Veterinarian Overview
Dr. Gardner grew up in Knoxville, TN where she decided she would become a veterinarian at the ripe old age of 8 and pursued her undergraduate studies at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1999 with a BAS in Natural Sciences and a minor in Women and Minority Studies. There she also played club soccer, flag football and participated in the Clown Ministries program while working for a small animal clinic as a veterinary assistant. She then traveled back to her hometown to attend the University of TN College of Veterinary Medicine and support the TENNESSEE VOLS!Upon graduation from veterinary school in 2003, Dr. Gardner moved to Indianapolis, IN and worked as a small animal general practitioner for several years. It was during this time that she obtained her traditional Chinese veterinary acupuncture certification and Chinese herbal and food medicine training through the Chi Institute in 2007 and her training in small animal veterinary spinal manipulation at Options for Animals in 2011. Here she also enjoyed becoming a COLTS fan and completing the 500 Festival Mini Marathon- twice! Dr. Gardner was also involved in several animal related charitible organizations during her time in Indianapolis, including a 3 year board membership with Paws and Think- a nonprofit organization that pairs at risk dogs with at risk youth to teach and train therapy dogs to donate to assistance dog programs specifically to be homed with families in financial need. She volunteered her medical and surgical skill twice a month for 5 years to IndyFeral a nonprofit organization that cared for and spayed and neutered feral cats in the Indianapolis area. She was appointed by the Indianapolis Mayor to the board of Indianapolis Animal Care and Control, and was elected to the the board of the CIVMA (Central Indiana Veterinary Medical Association) serving for 2 years. After 10 years in Indianapolis, Dr. Gardner moved to the Columbia area in 2013 and married her husband Brian with whom she has Bug, a boston terrier, One-Eyed Willie, a shi-tzu/pug, Xephe, a cattledog/rat terrier, Ed From Accounting, a handsome kitty, and Bernard, their dumbo earred rat. She is also a big supporter of rescued pets and animal rescue organizations here in the Midlands. Dr. Gardner has special intrests in dermatology, nutrition, alternative medicine, and behavior. In her free time she enjoys watching football, running, hiking, hashing (Columbia and Secession HHH), stand up comedy, live music, great food and spending time with her husband and pets.
