Redefining the Veterinary Experience
Our mission is deeply rooted in the Japanese philosophy of ikigai (EE-kee-guy) – meaning “a reason for being”. In supporting the well-being of your beloved pet, we nurture the very essence of what makes life meaningful. We have curated a space where:
- Our team works with intention and passion, not routine.
- Pets feel safe and loved, not examined.
- Clients feel seen and heard, not processed.
Because for us, ikigai isn’t just a concept. It’s how we care.
It’s why we are here. It’s the heart of everything we do.
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Services
Dermatology & Allergy Treatments
Sick & Urgent Care
Domestic & International Health Certificates
Imaging (Digital Radiology, Ultrasonography)
Telemedicine
Hospice & End of Life
Surgery
In-House & Referral Lab Services
Pharmacy & Prescription Refills
Nutrition
Dentistry & Oral Health
Wellness & Prevention
Downtown Knoxville Veterinary at Emory Place
Downtown Knoxville Veterinary is proudly located in Emory Place, a charming historic district nestled between Downtown Knoxville and the Old City. Tucked between Broadway and Central Avenue and just steps from Old Gray Cemetery, Emory Place is known for its unique character—featuring a local gallery, boutique shops, Crafty Bastard Brewery, and the iconic St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Our location makes DKV easily accessible for pet owners in Old North Knoxville, Fourth & Gill, Downtown, and The University of Tennessee campus.
Thoughtfully Curated Space
We teamed up with a world renown veterinary architect to provide a safe and comfortable place for you and your pet.
Species Specific
Dogs and cats are seen in separate areas of the practice so that their experience is not influenced by each other. We use species specific calming pheromones, and encourage pre-visit anti-anxiety modalities for shy or nervous patients. Our goal is for every pet to have a pleasant visit, every time.
Safety & Comfort
Hospitalized pets are held in specialized enclosures that reduce stress by providing thermal support and sound reduction. By ensuring comfort, we can optimize your pet’s recovery and surgical outcome.
Prioritizing Privacy
No long wait times in the lobby. You’ll go straight to your private exam room, where you’ll consult, receive care, and even check out—all in one calm space.
About Us
We are proud to introduce you to our carefully selected team members. Each of our staff brings heart and skill to every interaction—because this isn’t just our profession, it’s our purpose. We find meaning in every tail wag, purr, and grateful glance.
Whether it’s preventive care, healing an injury, or saying goodbye with dignity, we’re here to walk beside you with respect, empathy and expertise.
Common FAQS
Where do I park?
Free parking is conveniently available at Emory Place, right in front of the clinic. Open spots may be impacted by sporting and local events. We recommend planning on arriving to your pet’s appointment at least 15 min early to account for parking.
Are you accepting new clients?
Yes—we’d love to meet you and your pet! Downtown Knoxville Veterinary is accepting new clients, and we’re all about building long-term relationships based on trust, transparency, and great care.
Give us a call or use our online booking tool to schedule your first visit. Heads-up: new client spots can fill fast, so don’t wait too long to claim yours!
What is the difference between locally owned and corporate vet clinics?
At Downtown Knoxville Veterinary, you’re not just a number in a system—you’re a neighbor. You’ll see familiar faces, build a relationship with your vet, and enjoy consistent, personalized care. We have the freedom to do what’s best for your pet, not what fits a corporate policy. That’s the DKV difference.
Because when you support a locally owned clinic like Downtown Knoxville Veterinary, you’re not just getting a vet—you’re gaining a team that lives in your community, shops at your farmers market, and probably knows the name of your dog and your barista.
As an independent, women-owned practice, we make decisions based on what’s best for your pet—not what’s dictated by a corporate playbook. That means more personalized care, continuity with a familiar team, and the freedom to treat every pet like an individual (not a number).
Plus, your support stays right here in Knoxville, helping our local economy thrive. So when you walk through our doors, you’re not just a client—you’re a neighbor. And we treat your pets like family.
What’s the difference between an animal clinic and an animal hospital?
Great question! You may have seen the terms animal hospital,veterinary hospital, and animal clinic used interchangeably—but there are some subtle differences.
In general, an animal hospital or veterinary hospital often refers to a facility that provides more advanced or emergency care, sometimes with overnight monitoring or surgical suites. Think surgical referral or ICU. A veterinary clinic, on the other hand, typically focuses on wellness care, preventative medicine, dental health, vaccinations, diagnostics, and outpatient procedures—which is exactly what we specialize in here.
At Downtown Knoxville Veterinary Clinic, we provide compassionate, expert-level care for your pets with a boutique, clinic-style experience. While we don’t offer 24/7 emergency care, we do work closely with local animal hospitals and specialists to ensure continuity of care if your pet ever needs additional services.
Can I stay with my pet during their appointment?
For certain procedures (like x-rays, surgeries, or anything involving sterile spaces or safety risks), we may step away with your pet—but don’t worry, your pet will be in expert, loving hands the entire time. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way.
We totally get it—your pet is family, and you want to be right there for them. Honestly, we love a good “helicopter pet parent” around here. It means you care, and we’re all about that. Our goal is to make both< of you feel calm, informed, and cared for.
Do you perform routine grooming?
That said, we do< step in when grooming becomes a medical need—like severe matting, painful hotspots, or if your pet requires sedation for a safe, stress-free experience. In those cases, we’ll make sure your pet is comfortable and cared for, even if we’re not winning any style points.
So for routine baths and blowouts? Call your favorite groomer. For the tough stuff? We’ve got you covered.
Is my pet having a vaccine reaction?
True vaccine reactions are not common and we use very safe and effective vaccines. It’s normal for pets to feel a little tired or sore after vaccines—maybe even run a low-grade fever or have mild swelling at the injection site. These minor signs are usually part of the pet’s normal immune response to the vaccination and typically pass within 24–48 hours.
However, if your pet is vomiting, has facial swelling, facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, or collapses, call us immediately. Those can be signs of a more serious reaction. Better safe than sorry—when in doubt, give us a shout!
What is the difference between low-cost spay/neuter clinics and private practice?
Spay and neuter surgeries are common, but they’re still major surgeries. At Downtown Knoxville Veterinary, your pet gets VIP treatment: a dedicated surgical team, individualized anesthesia, superior pain control, and attentive recovery care.
Unlike shelter-based clinics that require fast pace care due to the high volume seen, we take our time—with your pet’s comfort and safety as our top priorities. You also get the benefit of continuity of care with your primary veterinarian, who knows your pet’s full history. The result? Your peace of mind, smoother recoveries and better long-term outcomes.
Because your pet deserves more than “good enough.”
What should I do if my pet eats something toxic?
Step one: don’t panic—call us right away! The sooner we know what your pet ate, the faster we can help. If we’re closed, contact an emergency vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435).
Helpful info to have on hand: what your pet ate (have the packaging available if possible), how much, and when it happened. Even “natural” or “organic” items can be harmful to pets, so when in doubt, check it out.
Pro tip: if your pet gets sick, clean it up right away to prevent them from re-ingesting the toxic substance!
Is flea/tick/heartworm prevention really necessary year-round?
Short answer: yes, absolutely. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes don’t take vacations—and in Tennessee’s climate, they’re active all year long.
Skipping prevention can mean serious health risks, from itchy skin and infections to Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and heartworm, which is life-threatening and expensive to treat. Prevention is way easier (and cheaper!) than dealing with the fallout later.
Your pet might not be scratching now—but trust us, prevention is peace of mind in a chewy treat, tiny tablet or simple topical application.
What is a reliable online resource for general pet information?
The internet is full of advice—some great, some… not so great. For trustworthy, up-to-date info, we recommend:
- veterinarypartner.vin.com – Articles written by licensed veterinarians on everything from behavior to medical conditions.
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA.org) – A solid go-to for health guidelines and pet care basics.
And of course, the best resource is your trusted veterinary team (hey, that’s us!). If you’ve got a question, we’re just a call or email away.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Please bring all previous medical records, a list of medications, supplements and prevention your pet is taking, your pet’s current diet information and a list of health concerns or questions. Please complete our new client form prior to your appointment.
What species do you treat?
How do I schedule an appointment?
What do I do if I am running late?
Heads-up: for surgeries, drop-offs, or time-sensitive appointments, being late may mean we need to shift things to a later date to make sure your pet gets the care and attention they deserve (and no one gets rushed). Calling ahead helps us help you—plus, it gives us time to pour another cup of coffee.
How do you handle fearful or anxious pets?
Don’t worry– your companion won’t ever be labeled a ‘bad pet’ at DKV. Pets are often nervous or misunderstood! We love drama queens, shy guys, wigglebutts and everything in between. Our team is trained in low-stress handling techniques and approach each pet with care. Some pets may need extra calming modalities or medication prior to their appointment. If your pet has anxiety or a previous experience that put them (or you) on edge, let us know ahead of time so we can prepare accordingly.
How much will it cost?
Our clinic may look and feel fancy, but we’ve worked hard to make sure our pricing isn’t.
At Downtown Knoxville Veterinary, we believe great care shouldn’t come with surprise sticker shock. While we’ve created a clean, modern space to keep pets and people comfortable, we’ve also done our homework to keep our pricing fair, transparent, and competitive for our area.
We’re always happy to provide estimates before treatment, explain your options clearly, and work with your budget whenever possible—because high-quality care should feel accessible, not intimidating.
Your pet deserves excellent care, and you deserve to know what it costs. Let’s talk about both.
Do you offer emergency services?
We don’t offer after-hours emergency care, but we do treat urgent cases during business hours. If you’re worried your pet might need urgent attention, call us right away—we’re best able to help when we can assess the situation early. For true emergencies after hours, we’ll recommend trusted local emergency hospitals we know and respect.
What to expect if my pet is having surgery?
We know surgery day can be stressful and we are here to make it as smooth and worry-free as possible. Our surgery coordinator will discuss pre-surgical instructions, however this is typically
First, take a deep breath—you and your pet are in great hands! Your pet’s surgical coordinator will contact you with pre-surgical instructions. On the day of surgery, a member of the surgical team will meet with you in a private room to discuss the procedure and expectations. Your pet will be admitted to a special area of the clinic after a pre-surgical exam and a tailored treatment plan will be formulated. We use modern anesthesia protocols, advanced monitoring, and customized pain management to keep your pet safe and comfortable from start to finish.
After surgery, your pet will wake up in a cozy recovery area under the watchful eyes of our team. The recovery area is equipped with warming devices and soft blankets. We’ll call you with an update, and when it’s time to go home, we’ll walk you through everything you need for a smooth and successful recovery—plus, we’re always just a phone call away if you have questions.
Difference between a teeth cleaning and COHAT?
Great question—because your pet’s smile deserves more than just a surface shine!
A grooming “teeth cleaning” is typically a quick brushing that freshens breath but doesn’t treat disease below the gumline. It’s kind of like washing your car without looking under the hood—great for appearances, but it won’t catch hidden problems.
At DKV, we perform a COHAT—Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment. That means your pet is under safe anesthesia while we take dental x-rays, assess each tooth, and thoroughly clean above and below the gumline (where most dental disease hides). If needed, we treat painful issues like infections, fractures, or loose teeth—all with expert pain management and aftercare.
Healthy mouth, healthy pet. Let’s keep those kisses fresh and pain-free!
Is grain-free food really better?
Not necessarily. While grain-free diets became trendy, they’re not automatically healthier. In fact, recent studies have linked some grain-free diets to heart disease in dogs—especially those heavy in peas, lentils, or potatoes.
Most pets do just fine with grains, and food decisions should be based on your individual pet’s needs, not marketing buzzwords. We’re happy to help you choose a diet that fits your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, and health. Bottom line: let’s feed what works best for your pet, not just what’s a fad.
Why does my pet need bloodwork if they seem healthy?
Think of bloodwork like your pet’s internal report card—it helps us spot issues before they cause visible symptoms. Early detection means earlier treatment, better outcomes, and often lower costs.
Whether it’s a wellness check, pre-anesthesia screen, or senior care panel, these tests give us insight into organ function, infections, inflammation, and more. Your pet might look healthy, but their kidneys or liver might be quietly waving a red flag—and we want to catch that before it turns into something serious.
Testimonials
“Dr. Wolf is a great vet. She helped our dog Penny when it was her time to say goodbye. Although it was one of my hardest days, her compassionate care meant everything and it made the process easier to get through. So grateful.”
“Dr. Wolf is an excellent veterinarian! She has cared for my cats over the years and does an outstanding job. She truly cares for your animals and wants to make sure they are in their best health and she also takes the time to listen to you. Highly recommend!