Our Mission Statement:
At Steel City Emergency Vets, our mission is to deliver compassionate, innovative, and accessible emergency care for pets—day or night. Guided by unwavering integrity and driven by a deep passion for animals, we bring together cutting-edge veterinary technology and nearly two decades of expertise to provide high-quality, efficient, and affordable critical care. We are committed to supporting pet owners, collaborating with referring veterinarians, and continuously improving through feedback, education, and community engagement. Above all, we treat every patient—and every person—with the respect, empathy, and excellence they deserve.
Dr. Enrique Carlo, Owner & Founder:
Dr. Jessica Caver - Medical Director:
Dr. Jessica Dearmon Caver is a dedicated veterinarian with a passion for emergency medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal and Dairy Science from Auburn University in 2005, followed by her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009.
Following graduation, Dr. Caver pursued advanced training through a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at VCA Berwyn and Aurora Animal Hospitals in the Chicago suburbs. She then returned to Alabama, gaining experience in private general practice before continuing her specialization. From 2011 to 2014, she completed a specialty internship and partial residency in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Since 2009, she has practiced in both general practice and emergency settings, ultimately finding her true calling in emergency veterinary medicine.
Outside of work, Dr. Caver enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, and their two children, Jackson and Anna. Their family also includes four beloved dogs: Jojo, a spoiled and chunky Shih Tzu; Louie, a mischievous retriever mix; Mason, a blind yet vigilant Shih Tzu; and Fritz, a three-legged "thief" mutt.
In her free time, Dr. Caver embraces lake life at beautiful Lake Martin, where she enjoys making memories with family and friends. She also has a passion for travel, reading, and discovering new hobbies every few months.
Dr. Katherine Schmidt:
Dr. Schmidt is an Ohio Native, graduating from The Ohio State University for both her undergraduate and graduate studies. She boasts over ten years of experience as a veterinarian with special training in orthopedic and soft tissue surgical procedures. Dr. Schmidt also has an affinity for emergency surgeries, which is what attracted her to practice Emergency medicine. Dr. Schmidt has a special interest in orthopedic procedures, especially fracture repair. According to Dr. Schmidt, there’s nothing more gratifying than seeing an animal that has severe injuries heal over time. She also has a special interest in urogenital surgery, especially perineal urethrostomies in cats.
When Dr. Schmidt is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is an avid gardener and reader. Her favorite series include Harry Potter, the Secret Library, His Dark Materials, The Thursday Murder Club, and anything by Rick Riordan. Being an Ohio State grad, she also has a deep seated passion for all things Ohio State, especially football (go Bucks).
Dr. Jonathan Sims:
Dr. Jonathan Sims is a dedicated emergency veterinarian with a passion for providing high-quality, compassionate care to animals in critical need. A Georgia native, Dr. Sims began his veterinary journey early—starting as a kennel assistant in high school before quickly training as a veterinary technician. He continued working as a tech throughout his undergraduate studies at Faulkner University, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the field.
Dr. Sims earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. His clinical interests include surgery—both emergency and routine—and animal nutrition. He thrives in the fast-paced environment of emergency medicine, appreciating the variety and unpredictability of the cases, as well as the opportunity to make a meaningful impact during some of the most critical moments in a pet’s life.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Sims enjoys spending time with his wife, Chante—whom he met while they were both veterinary technicians in Montgomery in 2014—and their lively household of animals: two dogs (Ares and Castiel), two cats (Batman and Remington), and two horses (Dallas and Lexi—though he jokes the horses are really Chante’s). They share a love for Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds and often take their dogs hiking, swimming, or on beach vacations with family.
Dr. Sims values the flexibility and collaborative spirit of Steel City ER Vets. He’s proud to be part of a team that prioritizes both excellence in patient care and work-life balance. For him, the occasional chaos of emergency medicine is just part of what makes the work so rewarding.
Dr. Carly St. James:
A graduate of Auburn University (BS, 2014) and the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (DVM, 2018), Dr. St. James brings a strong foundation and over seven years of clinical experience to the team. After two years in general practice, Dr. St. James has spent the past five years dedicated to emergency and critical care, with special interests in critical care management and ultrasonography. What Dr. St. James values most about working at SCEV is the close-knit, family-like atmosphere and the team's shared commitment to working together to save even the most critical patients.