandchildren. But those are not the only reasons.
“Jenny and I are anxious to see how God wants to use us in the next phase of our lives,” Watts said.
He graduated from veterinary school in May of 1980, and he opened his practice in May of 1981. At first, his wife was his assistant and secretary and handled everything. Eventually she received her teaching degree and worked as a teacher.
Watts said he has been praying about retiring for a while and felt like the time was right when Dr. Rachel Forbes approached him about purchasing the practice.
Looking back over his years of service, he said there was not enough time to explain all the changes in medicines he has witnessed. One thing, he admits, though is veterinary medicine has gotten more specialized. When he started out, he would see guinea pigs and large farm animals in addition to dogs and cats.
“That is what I was trained to do,” Watts said sitting in his clinic Monday.
Forbes graduated from Mississippi State University in 2011 and specializes in small animals. The Dexter resident said she has always loved animals, and she wanted to be a voice for those who could not help themselves. She has worked in several locations before settling down in Columbia.
“People love their animals just like I love mine,” Forbes said.
Watts said he felt like Forbes was a good candidate because of her experience. Forbes is also well versed in the newest technology and procedures. They have the same philosophy when it comes to the practice, Forbes said.
Forbes did her internship at Watts Animal Clinic. She became friends with a former technician at the clinic, so she kept in touch with the clinic.
In his many years of practice, Watts’ favorite areas were internal medicine and surgery.
The 67-year-old is father to two children, Thomas Watts IV and Abby Watts Bauer, and has four grandchildren. A lifelong resident of Columbia, his great grandfather came to Columbia in the late 1800s and established the Watts Company.
“This is my hometown,” Watts said.
He said he was fortunate because when he was a sophomore in high school, he knew wanted to be a veterinarian and was able to do it. A lot of people do not get a chance to do their life dream, but he was able to.
“Jenny and I are very grateful for our clients. They have been great. We have some who have been with us since Day 1. If it hadn’t been for them, it would not be as much fun,” Watts said.
Forbes said there will probably be some cosmetic changes, but for the most part, everything will stay the same. She said currently she and her husband are working on little projects for the clinic on the weekends.
Overall, her plans are to keep the practice as is. One thing she is contemplating is possibly doing something to allow for more boardings. She has not figured out yet the best way to handle that part.
Eventually there will be a name change, but she is still trying to decide what the name will be. For now it will remain Watts Animal Clinic.
Watts will continue to work for the time being but mostly part time.
