Vets & Staff
Learn more about the vets and staff here at Knox County Veterinary Services....
Dr. Mark S. Smith
Dr. Mark S. Smith, a native of Knox County Kentucky, is the son of the late Roy S. and Merle Smith of Gray Kentucky. He is the youngest of their five children. He attended the Knox County school system, graduating from Knox Central High School in 1982. His college career began at the University of Kentucky where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science in 1986. Dr. Smith then attended Tuskegee University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1991.
Dr. Smith’s lifelong ambition was to be a veterinarian. His passions include his two sons Matthew and Aaron, raising his own American Quarter Horses, and watching the University of Kentucky football and basketball teams.
Dr. Smith began his veterinary career practicing in Mt. Washington Kentucky, later moving to Louisville. Finally returning home, Dr. Smith opened his own practice providing Knox County and surrounding areas with a veterinary hospital and a mobile unit for farm visits.
Dr. Tammy Thomason-Smith
Dr. Tammy Thomason-Smith is a Louisville native. She is the youngest of three children to the late Richard and Roxana Thomason. After graduating from Iroquois High School in 1986, she attended Western Kentucky University on a music scholarship for her undergraduate work. She then entered Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1993.
Following graduation, Dr. Thomason-Smith returned to Louisville to begin her career in companion animal medicine. In 1996 she and Dr. Mark S. Smith married and moved to Barbourville where they jointly started Knox County Veterinary Services.
Today they share a home with a menagerie of 4-legged friends ranging from a Chihuahua to horses. She is also active in the community as a member of the Barbourville Jr. Woman’s Study Club and other civic organizations.
Amanda Smith
Amanda Smith was born and raised in Knox County. She has had a love of animals all her life. When she came to work here in 2007 she said ‘she knew she would be happy’.
One day she plans to return to college to pursue a degree as a veterinary assistant.
Roxanne Finn
Roxanne Finn was born and raised on a large farm in Iowa. She came to Kentucky on a volleyball scholarship at Lindsey Wilson College where she met her husband Daniel Finn. She graduated with a BA in Human Services and Counseling, but always had a love for animals. After college, both returned to Iowa for a year where she was a dog trainer, but her husband’s job as a tennis coach led them back to Kentucky.
Roxanne and Daniel reside in Barbourville with their 3 dogs, Oreo, Lily, Sammy and their ferret, Peanut.
Sarah Gibson
Sarah Gibson is from Bell County Kentucky. She has been attending Lincoln Memorial University for about a year now as a student in the veterinary technology program. She has 2 dogs, 2 cats and a bird.
Tabitha Pfoutz
Tabitha Pfoutz is a native of Pennsylvania. She moved to Kentucky during high school and graduated from Whitley County High in 2002. She then spent 8 years in Ohio receiving her bachelor’s degree and working at a summer camp and with special needs toddlers. Tabitha has since moved back to the area to be closer to her mom and siblings. She has always had a passion for animals and is enjoying learning the ‘medical’ side of pet care. She, herself, has 2 dogs – a chow mix and an adopted Pomeranian who are both named ‘Bear’!
Emily Lawson
Emily Lawson was born and raised in southeastern Kentucky and after graduating high school she moved to Maryville, Tennessee for 3 years. In 2005 she moved back to Kentucky to be closer to family. In 2008 she graduated from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Emily has always had a deep love for animals of all sizes and as a child she even wanted to be a veterinarian. Working at Knox County Veterinary Services is very much a dream job for her.
Emily resides in Gray, KY with her husband, Russell, and two step children. She has three dogs; Neo, Bandit, and Toto; three geckos; Godzilla, Speedy, and Leo; and a catfish named Kitty.
Donna Johnson
Donna Johnson is the wife of Doug Johnson. They have a daughter, Darla, and two German Shepherds, Buttons and Bows. Donna graduated from Florida Institute of Animal Arts and has worked as a groomer. In 2008, she returned to Knox County, Kentucky. She has a real passion for animals, and loves them all.