Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Renee Jones.
Hi Dr. Jones, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, here is long short story! I am originally from Kansas City, MO. I knew my whole life that I wanted to work with animals, zoo animals that is. Being a veterinarian was not on my radar growing up, especially since I never saw any veterinarians that looked like me. In college, I transferred to Texas A&M and earned a bachelor’s in Recreation, Parks, Tourism Sciences and then a Master of Science in the Wildlife and Fisheries department with an emphasis on ethology (study of animal behavior). I went to work at the Dallas Zoo a couple of years, finally working with zoo animals as I dreamed. However, I believe my destiny was to be a veterinarian after assisting with many veterinary appointments as a zookeeper. Before I know it, I was doing all my pre-requisites and starting the journey for veterinary medical school. I decided to move back to Texas after veterinary school to work general practice and gained a passion for soft tissue surgery. Since graduation January 2019, I have performed over 200 surgeries from emergency procedures to routine spays and neuters as the lead surgery at two different hospitals. But little did I know how much life wound change due to the COVID pandemic… Going from seeing about 9 patients a day to 30 pets a day. During this time, so many first-time pet owner clients came in; clients who did not know anything was going on with their pet are not noticing due to working from home or just being home. Seeing that many pets and clients a day, I realized I could not communicate to clients as thorough as I liked. And clients appreciated the attention to detail and the individual care I continued to provide my entire new career. Furthermore, I always kind of liked the “old school” or “back in the day” styles where the doctor would come to a patient’s home to provide all the personal medical one-on-one care. So, I thought about starting a mobile veterinary for professional athletes. As a former track and field athlete in college myself, I figured, why not?! I came up with the clinic name of “Vet 2 The Starz” and providing elite veterinary care like no one else. And while I was waiting on landing star athlete clients, I would provide celebrity-like care to clients in the greater Houston area. I saw my first client Aug 2021. In 2022, I started to see more and more clients requesting at-home euthanasia for their beloved pets. These were looking up and was working less in general practice to focus on my mobile practice. Then August 1, 2022, I was rear-ended in my first car accident. I had 3 bulging discs in my neck which affected my right arm mobility. This life-changing event really had me re-evaluate things. I have not and am unable to perform any surgeries. I couldn’t even hold a syringe to give a vaccine for months. It put a major pause on everything in my life. I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I had time to re-evaluate my business and realized 85% of the business was at-home euthanasia services. I was and still am honored to be a part of family’s decision to put their pet to sleep. They provided a quality of life, and I would assist with a quality of death or a good death, which is the definition of euthanasia. In addition, I have been with my pet during euthanasia and with my pet while dying in arms in a veterinary ER. I would never wish anyone seeing the latter. So, for 2023, I have rebranded and leaned into providing a much-needed and delicate service for all the cared for pets here in Houston. It is my privilege to assist with clients and patients with a humane euthanasia since the majority of diseases and illness our pets suffer from can be painful and prolonged. When I decided rebrand and I wanted to add posting about the cremation company on my website as well. Pet Meadows Texas a family-owned and accredited cremation facility with fantastic and compassionate care for the services they provided. I am happy to be partnering with them on this new journey for Vet 2 The Starz
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the major obstacles I have faced is not only being the first doctor in my family, but no one is a major business owner. My sister has helped a lot with getting started from LLC applications and tax-exempt forms. However, running the veterinary business side of it has been an all-new list of challenges. Thankfully many of colleagues have assisted, and want nothing more to see each of us to be successful in our different avenues within veterinary medicine.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I provide exclusive at-home euthanasia services for the greater Houston area for dog, cats, exotic pets, and domestic animals. With aftercare, I transport and return all keepsakes/urn back to the client. Since 2023 is the start of the new rebranding of my mobile veterinary clinic, I am working on going to every emergency hospital in Houston as well as places I have done relief work for to spread the word. I am proud to have a black-owned business with my excellent women and minority technicians. I believe what sets Vet 2 The Starz apart is the work I am and will be doing with Pet Meadows Texas Crematorium. Since the Pandemic, veterinary clinics are seeing a large volume of wellness and sick pet appointments. Leaving little time for euthanasia appointments. The environment and attention needed for peaceful euthanasia appointments are sometimes not met if in one room there a first puppy vaccine appointment with laughing children and next door is a euthanasia appointment. Even some clients choose to not go back to a veterinary clinic because of the their last moments with their pet were not the forever memory they wanted or expected. I think what Vet 2 The Starz and Pet Meadows Texas is doing by providing a space for in-facility euthanasia appointments at the crematorium is too revolutionary for the veterinary industry.
What makes you happy?
As odd as it may sound, I really love what I do and how God’s plan for my life has led me down this path. From moving a lot during my childhood and having a mother who is a licensed social worker, this allowed me to easily be able to talk with clients or just people in general during some of the most difficult times in their lives. Seeing my own first-ever cat die in front of me while the veterinary team performed CPR is the most traumatic experience of my life. My orange cat Kaleb was 5-days post op a chest tumor removal surgery when he unexpectedly coded and died. I do not regret the surgery or my decision to do such a risky procedure. I am comparing the peaceful euthanasia of my 16-year-old black lab mix Tiger and the shock of watching a pet pass. And if I can be part of peaceful goodbye with a client rather than the shock of an unexpected incident or even 3,4,5 days of a pet not eating or drinking or walking type of euthanasia. Then I would do anything to make sure no one has to carry those horrible memories of their pet deaths like I had witnessed firsthand. I know some events are cannot be avoided, accidents and emergencies do happen, but those are not the patients I am referring to.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies based on weight (dogs/cats)and private cremation options ranging from $550 and up
- In-facility euthanasia private cremation $500, and communal cremation/home burial is $350. $75 deposit required to schedule an appointment
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vet2thestarz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet2thestarz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vet2thestarz
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/pages/vet-2-the-starz-at-home-euthansia-houston-tx/?&recommend=1&init_source=org_admin_share_source_org_page
Image Credits
Jessica O’Rourke
Gary Jones Sr.
Vincent Monighetti
