Our Story
In 2019, Dr. Kevin Smith, DVM, formed the Kentucky Veterinary Practice Group. Currently comprised of two veterinary clinics, Richmond Road Veterinary Clinic and Tates Creek Animal Hospital, the mission of KVPG is to ensure Central Kentuckians have access to locally-owned veterinary services, whose doctors and staff live in Kentucky, give back to the local community and invest in considerable staff and resources to make sure your pet is well-cared for and lives a healthy and happy life.
Veterinary practices operating under the KVPG umbrella work diligently to attain key accreditations, most notably the Champions for Excellent Care accreditation from the AAHA American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The AAHA is the sole entity that accredits veterinary practices in the United States and Canada. By accepting the challenge of accreditation, Richmond Road Veterinary Clinic and Tates Creek Animal Hospital are evaluated on strict quality standards in over 900 aspects of veterinary medicine, including pain management, team training, record keeping. On-site visits are conducted regularly, and ongoing accreditation activities are monitored and updated so that our accredited practice teams are constantly at the forefront of our profession.
If you own, manage or are involved in a local veterinary practice in Kentucky and would like to learn more about partnerships with KVPG, please contact Dr. Kevin Smith at 859-263-5037.
Our Clinics
Our two clinics are located conveniently in Lexington, KY.
Visit each website to learn more about their doctors and services.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide the most advanced, compassionate and highest caliber wellness, medical and surgical care to our patients. Ultimately, we work together with you, our clients, to offer your pets the most comfortable and highest quality of life possible. We strive to exceed your expectations by working each day with relentless passion to provide honest and thorough evaluations of our patients, so that you feel comfortable with the treatment plan for your dog or cat. Our plan is your plan – for your loved one to live a long and happy life as a part of your family.
Our Core Service Values
- We build strong relationships with our clients and patients.
- We are always responsive to the expressed and unexpressed wishes and needs of our clients and patients.
- We continually seek opportunities to innovate and improve the experience our clients and patients have.
- We own and immediately resolve any concerns.
- We are proud of our professional appearance, language and behavior.
- We are responsible for uncompromising levels of cleanliness and creating a safe environment.
- We have the opportunity to continuously grow and learn.
- We are involved in the planning of the work that directly affects us.
- We create a work environment of teamwork, friendliness and service so that the needs of our clients, patients and each other are met.
Who We Are
Dr. Kevin Smith
DVM/CEO
For as long as I can remember, I have had a fascination with animals. It began while taking care of my own childhood pets, along with the animals I spotted in the woods where I spent a lot of my time hiking. A few years later in high school, my passion for medicine was ignited. The functions and anatomy of the body intrigued me, thus inspiring me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I was fortunate enough to find the perfect combination of my two passions. My career in veterinary medicine began when I was fifteen years old working as a veterinary assistant at a local clinic. I worked toward my dream of becoming a veterinarian throughout high school as well as college. I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in biology and went on to Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine where I studied for the next four years. Having attended the University of Kentucky and living in Lexington while earning my undergraduate degree, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return to the place I considered home. Getting the opportunity to pursue my passion at Richmond Road Veterinary Clinic has become nothing short of a dream come true. Richmond Road Veterinary Clinic not only gave me an amazing career, but also gave me my wonderful wife Marci and my two beautiful daughters. Each day is an adventure for me. I am constantly looking for opportunities to expand my knowledge about veterinary medicine as well as to educate the people around me.
Our Involvement
Community involvement is a core part of our philosophy and our clinics are involved in many local activities. Our key community partner is the Lexington Humane Society (LHS), where we serve as the Adoption Program Sponsor. This is an annual investment we make to financially support the very important adoption services offered by LHS. We also sponsor several events each year, including Mutt Strutt, Doggie Paddle and the Beastie Ball. In addition, one of our KVPG doctors, Dr. Heather Hancock and her husband, Dr. Kevin Simmons, founded the Central Kentucky Wildlife Hospital, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Kentucky’s wildlife.
Our Resources
6 People Foods That Are Unsuitable for Pets
Your pet’s sheepish grin and pleading, blue eyes can get you to do pretty much anything.
A Brief Guide to Diabetes in Dogs and Cats
Diabetes is a condition in which the body either fails to produce the hormone insulin (Type 1 diabetes).
Adopting and Caring for a Senior Pet
Offering a forever home to a senior pet can be an intensely rewarding and fulfilling experience.
7 Things To Consider Before Adopting A Shelter Dog
Despite the advent of the COVID-19 crisis and its associated
Heartworm Awareness Month—Keeping Your Pets Healthy
Unless you’re a veterinarian, the name Dirofilaria imitis might.
Preventing Toxic Exposures In Pets
It’s a pet owner’s worst nightmare—your animal has accidentally.
Make Your Pet’s Dental Health A Priority
How long would you let a serious dental problem go untreated? Chances are
Pain Management And Pain Awareness In Cats And Dogs
Physical pain affects animals and humans alike. But because our.
The Right Choice For Your Pet’s Health
Summer is traditionally a time for outdoor play, travel, and adventure. But before you rush
7 Pet Safety Tips For
Summer
As veterinarians, we want your furry companions to live long, healthy lives.
It’s Adopt A Shelter Dog Month! 8 Great Reasons To Adopt!
October is Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, so now is a great time.
Keeping Your Pets Safe During The Holidays
The holidays are a time for family, friends, feasts, and fun. But for our pets, they can mean.