Veterinary Team in Evans, GA

Megan Odell, DVM

Veterinarian

 

Dr. Megan Odell is dedicated to providing compassionate, high quality veterinary care while building lasting relationships with pets and the people who love them. She believes the best outcomes come from partnering with pet owners and helping them make informed decisions throughout every stage of their pet’s life.

While studying biology at The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Odell began her veterinary career as a technician in the Parvo ICU at Austin Pets Alive!, where she helped care for hundreds of puppies with parvovirus. She later returned to her East Texas hometown to gain experience in general practice before graduating summa cum laude from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Odell was also inducted into the Phi Zeta Honor Society in recognition of her academic achievements

Dr. Odell enjoys all aspects of general practice, with special interests in ophthalmology, soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and feline medicine. She is passionate about lifelong learning and continually expanding her skills to provide the highest level of care for her patients.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Odell enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her four pets, Albie, Dewey, Koda, and Kilo, as well as cooking, gardening, exploring the outdoors, and spending time on the lake. She also admits she is a little too competitive when it comes to board games and trivia. She has recently taken up golf, although her favorite part is searching the woods for lost golf balls.

 

Makenzie Sanders, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Makenzie Sanders began her journey in veterinary medicine during the summer of her senior year of high school in 2016, working in equine medicine and discovering a deep love for animal care. Throughout her undergraduate years, she spent her summers as a veterinary assistant in small animal practice, gaining hands-on experience in patient care, client communication, diagnostics, and surgical support.

Today, as an Associate Veterinarian at Southern Trails Vet, Dr. Sanders provides compassionate, comprehensive care for every patient she sees. She performs physical exams, recommends diagnostics, and offers treatment options designed to keep pets happy and healthy. Her professional interests include surgery and radiology, and she finds immense fulfillment in helping pets heal and thrive as beloved members of their families.

At home, Dr. Sanders is a proud cat mom to two very special boys – Blu, her spirited three-legged rescue, and Watson, her gentle, orange companion. Both were adopted while she was working in clinics and have become her constant sources of joy (and entertainment).

Outside of work, Makenzie enjoys crafting, crocheting, watching reality TV, and playing video games. A self-proclaimed Marvel superfan, she’s also known for her growing collection of Avengers memorabilia.

Christyal

Client Liaison

Hannah

Veterinary Assistant

Hannah Whitaker is a Veterinary Assistant at Southern Trails Vet, where she enjoys helping pets and their families while supporting the medical team with compassionate, high-quality care. Since beginning her career in veterinary medicine in 2022, Hannah has developed experience in many areas of patient care, including assisting doctors during appointments, running laboratory tests, administering vaccines, performing dental procedures, monitoring patients during surgery, and managing the clinic’s inventory.

Hannah’s passion for veterinary medicine began with her own pets, especially her beloved cat, Milkshake. After watching him overcome several health challenges, she was inspired to learn more about veterinary care and help other pets live healthier lives. She also holds a business degree from Georgia Military College, bringing strong organizational skills to her role.

Outside of the clinic, Hannah enjoys reading, traveling, meeting new people, and doing her nails. She shares her home with two cats—Milkshake, her 13-year-old Turkish Van, and Oliver, her talkative black domestic shorthair. She’s also a lifelong Garfield the Cat enthusiast, which comes as no surprise to anyone who knows her.

Kiara

Client Service Representative

Kiara is new to veterinary medicine, joining the Southern Trails Vet team in 2025, but her 4-H background gave her a great start in animal care. She loves learning, helping clients, and brings a warm, upbeat energy to the front desk. Kiara has two clever cats—Ramona and Nether.

Liana

Veterinary Assistant

Liana has been in veterinary medicine for about five years, bringing compassion and skill to every patient she helps care for. She loves making a meaningful difference in animals’ lives and supporting veterinarians in providing high-quality care. At home, she has one pet—her sweet orange cat, AppleJack (AJ).

Zoe

Veterinary Assistant

Zoe has been passionate about animals her whole life, which made becoming a veterinary technician a natural path. She loves helping pets when they need it most and especially enjoys guiding new pet owners as they learn the ropes. At home, she cares for a full menagerie—3 cats, 2 dogs, 9 snakes, and 4 lizards—reflecting her deep love for all species.

Katelyn

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Katelyn has been passionate about veterinary medicine since she was eight years old and now thrives as a hands-on veterinary technician. She loves seeing pets grow, heal, and improve over time, knowing she plays a meaningful role in their health and happiness. At home, she cares for four pets: Hamilton, Sir Henry, Tucker, and Thomas.

Destinee

Veterinary Assistant

Destinee became a veterinary technician to be a “voice for the voiceless,” a mission that’s guided her throughout her career in veterinary medicine. She loves the fun, chaotic joy of puppy and kitten cuddles just as much as the rewarding experience of helping sick pets recover. At home, she has four pets—Mochi, Cinder, Bruce, and Oliver—each with their own personality and charm.

Maria Flippo, DVM

Owner and Veterinarian

Dr. Maria Flippo is proud to lead Southern Trails Vet as owner and veterinarian. She is passionate about strengthening the bond between pets and the people who love them through thoughtful communication, exceptional medicine, and personalized care.

Dr. Flippo earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Sciences from Clemson University before receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University. She then completed a rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she gained advanced experience diagnosing complex medical cases and caring for critically ill patients. She has been a veterinarian for over 10 years, including emergency care and specialized medicine before transitioning to general practice.

As the owner of Southern Trails Vet, Dr. Flippo is committed to building on the strong foundation that has made the practice a trusted part of the Evans community. She believes every family deserves clear communication, compassionate guidance, and the confidence that comes from having a veterinary team that truly knows and cares about their pet.

Dr. Flippo enjoys collaborating with her colleagues to provide comprehensive care and is dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for clients, patients, and team members alike.

Outside the clinic, she enjoys traveling with her husband and children, practicing Pilates, and spending time with her two dogs, a Chihuahua and a Labrador Retriever.

Dr. Flippo is honored to be part of the Southern Trails family and looks forward to building lasting relationships with the pets and families of Evans for years to come.