Staff

'Since I can remember, I always wanted to be an animal doctor. At the age of six I designed my first animal hospital and named it Lynne's Animal Hospital. I never wavered from that dream.'
I have been practicing veterinary medicine and surgery in the D.C. area for thirty years. I am the current and fourth owner of Collins Hospital for Animals, having bought the practice in 1987. With over 30 years of experience of treating dogs, cats and exotics, I continue to be excited about delivering exemplary pet health care to my clients. My strength is in communication and education for my clients. My areas of expertise include exotic pet medicine, feline medicine and surgery, and cardiology.

I received my BS in Biology and Minor in Animal Science from the University of Maryland College Park and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
I currently live with my husband, two children, one dog (Tinkerbell is pictured) and three cats (Polly, Rover and Eddie New Cat). In my spare time I enjoy cooking, travelling and attending my children's sporting events; in particular Ice Hockey Games, Basketball and Horse Shows.

I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, with the lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian.

In 2018, I graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Global Health, focused on the spread of zoonotic disease and the intersection of human and animal health. While I obtained my degree, I studied abroad in Korogwe, Tanzania, researching the effect of livestock presence on mosquito species variability. My passion for global health continued into veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania, where I was the president of the school’s One Health Club during my second year. Two years later, in 2023, I obtained my VMD.

After practicing on the Eastern Shore and (briefly) in Columbus, Ohio, I am incredibly excited to be back home in D.C. with my husband, Great Dane, Maine Coon, and failed foster kitten. When not at Collins, I can be found painting, perfecting the chocolate chip cookie, looking for incredible restaurants/cafes, annoying my husband with my singing, and running through the magnificent trails this city has to offer. My interests include cardiology, neurology, reproduction, dentistry, and exotics. I look forward to meeting you and your pets, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream.

Washington, DC has been my home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the Maret School, I earned my undergraduate degree in Biology at Brown University and then attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where I graduated summa cum laude in 2002. After veterinary school, I moved to College Station, Texas to complete a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. 

I went on to practice both general and emergency medicine in the Houston area before returning to Washington, DC. After caring for pets in the DC area for nearly two decades now, I’m delighted to have found my home at Collins Hospital for Animals. 

I love all aspects of veterinary medicine but have a particular interest in internal medicine and dermatology. I also love getting to know my patients and their families, working to build long-term relationships based on trust, good communication, and thoughtful care.

If you ask me whether I have any favorite breeds, I’ll tell you it’s too hard to pick just one! I will, however, readily admit to having a weakness for dogs with beards and cats who chirp.

When I’m not at the hospital, I stay busy with my family and our small herd of animals. We share our home with two dogs - Dean, a wiggly wire-haired Vizsla, and Poppy, a snuggly little terrier mix - along with Marty, our African Grey parrot, and eleven chickens.