Dr. Brittany Holler Barkley knew she wanted to be a veterinarian by the time she was five — and decades later, that calling still shapes the way she practices medicine. As the owner and lead veterinarian of Springs Road Animal Hospital, she’s built her career around two ideas: that great medicine starts with great communication, and that pet parents deserve to be true partners in their pet’s care.

Dr. Barkley earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and her Master of Science in Physiology from North Carolina State University. She holds an undergraduate degree in environmental studies from Hobart & William Smith Colleges and is an active member of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Her clinical interests span the full arc of a pet’s life, from puppy and kitten visits to senior wellness and end-of-life care. She has a particular passion for preventive medicine, dermatology, and behavioral cases — the kinds of issues where a good conversation with a pet parent can change the trajectory of treatment. She’s proud to lead a team that brings the same thoughtfulness to every appointment and to serve the Hickory community with wellness care, hospitalization, and emergency services.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Barkley spends as much time outdoors as North Carolina weather allows, often taking day trips to Lake Hickory with her husband, Chad, and their children. At home, she’s the proud pet parent of Carlito, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with strong opinions, and Cinderella, a cat who lives up to the drama of her name.