Our Veterinarians
Dr. Charles Edwards:
Dr. Edwards grew up on a poultry and cattle farm in rural Scott County, MS. His dad, Mac, worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural letter carrier. His mom, Linda, operated the farm and raised three boys, Charles, Andy and Jonathon. He is the eldest of the three. His earliest memories on the farm involved feeding baby calves at his granddaddy’s dairy, gathering eggs, and tending to cows and chickens on the family’s broiler and beef cattle farm. His younger brother, Jonathon works for the Railroad in Meridian, and other younger brother Andy works for CF Industries in Yazoo City, MS.
He graduated from Sebastopol High School and East Central Community College. He then attended MSU and majored in Biological Education before being accepted into Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine where he graduated in 1990 with D.V.M. His first job was with Roger’s Veterinary Hospital, now called Pinebelt Veterinary Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS, followed by a three year tour with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. After a 3-year stay with USDA-FSIS, he went to work for Tadlock Stockyard in Forest and also worked part-time for B.C. Rogers Poultry Company as their company veterinarian. During the years working for Tadlock Stockyard and B.C. Rogers, Dr. Edwards also had a mobile large animal practice. In the Fall of 1999, Dr. Edwards left B.C. Rogers and joined with Dr. Staci Rhodes to start Crooked Creek Animal Hospital. He continued to work for Tadlock Stockyard until the Spring of 2008.
He is a member of Shiloh Methodist Church, MS Cattlemen's Association, Society of Theriogenology, and serves as the central district representative for the MS Veterinary Medical Association. When Dr. Edwards is not working at Crooked Creek, he enjoys spending time on the farm where he has a commercial beef cow/calf operation. He also enjoys doing mission work with the Baptist Medical Dental Mission International in Central America. Dr. Edwards is married to Carlotta Knight Edwards. They make their home in Morton, MS. Carlotta has mixed flock of backyard chickens and enjoys giving eggs to family and friends. They have a Miniature Pinscher named Pippi, a teacup Chihuahua named Lyla Kate, and a Welsh Corgi/Chihuahua mix named Mesa.
Dr. Staci Rhodes:
A native of Pelahatchie, Dr. Rhodes attended Mississippi State University, earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1993. Dr. Rhodes partnered with Dr. Edwards and together they opened Crooked Creek Animal Hospital in 1999. Dr. Rhodes's husband, Kurt, is a native of Pelahatchie as well and is self-employed. They have three children; Trevor, Peyton, and Trey. Dr. Rhodes enjoys spending time with her family as well sky diving and snorkeling. They are members of Shiloh United Methodist Church. Dr. Rhodes's special interests in the veterinary field is small animal medicine as well as equine medicine.
Dr. Katlyn Henning
Dr. Henning joined the team as a veterinarian at Crooked Creek Animal Hospital in June of 2023 although she has been a part of the hospital since 2013. Originally from the Pelahatchie, Mississippi area, she graduated from East Rankin Academy and then attended East Central Community College earning an associate degree in Biology. Dr. Henning completed her undergraduate degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences at Mississippi State University and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Although she enjoys many aspects of veterinary medicine, Dr. Henning has a particular interest in food animal medicine, and she is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.
Dr. Henning and her husband, Terry, have three dogs, two cats, and two ferrets–a literal zoo. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her animals, reading, and helping out on their family farm.
Dr. Jenny Sowell
Dr. Sowell became a member of the family at Crooked Creek Animal Hospital in November of 2023. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences and a Master’s of Public Health with an emphasis in zoonotic disease. Dr. Sowell received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her post-graduate work included two years of relief work in central Mississippi and working at a small animal clinic for more than 8 years.
She has special interests in soft tissue surgery, feline medicine and behavior, and the human-animal bond. Another area of veterinary medicine that is close to Dr. Sowell’s heart is spaying and neutering. She provides high volume and high quality spaying and neutering to help with the overpopulation of puppies and kittens.
Dr. Sowell is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. In 2017 she received the MVMA Young Veterinarian of the Year Award and in veterinary school she was voted by her peers to receive the Gentle Doctor Award and the Feline Practitioner Award.
Dr. Sowell and her husband, Kramer, have been married for more than 15 years. They have a son named Benton and a daughter named Lynley. Their extensive pet family includes two dogs, five cats, nine chickens, nine goats, seven ducks, two turkeys, one snake, and three fish. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Sowell enjoys singing in the praise band at Brandon First Methodist Church, being with kids and family and spending time on the farm, and going on family trips.
Dr. Susan Thrash (Office Manager)
Dr. Thrash joined the team at Crooked Creek Animal Hospital in January of 2023. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s degree at Auburn University. She then earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Following graduation, Dr. Thrash worked at All Creatures Animal Care Center until 2022.
Dr. Thrash has special interests in internal medicine and in community medicine which focuses on providing affordable veterinary services to historically excluded areas. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association, and has served on the MVMA board.
She and her husband, Josh, have three children, Elizabeth, Reid, and Luke. Dr. Thrash is a member of the Church at Shiloh where she teaches Sunday School. In her free time, she enjoys outside activities and being with her family.