Clarrissa Porter, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Clarrissa Porter began her veterinary career January 2000. She matriculated through Fort Valley State University to receive an undergraduate degree of Veterinary Technology. During undergraduate school and after graduation, she was a veterinary technician for a general veterinary practice and a veterinary emergency center. After years in a technician role, she decided to return to school to fulfill her goal of becoming a doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In 2019, she graduated from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. While there, she was vice president of SAVMA and a member/fundraising chair for Omega Tau Sigma Fraternity, a veterinary community service organization.

She enjoys working with all species of companion animal, primarily dogs and cats. She has a particular interest in all aspects of wellness for small animals especially dentistry and dermatology. Dr. Porter is a team-oriented person who always brings great enthusiasm and supports the importance of wellness, for our furry family members and teammates within Veterinary Medicine. She has a God sent husband named William and an energetic, fun-loving 8-year-old son named Connor aka “Liam”. Her current fur babies include a 19-year-old cat named Jack , a 14-year-old cat named Scout and 2-year-old dog named Friday. In addition to Veterinary Medicine, her interests include being a foodie, woodworking, sewing, art, reading, traveling, being outdoors, and participating in civic activities with her sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Vernard L. Hodges, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Vernard Hodges, a proud graduate of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, is a fish biologist and veterinarian who practices on all types of animals in central Georgia, from koi to camels. Dr. Hodges is a founder of multiple successful veterinary hospitals, but he practices primarily at Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital in Bonaire, GA. Dr. Hodges and Critter Fixer were so successful, they caught the attention of the National Geographic Channel. He stars in a television show called “Critter Fixers: Country Vets” on National Geographic Wild and Disney+, which aired its fifth season in 2023. The show has received critical acclaim winning the 2022 Critics Choice Real TV Award as the Best Animal/Nature Show on TV.

Dr. Hodges considers himself a Renaissance man. Besides veterinary medicine, he loves dabbling in all types of enterprises. He operates the Critter Fixer Cattle Company, a ranching operation with over 100 head of Black Angus cattle. He started a real estate company in 2001that has grown to a multi-million-dollar business comprised of several apartment complexes and commercial properties. He started writing a real estate blog that ultimately led to his writing a bestselling book: “Bet on Yourself: From Zero to Millions.”

In addition to his businesses, Dr. Hodges loves giving back to his local community. In 2011, he started the Dr. Vernard Hodges “It Takes A Village” Foundation, a nonprofit charity organization that teaches children business skills. He believes that the best way to overcome socioeconomic disparity is to have multiple streams of income. In 2021, the Foundation launched the “Vet for a Day” program, which targets children aged 12-15 to help them gain the tools to enter the veterinary profession. Dr. Hodges and the Foundation partnered with the Zoetis Foundation in2022 to make Vet for a Day a nationwide program. To date, the program has visited over 15 cities. Dr. Hodges has won numerous awards for his business acumen and his community service. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and enjoys spending time with his three dogs and watching sports with his 19-year-old son, VJ.

Terrence Ferguson, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Terrence Ferguson is from Talbotton, Georgia, a small town located in the heart of the state.
Dr. Ferguson attended Fort Valley State College and Tuskegee University College of Veterinary
Medicine. While at Tuskegee, he was Class President for 3 years, and during his senior year, he
won the Small Animal Veterinary award from Pfizer for being the best small animal student. Dr.
Ferguson returned to Middle Georgia after graduating from Tuskegee. He and his partner, Dr.
Vernard Hodges, started Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital in May 1999 in Byron, Georgia.

After only 4 months in existence, they expanded to a new location in Bonaire, Georgia. Three
years later, the doctors bought land in Byron and Bonaire and built two new state-of-the-art
facilities. Today, Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospitals see over 20,000 patients each year. Critter
Fixer is showcased on its very own television show, “Critter Fixers: Country Vets” on Nat Geo
Wild, which is set to air its fifth season.

In addition to his work as veterinarian and television star, Dr. Ferguson makes time in his busy
schedule for his community. He is passionate about mentorship through athletics. He was one
of the founders of the Peach County Youth Association, an organization that focuses on
academics and athletics. He also runs Football Skill Development, a training and mentoring
program that services students from all surrounding areas. Dr. Ferguson coordinates a yearly
college tour for student athletes to visit college campuses across the country. In 2022, he
started T-Fergg One Yard at a Time Foundation with his son Terrence “TJ” Ferguson II, an
offensive lineman at the University of Alabama, to support youth and adult fitness through
enrichment programming, athletic engagement and outreach.

In June 2021, he and his partner launched their “Vet for a Day” initiative to attract middle and
high school students to the veterinary profession. Their program expanded to a nationwide
scale in 2022, and they will visit cities from Philadelphia to Las Vega to teach kids what it takes
to become veterinarians. The program is going strong in 2023 and has partnered with
universities, zoos and aquariums nationwide.
In his spare time, Dr. Ferguson likes to restore muscle cars. He is the co-owner of the Critter
Fixer Cattle Company, a ranching operation with over 100 head of Black Angus, and he owns
and operates a real estate company. He also spends time with his wife, Kimberly, a social
worker, and his two children, Terri Nicole and TJ. The Fergusons reside in Peach County with
their two dogs.