Julie Best Grimes, DVM, CVA

Dr. Grimes grew up in Anniston, AL, owning an array of animals that ranged from cats to horses. She attended Auburn University, where she graduated in 1982 from the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine. She began practicing in Birmingham, AL, in 1984 and made her purchase of Altadena Valley Animal Clinic in 1995. In 2008, Dr. Grimes expanded her practice into the neighboring building, producing 8 luxurious doggy suites, a spacious new cat boarding area, and a cat playroom. In 2023, Dr. Grimes continued her veterinary education at Chi University, studying Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and completing the Veterinary Acupuncture course, fulfilling all requirements to be recognized as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist.

What Dr. Grimes loves about her job as a veterinarian is building long-term relationships with her clients, human and animal. She loves treating pets from puppies and kittens all the way to their geriatric stages of life. In her free time, Dr. Grimes loves watching Hallmark movies, seasonally decorating her home, and spending time with her husband, 3 children, their spouses, and 3 grandchildren. Of course, Dr. Grimes has animal children as well. She currently owns Lucky Lou, a goofy, tailless black cat; Dinah, a sassy black cat; Isadora, a quirky tortoiseshell; and Smokey, a dachshund who loves to dig holes in the backyard. She also frequently babysits her grand dogs: two French bulldogs and a lab mix.

Dr. Grimes is a member of the Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Association, Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and the World Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.