Meet Dr. Jessica L. Larson, B.S., DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)

I worked in private clinical practice for many years, including home hospice and euthanasia. I then moved into an industry position as a Veterinary Medical Liaison for an innovative pet therapeutics company for several years. I was most recently with a national mobile specialty company serving the metropolitan Franklin area. In 2023, I am focusing on bringing a new veterinary service option to Franklin!

I graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine with honors. I then completed a rotating small animal internship at Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Southfield, Michigan (now Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners) and a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I am board-certified through the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. I worked in private clinical practice for many years, including home hospice and euthanasia, and then moved into an industry position as a Veterinary Medical Liaison for an innovative pet therapeutics company for several years. I was most recently with a national mobile specialty company serving the metropolitan Franklin area. In 2023, I am focusing on bringing a new veterinary service option to Franklin!

That’s the professional stuff, which is important, but I’d like to make things a little more relatable. I was one of those kids who always wanted to be a vet and read all the James Herriott books several times. My parents indulged me; we had several various pets, and they organized many animal-related experiences. Then, I struggled with acceptance to veterinary school – I applied five times to multiple schools. I was offered a seat at a Caribbean startup school and then transferred to the University of Tennessee after year 1, where I paid out-of-state tuition (still relevant today). Thankfully, I had a fantastic experience and still have lifelong connections. Mixed into this time frame, I met an intriguing young man, and we entered into a long-distance relationship as he was completing graduate school in Michigan. I am also grateful that it paid off because he is my incredible husband today and I owe him so much for his support. We moved around together to complete my training, and in the middle of my residency, we had our first child. That was difficult. Perhaps as a consequence or related to other factors, I took board exams four times. Four times. That really blew my confidence and identity, and I want others to know they are not alone. This is a tricky business.

I focused on private practice post-residency for over ten years and then moved into an industry role for the same reasons people make moves now: better pay and a better lifestyle. In this role, I was drawn to teaching and education and was excited to bring new therapeutics to life for other veterinarians and help them with their daily case management. During this period, I continued to work part-time relief in internal medicine because I still like that part, too! The industry position ended due to a merger, and by then, we had moved our family (we have two kids) to Franklin, TN, and we loved it – so a relocation was not in the cards. I joined a startup mobile specialty group and built the practice in Franklin for over three years. During the pandemic, I knocked on doors and used a combination of friendly competence, education, and skill to gain trust in the veterinary community. I am grateful for their acceptance.

NOW – I am excited to continue to build on these special relationships and work to bring something new to the area. Music City Pet Internal Medicine combines clinical practice, telemedicine, and learning opportunities.