Dr. Jody Downhill: A Life Devoted to Healing Animals and Building a Legacy

Who Is Dr. Jody Downhill?

Dr. Jody Downhill’s story begins in Southern California, where her lifelong bond with animals first took root. “I’ve always had a special way with animals,” she says. Growing up surrounded by dogs, cats, horses—and even a tortoise and a sparrow hawk—Dr. Jody’s home was a small menagerie. That early connection would shape her life’s work.

Today, she is the owner and sole Practicing Veterinarian at Fallbrook Veterinary Clinic in Woodland Hills, California, a thriving practice she’s grown since 2003. Her journey from young equestrienne to respected business owner offers a model of dedication, grit, and genuine care.

Early Life: Horses, Hard Work, and Heart

Born and raised in Southern California, Dr Jody’s childhood was filled with both discipline and adventure. Her father, Lt. Col. Jack E. Downhill, flew in the Normandy invasion during World War II and later earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from MIT. Her mother, Gwen, hailed from Lancaster, Ontario, and supported her daughter’s early passion for animals.

“I grew up riding horses in the Pony Club,” she recalls. Competing in three-day events and hunter-jumpers, she developed not only skill but patience and courage—qualities that would later define her veterinary career.

When she wasn’t at the stables, she was in the surf or on the slopes. “I also enjoyed body surfing and snow skiing,” she says. Those hobbies taught her balance—something she’d later rely on while managing the dual demands of medicine and entrepreneurship.

Education and the Road to Veterinary Medicine

Dr Jody’s path wasn’t easy or handed to her. She put herself through school by waitressing, a job that sharpened her empathy and communication skills. “My waitressing prepared me for working with my patients and their owners,” she explains. “I enjoy the service industry—it’s about helping people.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine, she attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her ECFVG internship at Oklahoma State University. Those years built not just her medical expertise but her resilience.

“I love helping animals,” she says. “I’ve dedicated my life to it.”

From Emergency Rooms to Entrepreneurship

Before opening her own practice, Dr.Jody worked at VCA Berwyn Animal Hospital in Illinois as an overnight emergency doctor—a role that taught her to make tough calls under pressure. The experience was formative. “There’s no room for hesitation when an animal’s life is on the line,” she reflects.

In 2003, she purchased Fallbrook Veterinary Clinic from Dr. Sam Thomas. “Owning my own clinic was a dream come true,” she says. But it came with challenges. Managing a team, caring for patients, and running a business required long hours, dedication.,and sacrifice.

“Being a business owner and a veterinarian at the same time is very challenging,” she admits. “There are often late nights and no days off. But when you love what you do, it’s worthwhile.”

Growing Fallbrook Veterinary Clinic

In 2011 , Dr. Jody moved the clinic to a larger location on Fallbrook Avenue in Woodland Hills to meet growing demand.

“I’ve seen many pets from their first visits as puppies or kittens all the way through their senior years,” she says. “And now, I’m seeing the kids who grew up in those families bringing in their own pets. That’s incredibly rewarding.”

Her approach combines preventative care with a deep personal connection. She treats “just about anything, Her patients include everything from dogs and cats, pocket pets, birds, horses and other farm animals.…—a reflection of her wide-ranging expertise and compassion.

Leadership and Philosophy in Veterinary Care

Dr. Jody Downhill’s leadership style mirrors her philosophy as a doctor: direct, hands-on, and grounded in empathy. She believes every interaction—with pets or people—is an opportunity to make things better.

“I believe in preventative medicine,” she emphasizes. “Helping animals avoid illness is just as important as treating it.”

Her perspective as a small business owner also shapes how she leads her team. “You have to care about your staff the way you care about your patients,” she says. “When people feel valued, they give their best.”

Her ability to blend clinical precision with human connection has earned her respect from peers and clients alike.

Balancing Passion and Persistence

For Dr. Jody Downhill, success isn’t measured in numbers but in relationships and results. Her work often blurs the line between personal and professional life, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s been very rewarding to own my own clinic,” she says. “It’s also been rewarding to take care of my animal patients from just pups and kittens through adulthood—and to help them over the rainbow bridge when it’s time.”

That kind of long-term dedication is rare in any field. In hers, it’s exceptional.

Lessons in Leadership and Longevity

Dr. Jody Downhill’s story offers insight into what it takes to sustain a business rooted in compassion. It’s not just about skill—it’s about stamina and sincerity.

She sums it up best herself: “When you love what you do, it’s worthwhile.”

From the barnyards of her youth to the exam rooms of Fallbrook Veterinary Clinic, that love has never faded. Instead, it’s grown—just like the legacy she continues to build, one patient at a time.