Gerard Clarke grew up in Smyrna, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta.  His family raised Malamutes and had various other pets, including a Pointer that he trained and won a few local classes with. From the time he was young he wanted to be a veterinarian, so he began working as an assistant in local veterinary clinics to gain experience.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgia State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia.  During his time at Georgia State University, he met his wife, Paula, who was a nursing student. They now have two grown children; a son living in Seattle, and a daughter who works as an oncology pharmacist in Augusta, Georgia.

After practicing in Augusta, Georgia for several years in emergency and small animal medicine, Dr. Clarke completed an internship and pursued a residency/PhD in veterinary pathology at the University of Georgia.

Dr. Clarke returned to small animal practice in 1996 as an associate at the Animal Medical Center in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.  He and Paula opened the Ringgold Animal Hospital in 2003. Dr. Clarke particularly enjoys dermatology, ophthalmology, and diagnostic cytology cases. He is committed to offering a high standard of medicine to all of  his patients and frequently attends continuing education classes to stay abreast of current knowledge in various small animal subjects. 

Dr. Clarke enjoys listening to audiobooks and podcasts, gardening, and seeking out ethnic cuisine - the spicier the better. The Clarkes share their home with a wayward Guinea Pig, Flotsam, and a dog, Jack - who travels with them to the clinic and can most often be found curled up in his bed under the reception desk (or begging for treats!).

Jimmy Emerson was born and raised on a farm in Alabama. Growing up with animals steered him towards a career in veterinary medicine, and he attended Auburn University for undergraduate and veterinary college. 

Dr. Emerson worked at a mixed animal practice in Alabama for a few years out of school before moving to Dalton 14 years ago and transitioning to small animal only. He joined the Ringgold Animal Hospital in November 2019.  He particularly enjoys soft tissue surgery, as well as solving the sometimes complex puzzles presented by internal medicine cases.

In his spare time, Dr. Emerson likes to travel - he as visited all 3,142 counties in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii! He has also been to the highest point in 39 out of 50 states. His other favorite past time is watching college football - contrary to assumptions, he's a Tide fan!

Dr. Emerson lives in Dalton with his cats, Laramie and Lander.