Meet Our Vets in Westside Atlanta, GA
Our Westside team is a group of dedicated pet lovers committed to excellence. We are passionate about our work and strive to provide care that nurtures the human-animal bond. Learn more about our extraordinary team and make an appointment today!
A team with over of combined experience:
Dr. Jessica Jenkins Medical Director
Since 2013
Dr. Jenkins is a Georgia native who grew up in a small town just south of Savannah. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology at Armstrong Atlantic State University and then went on to receive her DVM at University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. Prior to joining The Village Vets in 2013, Dr. Jenkins worked for a small animal practice in Myrtle Beach. She has a special interest in dentistry and internal medicine.
Dr. Jenkins currently resides in Smyrna, where she lives with her three-legged cat, Horatio. In her spare time, Dr. Jenkins enjoys nature walks, hiking, creating new recipes, and watching sports.
Dr. Alissa Stephens Operations Director
Since 2011
Dr. Alissa Stephens grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey. In 2008, she graduated from Rutgers University and moved to Atlanta to complete an internship at Zoo Atlanta. She began vet school in 2011 at the University of Georgia and during the summer and winter breaks, worked as a vet assistant at TVV Buckhead. Dr. Stephens joined us as a vet in 2015. She is currently completing her certification in veterinary acupuncture at the Chi Institute in Florida. Her special interests include general surgery and acupuncture.
Dr. Stephens and her husband, Chris - practice manager at TVV - live in Canton with their four rescue dogs: Stitch, a Lab mix; Virginia, a Boxer/Anatolian Shepherd mix; Madison, a Pitbull mix; and Captain Jack, a German Shepherd mix.
Dr. Courtney Merrow
Since 2019
Dr Courtney Merrow is an Atlanta native. She attended the University of Georgia for her undergraduate and veterinary studies. She moved to Nashville after graduation in 2009 where she practiced for a decade prior to moving back to Georgia. Her special interests include internal medicine and dentistry.
She resides in Marietta with her husband and two children and a rescue dog named Alice and a cat named George. In her free time Dr. Merrow enjoys spending time with her family and friends and attending Atlanta United games.
Dr. Sarah Kanter
Since 2024
Dr. Kanter grew up in Bedford, New Hampshire. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. She then went on to complete her DVM, finishing at the top of her class at Colorado State University. She has special interests in internal medicine as well as dentistry and neurology. Dr. Kanter currently resides in Sandy Springs with her Basset Hound, Bare Naked Lady, and her two cats. In her free time, she enjoys watching Georgia football games (Go dawgs!), hiking, and attending concerts!
Dr. Will Draper Practice Director
Since 2000
“Dr. Will” grew up in Inglewood, California. He graduated from Morningside High School in 1984, then attended Tuskegee University in Alabama (4th generation) for both undergraduate and veterinary medical studies. He received his DVM in 1991, followed by a 1-year internship at North Rockville Veterinary Hospital in Maryland. He moved to Atlanta in 1992, married veterinary school classmate Dr. Françoise Tyler in 1993, and together they founded The Village Vets in 2000. His special veterinary interests include dermatology, internal medicine, and practice management.
He has received a number of accolades including being ranked as a FIVE STAR veterinarian in the Atlanta magazine—an honor bestowed to only 7% of the veterinarians in the metro Atlanta area (which also includes his wife, Dr. Tyler). He has served on the board of the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA), and presently serves as a director on the board of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)- the first African-American to do since the organization was founded in 1933.
Dr. Will lives with his family in historic Inman Park, "Atlanta's first suburb". He's a big fan of Atlanta Braves baseball, United soccer, and Hawks basketball. In his leisure time he enjoys playing golf (with as many strokes as he can so he gets his money's worth), acrylic painting ("No patience for oils"), and considers himself a better-than-average singer and interior decorator. He is a true lover of all music- his passion is following the Dave Matthews Band, having attended over 55 shows to date.
He and his wife have four children: David, Tyler, Gabrielle, and Olivia. Four-legged kids include dogs Louie, Frank, Bella and Beauford- as well as "the boss", feline Charlemagne (Charlie).