Your Neighborhood Vet: Why We Do What We Do
December 26th 2025
At Bluff Park Animal Clinic, our work is more than just a job. We don’t simply clock in and clock out—it’s a mission, a responsibility, and truly a calling. Every day, we have the privilege of caring for pets who are deeply loved members of your family, and we never take that lightly.
This article offers a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of Bluff Park Animal Clinic—the values, history, and purpose that guide everything we do.
We love what we do. Caring for animals isn’t just about medicine; it’s about trust, compassion, and relationships. When you bring your pet through our doors, you’re trusting us with someone who means the world to you. That trust shapes every decision we make, from routine wellness visits to complex medical care.
Our goal has always been simple: to provide excellent veterinary care while treating every pet as if they were our own.
Our Values at Bluff Park Animal Clinic
Locally Owned and Community Focused
Unlike many medical facilities today, Bluff Park Animal Clinic has not been bought out by a corporate entity. We are proudly locally owned. We live and work right alongside you in the same community—we are truly your neighbors.
Because of that, it means a great deal to us to get to know you, your families, and your furry family members on a personal level.
Family-Owned With a Longstanding Legacy
Since 1972, Bluff Park Animal Clinic has been caring for sick animals, promoting responsible pet ownership, and supporting preventative health care through client education.
The clinic was established by Dr. James M. Erwin and continues today under the direction of Dr. Eric Skocelas, who joined the practice in 2002 and purchased it from Dr. Erwin in 2017.
Our story was even featured in From the Ground Up: Birmingham’s Business History, A Legacy of Giving (2023)—a testament to the roots and relationships that have shaped our clinic over the decades.
Service-Driven Care
We consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to provide the best possible care for every pet we see. Every recommendation and medical decision we make is guided by one question: What is best for this pet?
We approach veterinary medicine as if each patient were a member of our own family, always striving to deliver thoughtful, compassionate, and high-quality care.
“Veterinary medicine is more than a career; it is a calling. Which is why we seek to provide not only high-quality veterinary care, but to do so with compassion, understanding that we are not just treating someone’s pet, but a member of their family. It is a great honor and privilege to be entrusted with the care of a small part of God’s vast creation.”
–Dr. Skocelas
Customer-Focused, Always
We value face-to-face interactions and work hard to keep things simple, personal, and welcoming in our clinic. When you’re here, you’re part of the family. We believe strong relationships and clear communication are just as important as excellent medical care.
Honored by Our Community
We’re proud to share that Bluff Park Animal Clinic has been recognized as the 2025 Best of Hoover Award Winner in the Veterinary Clinic category—for the second year in a row.
This honor was analyzed and certified by Business Rate and is based entirely on customer satisfaction, which makes it especially meaningful to us. Caring for your pets and earning your trust is truly at the heart of everything we do.
As one recent Google reviewer shared:
“Wish I could give more than 5 stars. I can’t say enough about the kindness of the staff, and especially how great Dr. Skocelas is. He really seems to care for our little guys as much as we do, which must be hard to do when this is all you do every day.”
–Jennifer
Thank You for Trusting Us
To our clients—thank you for trusting us with your beloved pets. We are honored to be part of their lives and yours, and we look forward to continuing to serve this community for many years to come.
If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello.
We’re your neighborhood vet.