Meet Our Doctors
Jenifer Gustafson Hope, DVM
Dr. Hope, owner of HOPE Animal Medical Center, graduated from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania with a BS degree in Geology. She was commissioned in the Army and served in the Corps of Engineers. Upon completing her military obligation she graduated with honors from West Virginia University with a BS degree in Animal Science. She graduated from UGA College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. She enjoyed working in multiple practices and emergency hospitals and in April 1999 fulfilled her dream of building Hope Animal Medical Center.
For over 20 years, HOPE Animal Medical Center's philosophy of "Providing Exceptional Care For Exceptional Pets" has been a goal of Dr. Hope. Her primary interest is in surgery and she has over 25 years experience in laser surgery and endoscopic procedures.
In 2008 she joined the US Army reserves and proudly serves in the Veterinary Corps. She has been activated to serve on several missions and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
For over 20 years, HOPE Animal Medical Center's philosophy of "Providing Exceptional Care For Exceptional Pets" has been a goal of Dr. Hope. Her primary interest is in surgery and she has over 25 years experience in laser surgery and endoscopic procedures.
In 2008 she joined the US Army reserves and proudly serves in the Veterinary Corps. She has been activated to serve on several missions and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Dr. Jeni completed her most recent deployment to Djibouti, Africa in continued support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Horn of Africa. We are extremely proud of the work that she accomplished while on deployment and are thankful for her safe return.
Sarah Clifton, DVM
Dr. Sarah Clifton was born in Norfolk, Virginia and raised in Blythewood, South Carolina. She attended University of South Carolina and received her Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. Following graduation, Sarah moved to Atlanta, GA where she entered a vigorous management training program at the prestigious Atlanta Athletic Club. During this time, she managed over 30 employees in planning and executing business and personal events.
After several years within the hospitality industry, Sarah had excelled within her position but felt that passion was lacking from her career. After careful consideration, she decided to make a drastic career change. Sarah had always had both a love for animals and medicine. Veterinary medicine instantly intrigued her and she set off to pursue this new career.
Dr. Clifton was accepted into the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2016. While attending veterinary school, she excelled in all of her studies and received yearly scholarships for her stellar GPA. She wore many hats during her studies including the title of Student Ambassador, Small Ruminant Club Treasurer, Large Animal Research Technician, Oconee Regional Humane Society Volunteer, wife, and mother. During her final year, she was inducted into Phi Zeta Honor Society. After 4 years of hard work, Sarah graduated magna cum laude and also received a certificate of proficiency in clinical pathology.
Although she enjoys all facets of veterinary medicine, she most enjoys ultrasonography, cardiology, dermatology, and complex internal medicine cases. Dr. Clifton focuses her annual continuing education on improving her ultrasound abilities of the chest and abdomen. She impresses upon her clients the importance of screening ultrasounds as a form of preventative medicine along with thorough yearly wellness examinations and complete blood work analysis.
As most veterinarians do, Dr. Clifton has a big spot in her heart for animals. She provides a loving home to 6 dogs, 2 cats, 4 chickens, and a pet mouse named Prince Rupert. When she is not working up a challenging case at Hope Animal Medical Center, she enjoys spending time at home with her husband and children.
After several years within the hospitality industry, Sarah had excelled within her position but felt that passion was lacking from her career. After careful consideration, she decided to make a drastic career change. Sarah had always had both a love for animals and medicine. Veterinary medicine instantly intrigued her and she set off to pursue this new career.
Dr. Clifton was accepted into the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2016. While attending veterinary school, she excelled in all of her studies and received yearly scholarships for her stellar GPA. She wore many hats during her studies including the title of Student Ambassador, Small Ruminant Club Treasurer, Large Animal Research Technician, Oconee Regional Humane Society Volunteer, wife, and mother. During her final year, she was inducted into Phi Zeta Honor Society. After 4 years of hard work, Sarah graduated magna cum laude and also received a certificate of proficiency in clinical pathology.
Although she enjoys all facets of veterinary medicine, she most enjoys ultrasonography, cardiology, dermatology, and complex internal medicine cases. Dr. Clifton focuses her annual continuing education on improving her ultrasound abilities of the chest and abdomen. She impresses upon her clients the importance of screening ultrasounds as a form of preventative medicine along with thorough yearly wellness examinations and complete blood work analysis.
As most veterinarians do, Dr. Clifton has a big spot in her heart for animals. She provides a loving home to 6 dogs, 2 cats, 4 chickens, and a pet mouse named Prince Rupert. When she is not working up a challenging case at Hope Animal Medical Center, she enjoys spending time at home with her husband and children.
Nicole Duncan, DVM
Dr. Nicole Duncan was born and raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She attended Newberry College in Newberry, SC, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. After graduation in 2015, she and her husband moved to Athens, GA, where she worked as a Veterinary Assistant at the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital. During her time there, she worked in many specialty services but spent most of her time with the Ophthalmology Service. One of her favorite memories is participating in free eye exam screenings for service animals.
Dr. Duncan’s love for animals started at an early age, and she always dreamed of being a veterinarian. In 2017 that dream turned into reality when she was accepted into the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2021. While attending veterinary school, she was a mixed animal emphasis, completing classes and clinical rotations with both small and large animals. She enjoyed the opportunity to work with a variety of species. Dr. Duncan’s special interests within the veterinary field are client education, dermatology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, and surgery.
In her spare time, Dr. Duncan enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking up new recipes, being outdoors, and caring for her animals. She has a border collie mix named Vinci, a kitty cat named Stanley, a pig named Ziggy, and 11 chickens. She and her husband plan to add more critters to their family in the future.
Dr. Duncan is excited to be a part of the team and looks forward to building life-long relationships with clients and their four-legged family members.
Dr. Duncan’s love for animals started at an early age, and she always dreamed of being a veterinarian. In 2017 that dream turned into reality when she was accepted into the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2021. While attending veterinary school, she was a mixed animal emphasis, completing classes and clinical rotations with both small and large animals. She enjoyed the opportunity to work with a variety of species. Dr. Duncan’s special interests within the veterinary field are client education, dermatology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, and surgery.
In her spare time, Dr. Duncan enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking up new recipes, being outdoors, and caring for her animals. She has a border collie mix named Vinci, a kitty cat named Stanley, a pig named Ziggy, and 11 chickens. She and her husband plan to add more critters to their family in the future.
Dr. Duncan is excited to be a part of the team and looks forward to building life-long relationships with clients and their four-legged family members.
Kasey Stopp, DVM (Currently on sabbatical)
Dr. Kasey Stopp was born in rural Illinois, but spent most of her life in Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended the University of Cincinnati where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Dr. Stopp went on to manage the customer service divisions of several Fortune 500 companies, but her childhood dream of being a veterinarian never died. Because of this, she consistently worked part-time for animal hospitals while continuing her career in business.
Further inspired by her long-time veterinary mentor, Dr. Stopp returned to school to complete the required classes for application to veterinary school. After a job change relocated her family to Athens, she was accepted to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
While at UGA, she received several honors including a Certificate of Merit for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - an award presented to select fourth-year students who the small animal faculty feel have demonstrated exceptional proficiency in small animal medicine and surgery. She was also selected as a Student Ambassador for the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Stopp has a special interest in integrative medicine – combining the benefits of traditional medicine with complimentary treatments such as chiropractic and acupuncture - and has attended hundreds of hours of specialized training in order to offer those modalities to her patients.
In August of 2013, Dr. Stopp attended Options for Animals College of Chiropractic in Wellsville, Kansas for advanced training in veterinary chiropractic techniques. After extensive written and practical testing, she was certified in animal chiropractic by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association.
In June of 2015, Dr. Stopp finished her training in veterinary acupuncture at the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida. Following six months of study and practice, she successfully completed written and practical testing to become a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist.
Away from the clinic, Dr. Stopp enjoys hiking, traveling, scuba diving, reading, and spending time with her family. She lives in Athens with her husband, son, three dogs, and one cat.
Dr. Kasey Stopp was born in rural Illinois, but spent most of her life in Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended the University of Cincinnati where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Dr. Stopp went on to manage the customer service divisions of several Fortune 500 companies, but her childhood dream of being a veterinarian never died. Because of this, she consistently worked part-time for animal hospitals while continuing her career in business.
Further inspired by her long-time veterinary mentor, Dr. Stopp returned to school to complete the required classes for application to veterinary school. After a job change relocated her family to Athens, she was accepted to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
While at UGA, she received several honors including a Certificate of Merit for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - an award presented to select fourth-year students who the small animal faculty feel have demonstrated exceptional proficiency in small animal medicine and surgery. She was also selected as a Student Ambassador for the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Stopp has a special interest in integrative medicine – combining the benefits of traditional medicine with complimentary treatments such as chiropractic and acupuncture - and has attended hundreds of hours of specialized training in order to offer those modalities to her patients.
In August of 2013, Dr. Stopp attended Options for Animals College of Chiropractic in Wellsville, Kansas for advanced training in veterinary chiropractic techniques. After extensive written and practical testing, she was certified in animal chiropractic by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association.
In June of 2015, Dr. Stopp finished her training in veterinary acupuncture at the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida. Following six months of study and practice, she successfully completed written and practical testing to become a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist.
Away from the clinic, Dr. Stopp enjoys hiking, traveling, scuba diving, reading, and spending time with her family. She lives in Athens with her husband, son, three dogs, and one cat.
1150 MITCHELL BRIDGE ROAD • ATHENS, GA 30606 • PHONE: 706-546-7879 • FAX: 706-546-1992