Kami Eckels, DVM

Originally from Northwest Oklahoma, Dr. Kami Eckels graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. Following her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Darren Eckels, she returned to her hometown of Woodward, Oklahoma. Dr. Eckels began her veterinary career at a small companion animal clinic in Woodward, where she gained extensive knowledge and developed a passion for entrepreneurship. In 2017, the Eckels family expanded with the arrival of their son. Driven by her desire to be a stay-at-home parent, Dr. Eckels conceived the idea of a mobile veterinary clinic to cater to the needs of rural communities. With the dedicated efforts of her husband and father, they built a mobile vet trailer, fulfilling their dream. This accomplishment marked the birth of Neighborhood Veterinary Services, enabling Dr. Eckels to bring state-of-the-art veterinary care directly to the doorsteps of Woodward and surrounding areas. Through her house-call practice, she honed her skills as a veterinarian and gained invaluable experience in low-stress handling techniques for her patients. Fast forward to 2020, the year of the global pandemic. In March, just weeks before the world came to a standstill, the Eckels family received another blessing with the birth of their daughter. However, the sudden halt in the oil and gas industry, a vital component of Northwest Oklahoma's economy, left many, including Darren, unemployed. The area's economic struggles posed a significant challenge to families and businesses alike, forcing the Eckels family to contemplate their next steps. During that summer, an opportunity arose for the Eckels family to purchase a local veterinary clinic in Edmond, Oklahoma. This presented a long-cherished dream for Dr. Eckels and her family—to own a physical veterinary clinic. In the fall of 2020, they packed up their children and three dogs and made the move to Edmond, Oklahoma, determined to turn their aspirations into reality. In February 2021, Dr. Eckels and her husband proudly opened the doors to the Neighborhood Veterinary Services location in the heart of Edmond, marking a significant milestone in their journey. They see this opportunity as a way to demonstrate the values of small business entrepreneurship to their children. Their aim is to foster strong relationships with clients and patients, providing compassionate service that goes above and beyond.