About Us

Learn More About Smalley's Animal Hospital

A Brief Telling of Our History

Smalley’s Animal Hospital is one of the oldest veterinary practices in our area. Dr. James L. Smalley began practicing veterinary medicine from a small office in downtown Dublin, above what is now Carrol’s Boot Store.

In those days, veterinary practice was almost all limited to large-animal calls on farms. Pigs, cows, and mules were the name of the game back then, as our area was much more dependent on the family farm than it is today. A man’s mule was his tractor, his pigs were his meat market, and if he was lucky, he had a dairy cow for butter, cheese, and fresh milk.

A problem with any of them meant big problems for the whole family. Dr. Smalley was there to answer those needs.

Dr. James L. Smalley had three sons: Daryl, Frarie, and James L. Jr. (Jimmy). All three of the boys would follow in their father’s footsteps to become veterinarians. In 1946, in conjunction with his son, Frarie, and help from the GI Bill of World War II, Dr. Smalley built the current building that now houses Smalley’s Animal Hospital. It was built of sturdy brick and mortar and had a very unique, neon sign out front showcasing the Smalley name and Dr. Smalley’s favorite English Pointer. Over the years and at various times, Dr. James L., Jimmy, Daryl, and Frarie all made a living practicing veterinary medicine out of this building.

Dr. Jimmy Smalley was the last of the family to practice veterinary medicine at Smalley’s Animal Hospital. He passed away in 1993 of an unexpected heart attack, ending a 50+ year reign of the Smalley family as local veterinarians. Despite the loss of its founders, the Smalley’s Animal Hospital practice carries on stronger and busier than ever.

With Dr. Jimmy’s passing in 1993 and no family member to take his place, the practice was sold to Dr. Fred Cullens of Sandersville. It just so happened that Dr. Cullens had a college student, Jim Hobby, working with him on farm calls that summer who was about to start his freshman year at UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine in only a few weeks.

On a handshake agreement in a rural cow lot, Jim agreed to come to work with Dr. Cullens after his completion of veterinary college and keep Smalley's Animal Hospital going. While Jim was away at college, Dr. Cullens hired a young veterinarian, Matt Masters, of Albany.

Cullens and Masters worked together until 1997. At that time, Dr. Masters went home to open his own practice, and new graduate Dr. Jim Hobby filled the void left by Matt. Jim, along with his new wife Dr. Peggy Bradburn Hobby, went on to purchase the practice from Dr. Cullens in 2000. Jim and Dr. Cullens remain good friends to this day.
Dr. Jim

Get to know Dr. Jim

Dr. Jim Hobby was born and raised in the rural Buckeye community of Johnson County. He graduated from Johnson County High School in 1988. After two years at Georgia Southern University, Jim attended the University of Georgia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Animal Science). In 1997, he graduated from the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. It was there that Jim met Peggy Lynn Bradburn, who was in the class ahead of him. Jim came to work at Smalley’s Animal Hospital soon after graduation and purchased the practice in 2000 with his new wife, Peggy. Since that time and through his work at the practice, Jim has had the privilege of getting to know hundreds of the people of Laurens, Johnson, Treutlen, Wheeler, Washington, and Wilkinson Counties as well as their animals, both large and small.

When Dr. Hobby is not working, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. Growing up in the farmlands between the Oconee and Ohoopee rivers, like most country kids, Jim developed a love for hunting and fishing at an early age. Hounds, pointers, setters, labs, feists, and curs usually took some part of his outings as a youngster and still do as a grown man. Besides his local outdoor treks, Jim enjoys fishing in coastal Georgia and Florida, wildlife art, reading local history, and most of all, spending time with folks who enjoy the same things

Get to know Dr. Peggy

Dr. Peggy Hobby grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, where her parents still reside. She is married to Dr. Jim Hobby and they have one son, Jacob. She has one younger brother who lives in Tennessee.

Dr. Peggy earned a BS in biology from Furman University. She attended the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1996. She met Dr. Jim in veterinary school and they married in 1999. They purchased Smalley’s Animal Hospital in 2000. Since then, the practice has grown from a 1½-doctor practice to a busy 4-doctor practice.

Dr. Peggy sees mostly small animals with an occasional exotic pet thrown in the mix. Her own menagerie changes constantly, depending on who is being fostered at the time. “BJ," the long-haired calico, and “Stinkle," the ancient Chihuahua, are the current indoor babies.

While Dr. Peggy spends her mornings at Smalley’s Animal Hospital, most of her afternoons are spent being a mom to Jacob – homework, ball practice, etc. This balancing act is her biggest challenge, but it's one she loves! She currently attends First Methodist Church in Wrightsville. She is involved with an awesome group of ladies in a Bible study group that meets weekly in Dublin. She is affiliated with Christian Veterinary Mission and experienced a veterinary-related mission trip to India in the summer of 2012.
Dr. Peggy
Dr. Michelle

Get to know Dr. Michelle

Dr. Michelle Hubbard grew up in Dublin and graduated from Dublin High School in 1988. She attended the University of Georgia and received a BS in zoology. She remained at UGA and earned her DVM in 1996. She received awards for internal medicine and compassionate care for small and large animals.

After graduating, she practiced in Jacksonville, FL and then moved to Italy for several years. Dr. Michelle has been a veterinarian for Smalley’s Animal Hospital since 2005. In addition to small-animal medicine, she provides the ultrasound service for our hospital.

Outside of private practice, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She currently serves as a board member for WING’S, our local women’s shelter.

Make sure your pet gets the level of care they deserve by coming to Smalley's Animal Hospital. Contact us today for veterinary services for your pet.
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