Jessica Noel decided at the age of 4 that she wanted to be a veterinarian. “It was a long road,” she said, but after graduating from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006, her dream became reality.

Noel and her husband moved to the Ann Arbor area four years ago, and after years of working the overnight shift in a local emergency vet clinic, she noted a need for veterinary care in the south area of Ann Arbor, near their Ypsilanti Township home.

“The Ann Arbor area is unique in that it has a large number of pet owners," Noel said. "A demographic study revealed there is a high pet population, and a need for veterinary care in the area south of Ann Arbor.”

In early May, Noel plans to fill that need by opening South Arbor Animal Hospital.

South Arbor will be a full-service veterinary medical facility at 4033 Carpenter Road in Ypsilanti. The 2,300 square-foot clinic, at the corner of Carpenter and Ellsworth in the Arbor Square Plaza, will have two exam rooms, a full pharmacy, an in-house lab, surgery suite, dental services and X-ray.

Dr. Noel will be the sole veterinarian, working with two technicians to run a practice that will be open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with evening appointments available on Mondays.

Noel says the community will benefit from the new facility. “Our main concern is to educate our clients on appropriate preventative medicine to avoid things like obesity, parasites, infectious disease and to diagnose organ disease early,” she explained via email. “We want our pets to live long and healthy lives!”

Noel cares for two cats, a dog and two sons at home, but says she’s willing to accommodate house calls for homebound clients or sensitive issues like euthanasia.

South Arbor Animal Hospital has an open house planned for May 6, from 11-4 p.m.

“Our grand opening will be a time for prospective clients to come and tour our space, find out what we can do for their pets, and meet our staff," she said. "We'll have goody bags and balloons for clients to take home. An assortment of door prizes can be won also. There will be an assortment of snacks for the pets and their people alike.”