Exciting News for Our Caring Hearts Family!
We have some very exciting news to share with our Caring Hearts family!
After many months of thoughtful searching and careful consideration, Caring Hearts Animal Hospital will welcome a new owner in September 2026: Dr. Suzanne Barnes!
After many years of dedicating herself to her patients, their families, and her team, Dr. White has decided it’s time to take a step back and begin a new chapter in her life. But finding the right person to take the reins at Caring Hearts was about so much more than finding someone to purchase a veterinary practice. It was about finding someone who would cherish what has been built here and carry it forward with the same heart, compassion, and commitment to exceptional care.
Dr. White wanted to find a veterinarian who shared her dedication to the high standards of medicine expected of an AAHA-accredited hospital. Just as importantly, she wanted someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with people and understands how much their pets mean to them.
She also felt strongly about keeping Caring Hearts independently owned, finding a veterinarian who dreamed of owning and leading a practice of their own rather than selling to a large corporation.
Fortunately, she didn’t have to look far!
Dr. Suzanne Barnes checked all the boxes.
Sometimes, the Right Connection Comes Along at Just the Right Time
Dr. White and Dr. Barnes first met more than two years ago, when Dr. Barnes interviewed for a position at Caring Hearts. The timing wasn’t quite right then, but they stayed in touch. Dr. White remembered how much she enjoyed meeting Dr. Barnes and knew she shared a dream of one day owning a veterinary hospital.
So, when Dr. White decided it was time to begin this next chapter, reaching out to Dr. Barnes felt like a natural choice. What began as a connection years ago has grown into an exciting opportunity for the future of Caring Hearts!
Getting to Know Dr. Suzanne Barnes
Dr. Barnes earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern Kentucky University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University, graduating in 2013. Since then, she has worked in several small-animal practices, gaining experience in emergency medicine and more than six years of veterinary leadership experience.
Like the Caring Hearts team, Dr. Barnes is Fear Free Certified and passionate about making veterinary visits as comfortable and low-stress as possible for pets and their people.
Her professional interests include chronic disease management, preventive care, breed-specific medicine, dentistry, metabolic disease, allergies, dermatology, and nutrition.
But what matters just as much as her medical expertise is her approach to caring for pets and the people who love them. Dr. Barnes believes in taking the time to listen, answer questions, and help clients feel confident in their pets’ care. She enjoys working together with families to create personalized treatment and preventive-care plans that reflect each pet’s individual needs.
We think you’ll find that her approach fits right in with what makes Caring Hearts so special!
A Little About Dr. Barnes Outside the Hospital
When she isn’t caring for animals, Dr. Barnes is busy enjoying life with her husband and their two young boys. Their family also includes a Border Collie and five rabbits—so it’s safe to say that animals are a big part of life at home, too!
She also enjoys working in the yard whenever she gets the chance.
And here’s a fun fact you might not expect: Dr. Barnes sang the National Anthem at her Auburn DVM graduation ceremony! What a wonderful way to mark such a special milestone.
What Does This Mean for the Caring Hearts Family?
Over the coming months, Dr. Barnes will work closely with Dr. White, Jennifer, and the entire Caring Hearts team to help make this transition as smooth as possible.
We know that the relationships you’ve built with our team mean so much, and we want you to know that the familiar faces, compassionate care, and commitment to our patients and clients that make Caring Hearts special will continue.
Change can sometimes bring uncertainty, and we understand that welcoming a new owner is a big moment for our hospital family. That’s one of the reasons we’re so excited about this transition. Dr. White has had the rare opportunity to personally choose the veterinarian she believes is the right person to honor what has been built here while bringing her own talents, energy, and ideas to the future of Caring Hearts.
This is a decision made with great care, a lot of thought, and a genuine love for this practice and the people and pets who make it what it is.
This isn’t the end of the Caring Hearts story. It’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter!
We can’t wait for you to get to know Dr. Barnes and her family, and we look forward to welcoming them into the Caring Hearts family. We’re excited about what lies ahead and feel so fortunate to have found someone who shares our values and vision for the future.
Please Join Us for a Celebration!
And what better way to welcome this new chapter than by celebrating together?
Save the date! We’ll be hosting a Celebration Gathering on November 8, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Caring Hearts Animal Hospital.
We’ll come together to celebrate Dr. White’s retirement, recognize all she has given to Caring Hearts, and congratulate Dr. Barnes as she steps into this exciting new role.
We would love for you to join us! More than anything, Caring Hearts is a family built on the relationships we share with you and your beloved pets, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate this milestone than with all of you.
Keep your eyes peeled for more details, and be sure to mark your calendars. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
With gratitude and excitement,
The Caring Hearts Animal Hospital Team
Caring Hearts Animal Hospital’s Veterinarians in Matthews, NC Here for Your Pets
At Caring Hearts Animal Hospital, we believe exceptional veterinary care starts with genuine compassion and personalized attention. Serving pets and families throughout Clemmons and the surrounding communities, our team is dedicated to supporting your pet’s health at every life stage. From preventive wellness visits to advanced medical care, we take the time to understand your pet’s unique needs and your goals as a pet owner.
Our hospital combines modern veterinary medicine with a warm, low-stress environment to help pets feel comfortable during every visit. Whether you’re searching for a trusted veterinarian near you or looking for long-term care for your furry family member, Caring Hearts Animal Hospital is here to provide reliable guidance, clear communication, and thoughtful care you can depend on.
At Caring Hearts, you’ll find a veterinary experience unlike any other. Book your pet’s visit today!
About Fear Free and Low Stress Handling
Caring Hearts Animal Hospital is behavior-focused, with our team being both Fear Free℠ Certified and Sophia Yin Gold Trained in Low Stress Handling®. This means we go above and beyond to understand animal behaviors and anxiety triggers and take many proactive measures to reduce stress and fearfulness in our patients. We pride ourselves on maintaining a calm atmosphere at our practice, from the yoga mats on our exam tables to the separate exam room for cats.
Some of the low-stress techniques we utilize at our practice include:
- Helping your pets feel secure by providing support during handling to prevent them from feeling unstable.
- Approaching visibly nervous pets with slow, deliberate movements.
- Allowing your pets sufficient time to calm down before beginning any treatments or procedures.
- Employing the least amount of restraint necessary.
- Using positive reinforcement and distractions as appropriate.
Meet Our Veterinary Team
At Caring Hearts Animal Hospital, serving Matthews, Mint Hill, Indian Trail, and beyond, our team is here to partner with you in giving your pets the best opportunity for a long, healthy life. We invite you to meet our wonderful veterinarians and support staff and learn about everything we have to offer!
Veterinary Services We Provide to Keep Your Pets Healthy
We offer an incredible number of services for dogs and cats, from routine preventive care and dentistry to surgery, dermatology, and in-house diagnostics.
We are an AAHA-Accredited Animal Hospital
Caring Hearts is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. What does accreditation mean? It means this veterinary hospital holds itself to a higher standard, and that your pet is receiving care at a hospital that has passed the highest standards in veterinary care. Only about 15% of animal hospitals in the United States and Canada are accredited.
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Areas We Serve
If you’re in Matthews or a surrounding community, our team is proud to provide dedicated, high-quality veterinary care for pets across the region. Take a look at the cities and towns we serve below.
