Dr. McManus received a bachelor of science in Animal Sciences in 1982 and doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1988 from Auburn University. Prior to opening Valley Animal Hospital and Pet Resort, Dr. McManus was a full-time emergency veterinarian at the Animal Emergency Center, and subsequently became a partner at Adams, Parmer, Glass and McManus Veterinary Clinics in Columbus, Georgia. In the year prior to opening Valley Animal Hospital and Pet Resort, he worked with his father, also a Veterinarian of forty years at Apollo Animal Hospital here in Huntsville, Alabama.

Dr. McManus founded Valley Animal Hospital and Pet Resort in the heart of Jones Valley in May 1992. Valley Animal Hospital and Pet Resort is an accredited member of the American Animal Hospital Association (since 1994). Dr. McManus is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, was a founding board member of the Animal Emergency Clinic of North Alabama, is a member of the Huntsville Rotary Club, a board member of the Huntsville- Madison County Auburn Club and has participated over a ten year period as a veterinary missionary to Honduras with Saint Thomas Episcopal Church Medical Mission.

Dr. McManus shares his home, with his wife - Laura Leigh, their two daughters and son, and two cats–Tom Kitten and Oatmeal, and Yorkie–Olivia. He shares his office with his cats - Persimmon, Mayhem and Fender. Hobbies include fishing, gardening, and the outdoors.