Ever since Dr. Pennington could remember he wanted to become a Veterinarian. His compassion for healing and helping animals made him realize at the age of 14 that this is what he wanted to do. He was hired on and worked hard in this same clinic in clean-up for 5 years just to learn anything he could before he entered college.

A Nashville native, Dr. Kopp received his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Lipscomb University and his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville (UTK). 

While at UTK, Dr. Kopp was also honored with seven awards in excellence, including the AVCIM Internal Medicine Award in Small Animal Medicine, the Cardiology Veterinary Student Award, the Excellence in Dentistry and Oral Surgery award, the Community Practice Student Clinician of the year award, the Merck award, the Small Animal Faculty Award of Excellence and membership into Phi Zeta (the veterinary honor society). 

He is also RECOVER certified in both basic and advanced life support having undergone additional training in CPR for both dogs and cats.

Dr. Kopp loves every aspect of small and large animal medicine, including internal medicine, cardiology, dermatology, radiology, oncology, ophthalmology, anesthesiology and dentistry.  

Dr. Kopp also has a very special interest small mammal practice specifically rabbits, though he loves getting to help guinea pigs, mice, rats, chickens, gerbils, sugar gliders, hedgehogs and ferrets to live better and healthier lives.  He is also a member of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veternarians, allowing him access to the latest treatment and research in exotic animal medicine. 

When not doing clinical medicine or surgery, Dr. Kopp also guest teaches at Lipscomb University in their pre-veterinary program and has developed the pre-vet intern program and veterinary extern program at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital.

In his free time, Dr. Kopp enjoys spending time on his farm, where he and his wife Amy are teaching their young son Grady how to care for their extended family of 25+ chickens, three goats, several house rabbits, two horses, four cats, and four dogs.

A native of Knoxville, Dr Sara Tamas received her BS in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee, then graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984.  She is a proud UT fan!  Dr Tamas practiced in Missouri briefly before returning to Tennessee and founded Village Veterinary Clinic in Mt Juliet which she owned and operated for 19 years.