Very few of us are able to do what we truly love for a living.

Fewer still are granted the opportunity to improve the lives of other living things, whether they walk on two legs or four.

Brittany Reynolds, the newest veterinarian at Clay Hill Animal Clinic, is fortunate enough to do both.

For Reynolds, being a veterinarian was a passion that was instilled in her from a very young age.

“Since I was nine years old, I’ve been saying I wanted to be a vet,” Reynolds said.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and I think it was maybe God’s plan for me, and I just feel blessed to be able to work with animals every day and to have a job that I love.”

But she had a little help along the way.

When her parents noticed her interest in animals, they established a connection with the local vet in her hometown of Dothan.

After being taken under his wing, her desire to attend veterinary school took flight.

Once she graduated Troy University and then Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Reynolds participated in a one-year internship at Colorado State University, where she spent that time specializing in equine medicine and lameness.

It is this particular expertise — dealing with horses and small animals — that she brings to Clay Hill Animal Clinic.

Reynolds said that she enjoys the problem solving element of it all, but the happy looks on customers’ faces is the most rewarding part of all.

“It’s kind of like putting the pieces of a puzzle together, and it’s a little bit of a challenge, figuring out what’s causing it and then trying different angles to get him back sound so that he can do his job for somebody,” Reynolds said.

“But I love hearing the clients come back and tell me that ‘oh, he won this race,’ or ‘he did so great running barrels this weekend.’  It’s so rewarding, and I think what I love about working with horses is that you’re working toward a goal.”

And, given the culture of Butler County and the importance of horses in both the agricultural and recreational sense, Reynolds has had her share of puzzles to solve.

Reynolds admits that she and her colleagues are “definitely not bored” at the office.

But the friendly people and atmosphere of the Camellia City have made Reynolds’ stay much easier, and more than a little reminiscent of her hometown.

“Everybody has been so warm and welcoming, and we just feel so lucky to be here,” Reynolds said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better community to be a part of, for sure.  This definitely feels like home.”