Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eva Evans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Eva, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

It was May, 2014 and I was on a flight from Nashville to Portland, OR for a half marathon race with my mom. I was unhappy in my current associate ER doctor position at a local Pet ER in Nashville, and I was ready for a change in me career. I had just bought a house a few months before, and Nashville has always been home, so I did not want to move out of state again. I knew that moving from an overnight ER position to a daytime general practice associate position would be a lateral move at best. I had been out of school for 3 years and was ready to tackle the biggest project of my life – starting a brand new veterinary practice from the ground up. I made a business plan on the back of a beverage napkin on that flight with my mom next to me asking questions about who my target clients would be, what part of town I wanted to put my practice, what my “why” was and how I was going to do it. From there, it took me 23 months to go step-by-step through the process of creating and opening my brand new veterinary practice, City Pets Animal Care, in the Germantown neighborhood of Nashville, TN

During COVID, I started to learn more about herbal medicine and more holisitic healing options. I began to see a new trend emerge in human health that was leading us back to a more balanced state of health integrating both traditional Western therapeutics and diagnostics along with ancient Eastern medicine practices. I knew that I wanted to provide this to pets here in Nashville, and so I spent nearly 4 years researching, learning, finding a new location and building a brand new concept practice called Alitura Veterinary Care.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Dr. Eva Evans, a veterinarian with a deep passion for integrative, whole-pet wellness. My journey into veterinary medicine began with a lifelong love of animals and a desire to blend science with nature’s healing wisdom. Over the years, I’ve built a career around helping pets thrive through a balance of modern medical care and holistic therapies including acupuncture, herbal medicine, laser therapy, nutrition, advanced diagnostics, surgery and preventive care.

After founding City Pets Animal Care in 2017, I recognized a growing need for a truly integrative approach, one that honors both conventional and natural modalities. That vision inspired Alitura Veterinary Care, a name derived from the Latin word meaning “to nourish.” Alitura embodies the philosophy that optimal pet health comes from nourishing the body, mind, and spirit through thoughtful, compassionate medicine. We understand that our physical health is directly tied to our spiritual, mental and emotional health, and when one is out of balance, it affects all of the others.

At Alitura, we provide comprehensive care for dogs, cats, and rabbits while addressing everything from allergies and chronic pain to preventive wellness, surgery, chronic disease management, cardiology, ophthalmology, neurology and dermatology. We also offer telehealth consultations for pet owners across the country who seek a more natural approach guided by an experienced veterinarian.

What sets us apart is our dedication to truly listening to pets, to their people, and to what the body is communicating beneath the surface. We blend diagnostic precision with traditional tried-and-true therapeutics along with gentle, natural interventions that support long-term vitality.

I’m most proud of creating a space where animals feel calm, owners feel seen, and healing feels possible. Every treatment plan is crafted with empathy, education, and empowerment in mind. At its heart, Alitura Veterinary Care isn’t just a clinic, it’s a movement toward a more mindful and compassionate model of veterinary medicine, one that helps pets live longer, happier, and more balanced lives.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a veterinary team is about far more than scheduling and task lists, it’s about cultivating trust, purpose, and belonging. At both City Pets Animal Care and Alitura Veterinary Care, I’ve learned that morale thrives when people feel seen, supported, and part of something meaningful. My advice is to lead with transparency and empathy: communicate clearly, celebrate small wins, and take time to understand what motivates each team member. I also make it a point to teach all of my team members to think and problem solve on their own. Medicine is just one big puzzle to figure out, and I find that my nursing and assistant team members feel more engaged when they are encouraged to help problem solve for patients and clients, rather than just following orders from a doctor. The entire team is expected to be part of the solution, and we promote a very equal environment where everyone not only has the right to speak up but is encouraged to challenge others when it comes to care, and the reason for that in medicine is because humans CAN make mistakes! In “people medicine” (as opposed to veterinary medicine), human error is a leading cause of death in hospitals. We support a team that is confident in their skills and knowledge and is willing and able to double check each other and the doctors to prevent mistakes. This is incredibly important in medicine because we are often dealing with life-or-death situations, and having a team that is empowered to speak up when something feels off saves lives.

In a profession that can be both rewarding and emotionally demanding, I focus on creating an environment where my team feels grounded and appreciated. We assume good intent with each other, encourage continuing education, and make space for laughter and recovery amidst the intensity of clinical work. When employees know their wellbeing matters as much as the patients’, they naturally show up with more heart.

High morale doesn’t happen by accident, it’s built through consistency, care, and a shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Opening my first clinic, City Pets Animal Care, taught me what resilience truly means. I started with a small space, a big vision, and a belief that cutting edge medicine and compassionate care could change lives. There were countless challenges including permits delayed, equipment backordered, construction setbacks, and long stressful nights wondering if I’d taken on too much debt and how I would ever be able to pay it back to the bank. As the practice grew, I started to believe in my own success that I could create a place where pets and their people could feel cared for on every level.

Years later, launching Alitura Veterinary Care during a time of rising costs and interest rates and economic uncertainty brought those lessons full circle. I leaned on experience, faith, and the unshakable belief that healing work, when done with integrity and heart, always finds its footing. Resilience, for me, is about staying connected to purpose, even when the path bends. Every challenge became a teacher, and each one reaffirmed that the best things we build come from perseverance, love, and service. It has not been an easy road, and I would still do it all over again!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.citypetsanimalcare.com and www.alituravet.com
• Instagram: @citypets_nash and @alituraveterinarycare
• Facebook: City Pets Animal Care and Alitura Veterinary Care
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-m-evans

Image Credits

Tausha Dickinson