Proudly serving Middlesboro and the Cumberland Gap region since 1972, Bell County Animal Clinic has provided dependable, practical veterinary care for pets and families across the Kentucky-Virginia-Tennessee tri-state community for over 50 years.
Finding the right vet isn’t just about services. It’s about knowing who you can call when something worries you about your pet. Most people want a place that feels familiar, where the team remembers you and takes time to explain what’s going on.
Bell County Animal Clinic has been part of this community since 1972, caring for pets and their owners throughout the Cumberland Gap region and surrounding tri-state area. Our team brings decades of hands-on experience, but we keep our approach simple and approachable so visits feel comfortable, not overwhelming.
We see more than just dogs and cats. Our doctors regularly care for birds, reptiles, and pocket pets, and we provide everything from routine wellness visits and diagnostics to urgent care, surgery, allergy treatment, and laser therapy. Whenever your pet needs us, we’re here to help.
Proactive exams, personalized vaccine plans, parasite prevention, and in-house lab testing help us identify small problems early — before they become painful or expensive. Preventive care is one of the most important ways we help pets live longer, healthier lives.
From soft tissue procedures and laser surgery to dental cleanings and extractions, we focus on safety, pain control, and a smooth recovery. Our team carefully monitors your pet before, during, and after every procedure.
Whether your pet stays for the day or overnight, they remain in a supervised veterinary setting. If medication is needed or a concern develops during their stay, care is immediately available.
Dr. Mark Watson is a native of Ft. Payne, AL and graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. After practicing veterinary medicine in Alabama for a short time, he moved to Middlesboro in 1983 to work with Dr. C. C. Mickey at Bell County Animal Clinic.
Dr. Watson purchased Bell County Animal Clinic from Dr. & Mrs. Mickey in 1990. He and his wife have raised their family here for over 40 years and say they feel very much at home in the mountains of southeast Kentucky.
Dr. Ann Combs-Gaines was born in Pineville and recently moved to Ewing, VA where she and her family now reside. Dr. Combs-Gaines graduated from Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. She is an experienced clinician and has practiced in Harlan, KY, Beaufort, SC as well as here in Middlesboro. Dr. Combs-Gaines has a special interest in internal medicine, and is known for her sincere dedication to her patients and their well-being.
Dr. Qiana Carpenter is originally from Baxter, KY and attended the University of the Cumberlands prior to moving to Alabama to attend veterinary school. She graduated from the Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009 and practiced in the Atlanta area before moving back to this area to be closer to home. She has a special interest in exotic animal medicine.
Dr. Carpenter now resides in Middlesboro with her husband Shannon, and they share their home with four children.
Dr. Charity Howard joined the Bell County Animal Clinic in 2021. She is an Englewood, Florida native and she is also a 2010 graduate of Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine. While visiting friends in Harrogate, Tennessee, she fell in love with the area. She sold her practice in Brooksville, Florida and moved to Rose Hill, Virginia. She met her husband Brandon and they now reside in Speedwell, Tennessee with Misha, a Brussels Griffon; Ben, a highly active golden retriever puppy and Darth Kittious, a Munchkin.
Your first visit includes a thorough exam, a review of your pet’s medical history, and clear recommendations tailored to their needs. We take time to answer your questions so you leave feeling confident about your pet’s care.
Yes. We offer urgent care appointments during regular business hours for pets experiencing sudden illness, injury, or discomfort. If your pet isn’t acting like themselves, call us and we’ll help guide you on next steps.
Boarding at a veterinary hospital means your pet is monitored by trained staff. If your pet needs medication, has an existing condition, or develops a concern during their stay, medical care is immediately available.
Yes. We offer a $75 new client special and a $25 referral credit as a thank-you for trusting us and recommending us to friends and family.
