[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 140 (Thursday, August 5, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING SOUTHCENTRAL VETERINARY SERVICES

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on 
Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an 
outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize 
Southcentral Veterinary Services, a family-owned small business in 
Bowling Green, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
  In 2011, Dr. Eddie Grimes and his wife, Nicole Grimes, founded 
Southcentral Veterinary Services--SVS--in Bowling Green, KY. Growing up 
in Warren County, Dr. Grimes and Nicole were childhood friends and both 
attended Western Kentucky University--WKU--where Dr. Grimes majored in 
animal science and Nicole studied finance. The couple, high school 
sweethearts, married after graduating from WKU in 2000. Dr. Grimes went 
on to earn his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Auburn University 
and worked as a veterinarian for a few years before moving back to 
Bowling Green. With Nicole, who had experience in the banking industry, 
by his side, Dr. Grimes established Southcentral Veterinary Services.
  Today, Southcentral Veterinary Services provides exceptional mixed 
animal care in Warren County, KY. Initially, Dr. Grimes worked out of 
his truck and provided ambulatory veterinary services; however, the 
business grew quickly and expanded to a physical location that provides 
grooming and boarding services, in addition to veterinary care. Being 
very hands on with the daily operations at SVS, in addition to being 
co-owners, Dr. Grimes is one of the veterinarians, and Nicole is the 
human resource manager. Together, they lead a team of more than 10 
employees, including a second veterinarian, to meet the animal needs of 
the community. Since opening its doors, Southcentral Veterinary 
Services has been recognized by local and industry publications for its 
outstanding, high-quality veterinary care. Furthermore, for the last 3 
years, Southcentral Veterinary Services was recognized as Bowling 
Green's Best Veterinarian, and in 2020, SVS earned the title of Bowling 
Green's Best Pet Groomer.
  Outside of being business owners, Dr. Grimes and Nicole can be found 
giving back to their community. Southcentral Veterinary Services has 
sponsored local youth sports teams and regularly hires local high 
school and college students, providing training and mentoring to 
students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. One of 
these students is the Grimes' son, Garrett, who works part-time as a 
veterinary assistant and one day aspires to follow in his father's 
footsteps becoming a veterinarian himself. Dr. Grimes and Nicole's 
charitable acts don't stop at mentoring students. Notably, the Grimes 
established 4AnnieGirl, an organization dedicated to raising awareness 
of Spinal Muscular Atrophy--SMA--after their second child, Annie, who 
was born with SMA, passed away from the terminal disease that causes 
weakness and loss of voluntary muscles. After cherishing 9 precious 
months with their baby girl, the Grimes sought to help other families 
affected by this disease by promoting early testing, research, and 
fundraising to combat SMA through 4AnnieGirl. By hosting speaking 
engagements and fundraisers, 4AnnieGirl has raised over $30,000 for SMA 
research and awareness. To honor Annie's memory, the Grimes family 
remains committed to raising awareness for SMA and to advocating for 
more research.
  Southcentral Veterinary Services is a remarkable example of the 
positive role that family-owned small businesses play in their 
communities. Local veterinary practices, like Southcentral Veterinary 
Services, form the heart of towns across Kentucky, regularly stepping 
up to support their communities. Congratulations to Dr. Grimes, Nicole, 
and the entire team at Southcentral Veterinary Services. I wish SVS the 
best of luck, and I look forward to watching this small business' 
continued growth and success in Kentucky.

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