Dr. Noël McKnight grew up in Mobile, AL, and moved to Birmingham, AL, in 1991. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in chemistry. Dr. McKnight subsequently completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University in 2013 and then relocated to North Carolina to complete a rotating internship in internal medicine, neurology, surgery and emergency medicine at Carolina Veterinary Specialist in Greensboro, NC. In 2014, Dr. McKnight moved back to Birmingham, AL, and went into general practice in the area and has been practicing for 10 years. In 2021, Dr. McKnight completed her Certification in Canine Rehabilitation through the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. McKnight is a published author in the Journal of American Veterinary Medicine, a member of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. McKnight anticipates completion of her certification in veterinary acupuncture in 2023. She is also a Fear Free Certified Practitioner and prides herself and her staff in providing a calm, reduced anxiety, and stress-free environment for all her patients who visit Sound Animal Rehab and Fitness.

Dr. McKnight's love of animals began early in life and she knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. It was as her own dogs began to age, that fueled her passion for helping pets with neurologic disease, orthopedic disease, soft tissue injuries and geriatric mobility issues. Three of her own dachshunds had bulging or ruptured intervertebral disks in their backs which resulted in partial paralysis. With no options for physical therapy for dogs, Dr. McKnight used some exercise information given to her by two of her veterinarians, a bathtub, and random items from around her home to get her dogs up and moving again. At that point she knew her heart was calling her to neurologic and orthopedic related physical rehabilitation and geriatrics. Dr. McKnight is very excited to bring veterinary physical rehabilitation and fitness to the Birmingham area!

Senior pets are Dr. McKnight's specialty and passion. Her philosophy is that the age of a pet should not dictate how mobile and active they can be in everyday life. Older age in a pet can cause mobility issues, but weekly exercise and maintaining good range of motion in the joints helps keep them moving so they can live their best life. She is a firm believer that quality of life is everything and is dedicated to helping people provide that for their beloved pets. She credits her dachshund Copper, who lived to be 17 years old, with nurturing her passion of navigating a pet through the geriatric years. Often our senior pets have multiple medical issues and Dr. McKnight has years of experience helping her clients and their pets traverse through these sometimes challenging and difficult times.

When Dr. McKnight is not working, she enjoys an occasional lazy day on the couch reading a book, with her husband Wayne and her 2 dachshunds, Gus and Eva nestled close by. She also loves to travel, hike, garden, play classic board games, and try new foods. And, yes, occasionally she can be found bingeing a good series on TV on rainy weekends!