Meet our Staff
Dr. Jeff Creamer, Veterinarian, Owner
I was born in Albany, Georgia. My parents moved to a farm near Griffin, Georgia when I was two. Though my parents were school teachers, we maintained a farm of nearly forty acres and had cows, pigs, chickens, geese, etc. This is where I first became interested in the care of animals. I attended the University of Georgia where I met my wonderful wife, Tammi, a pharmacist. After graduation, we both practiced in Jonesboro, Georgia where I was mentored by Dr. Donald McMillian. He taught me valuable lessons about how to provide the very best care possible for my patients. In 1999, we moved to Valdosta and purchased Baytree Animal Hospital. Realizing I needed a partner, I asked my roommate from veterinary school to join me and Dr. Knight and I have been practicing together ever since. My professional interests include internal and preventative medicine. Tammi and I are fortunate to have two wonderful children who are very active. Evan is an Eagle Scout and attends Valdosta State University. Sarah is very involved in dance and enjoys modern and ballet the most. She attends the University of Georgia. My hobbies include college football, outdoor adventures, and flying. We have season tickets to see the Dawgs play and enjoy the pilgrimage back to Athens each year. Additionally, I am involved in Boy Scouts where I serve as the assistant scoutmaster with troop 415. Outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, and canoeing are always enjoyed as time will allow. We attend Park Avenue United Methodist Church where we have been members for over 19 years. My extended family includes Hazel, a miniature schnauzer, and Layla our rescue kitty.
Dr. Michael Knight, Veterinarian, Owner
I was born in Oscoda, Michigan while my dad was stationed at Wurtsmith AFB. I moved to Valdosta in September, 2000 to purchase Baytree Animal Hospital along with one of my roommates from veterinary school, Dr. Jeff Creamer. When my dad was stationed at Moody AFB, I was able to visit with my grandparents quite often. I always enjoyed feeding the pigs, chickens, cows and horses with my grandfather. I remember deciding that I wanted to be a veterinarian while on my grandfather's farm. I enrolled at the University of Georgia in the Fall of 1986. After finishing undergraduate school, I was accepted into UGA's College of Veterinary Medicine and earned my DVM degree in the Spring of 1993. I enjoy interacting with our staff to educate our clients and help their pets. I have a special interest in ultrasonography, non-invasive surgery and long term pain management. My family consists of my wife Lisa, son Tyler and daughter Sydney. Our present pets include Tyler's dog Carly (a Beagle mix), Sydney's dog Roxanne (a Boxer) and Sydney's dwarf hamster that Santa brought named Chloe. My biggest interests outside of veterinary medicine involve aviation which has been fostered by my dad's flying career first in the Air Force and later in commercial aviation. I took up flying model airplanes in 2001 which drove my interest to earn a private pilot's certificate in July 2005. Currently, I have a single engine land airplane endorsement. I hope to begin training for my instrument rating soon. I would like to own my on own airplane someday.
Ashley, Team Member
Ashley moved to Valdosta from middle Georgia and joined our family in July of 2017. She has had animals her whole life including dogs, cats, horses, hamsters, and and occasional eclectic addition. She currently has a jack russell named Caia, a pitbull named Larry, and three rats named Monkey, Chief, and Comanche. Ashley has worked in the animal field for years. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, bonfires, and hanging out with friends.
Charlene, Team Member
Charlene is from Minnesota but moved to Valdosta GA when her father was stationed at Moody and has now spent the better half of her life right here. She joined the Baytree team in October of 2018 and spent two years as a Veterinary assistant. She has a horse named Reno, a boston named Ramsey, 4 cats, Grimm, AJ, Romeo, and Drogo, and several koi fish. She has had fur babies her whole life including goats, snakes, guinea pigs, rabbits and birds. She is an active volunteer for the animal shelter and the TNR of Valdosta program. She was married in 2013 and has four beautiful step daughters. In her spare time she loves to ride her horse, spend time with her large family and her and her husband are always elbow deep in some restoration project around their home and yard. Her passion for animals is apparent in her work every day.
Claudia, Team Member
Claudia is from Santiago Chile and moved to Miami with her family in 1999. She moved to Valdosta and joined the Baytree family in March of 2019. She has been working in the veterinary field since 2015 and in the animal field since 2010. She has two dogs named Zorro and Stella who they are the best doggos in the world! Claudia enjoys traveling, attending rock concerts, and bike riding during her free time.
Jen, Team Member
Jen is from Maryland and moved to Valdosta when she was 13 years old. She joined the Baytree family in July of 2017 and has worked as a Veterinary Assistant for more than three years. She is also an active volunteer with the Lowndes County Humane Society is regularly fosters new fur babies. She has three wonderful dogs named Bruce, Buddy, and Allie and two cats named Franklin and Louie. When not busy with her house full she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Eli, reading, and hanging out with her family.
Kristen, Receptionist
Kristen joined the Baytree staff in February 2015. She is originally from Moncks Corner, South Carolina. She received her B.S. degree in Veterinary Technology in 2003 from Newberry College, and over the years she has had the opportunity to work in a variety of areas within the veterinary field. She is also a registered therapeutic horseback riding instructor and enjoys spending her days at Jacob's Ladder Therapeutic Riding Center working with the amazing horses and individuals with special needs. She is passionate about the human-animal bond and believes in the life and healing that comes from our relationship with them. In her spare time she loves the outdoors, playing with horses and being with her family. She has two cats: Miss Kitty and Olive.
Jessica, Receptionist
Jessica was born and raised in Minnesota. Her fathers job working for Schwan's Ice Cream brought her to Valdosta from where she is a Valdosta High graduate. She started working for Baytree in 1997 and stayed with us for 10 years before leaving to work in the medical insurance field and she came back to us in March of 2019. Jessica has 3 children, 1 dog, 1 cat, several goats, and a handful of chickens. In her free time she enjoys spending it with her family, volunteering, reading, and her new hobby of knitting!
Penny, Kennel
Penny joined our kennel staff in October, 2009. She moved here from Oregon where she worked for Virginia Woof Dog Daycare. She is the mother of two daughters and grandmother of three grandchildren. Her constant companions are a 13 year old Powder Puff Crested named Magic, and an 2 year old Pekingese mix named Susie Q. She also adopted 2 cats, Annabelle and Lucky, who are 6 years old. Penny grew up in Florida and handled all sorts of wildlife while living there. She has always had a very unique gift of communication with animals. We call her the "dog whisperer". In her spare time Penny enjoys crocheting, crafts, music, reading, traveling with her family, and taking care of other peoples animals.