The Arlington Animal Clinic in northeast Shelby County has moved to its new building on Airline Road.

Dr. Monica Schoknecht’s full-service clinic, which primarily sees dogs and cats (but also has treated alpacas), touts complete medical, diagnostic and surgical services along with cutting-edge laser surgical procedures that reduce pain and recovery time for routine operations.

The clinic opened in Arlington in 2004 as a satellite office for VetPets Animal Hospital in Cordova. Six months later, the owner decided to sell it to Schoknecht. The original Arlington clinic measured only 500 square feet, and two alterations by 2006 expanded it to about 2,500 square feet.

“So, we rented in a little rundown building (at 11891 U.S. Highway 70) for the past 16 years,” she said. Late last month, the clinic moved to its new 7,000-square-foot building at 6010 Airline Road. Schoknecht bought the land for the building in 2015.

“We had some financial issues, so one of my backers backed out,” she said. “So, I had to reset. Because I’m single and only had one income, I was considered high risk for a loan.”

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She eventually worked with Patriot Bank and a silent partner and was able to secure the $1.5 million loan she needed to build the new clinic. Construction on the new building began in April of 2019, but due to construction and other issues, completion of the project took 18 months.

The new clinic expands the practice to five exam rooms with a large reception, waiting and retail area. A treatment area with four tables is available for examining sick animals and for performing surgeries, as well as a hospitalized area to house sick animals.

“We tripled our surgery suite area,” said Schoknecht. “We have indoor and outdoor runs for boarders, and we doubled our kennel space for grooming.”

Boarding animals will be something new for the clinic, since there was no room at the previous clinic. The new space can board close to 50 cats and dogs.

“We will start to board here probably after the first of the year,” said Schoknecht, who still needs to hire kennel staff.

The new larger space means a need for more people, and Schoknecht plans to pace the hiring for various positions over the next year. The clinic currently operates with a staff of six.

“The community is proud to see the growth for the Arlington Animal Clinic – there are many happy fur babies in Arlington due to Dr. Monica and her staff,” said Arlington Chamber of Commerce Director Tonia Howell. “We appreciate their commitment and service to the community, and we celebrate with them the opening of their new location.”

Schoknecht, who grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, attended Mississippi State University and still volunteers for HARP (Homeless Animal Relief Project) in Senatobia, Mississippi, is excited to continue to grow her business in Arlington.

“I love how Arlington is still small enough and personable enough,” said Schoknecht. “I like the family feel and closeness. I have multiple generations of families coming to see me, and it’s an honor that they trust me that much. Our motto is, ‘Come join our family.’ ”