05/20/2026
As Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic moves forward into a new chapter...Dr. Christenberry's last official day will be June 24. Attached is his farewell to his clients if he doesn't get a chance to see y'all prior to his retirement, as well as photos throughout the years 💚
Call us at (205) 991-7986 for an appointment with him or visit www.cmacvet.com to schedule online!
As I consider my upcoming "retirement," I am reminded that a man I respect once said that "retirement is not biblical." I believe that retirement as we traditionally think of it...Sitting around with nothing to do or at least nothing productive to do...certainly is not biblical or proper or helpful to society. So from that sense, I don't really plan to retire. I am merely making a transition. I plan to maintain my veterinary license and fill in at the clinic from time to time, continue to teach my classes at Samford University, serve on the 4 ministry boards on which I sit, watch my 8 children and 13 (with certainly more to come) grandchildren grow and prosper, travel for pleasure and on mission, take care of our farm and play golf and grow old with Kim, the love of my life, my bride, my soul mate...So don't worry about me, I have plenty to keep me busy. Be that as it may, my 40 year career as a veterinarian has been the joy, honor, blessing, wonder of my lifetime but my time at Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic is where all of this has taken root, come alive, and blossomed. I had a dream to build a place of refuge, comfort, and hope for pets and people alike that honors God's giftings where all can work and prosper. What a privilege it has been to work alongside the likes of Jimmy, Cindy, Lisa, Andy, Caroline, Kelli, Kimbo, Sarah, Nicole, Amy, Ann, Whitney, Rick, and Molly--these that have been at my side for 10 years or longer...some of them for 30 years or more. These are people who have committed their lives to the success and culmination of my aforementioned dream. Their commitment, camaraderie, and counsel touches me more deeply than I can express. Additionally, I have had the honor of serving and caring for so many special pets who never came into our clinic unattached to a wonderful caring human. So we get a double blessing whenever we care for a patient. You have all taken part in my edification, my joy, my sanctification, and yes, my living. You have supported me and through me, my family, my church, my ministries made it possible for 5 children who never may have known the love of a mother, a father, a family to find their way into our family, our hearts, our great nation and ultimately into the loving arms of Christ Jesus. I will always be aware and grateful how veterinary medicine has been a conduit through which I have been able to do ministry in the clinic, in the community and in the world.
There is so much more I could say, people I could thank, pets I could laugh and cry about. But I just want everyone to know simply how thankful I am to all of you who have put your trust in me as I attempted to live out the calling in veterinary medicine that God placed before me.
I do not consider this goodbye but merely farewell as I continue...
Pressing On,
Dr. C
