About
Heather Jenkins, DVM, CVA

Education & Academic Achievement

• Obtained her bachelor's degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
• Earned her doctorate at Virginia Tech (Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine) in 1998. At Virginia Tech, Heather was the recipient of the Dr. Robert F. Fernbaugh Memorial Scholarship based on academic and achievement merit while at Virginia Tech, and she was the recipient of the veterinary college's most prestigous scholarship, the Clarence Gertrude Leach Memorial Scholarship, based on academic achievement during her doctorate education.

Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Dr. Jenkins obtained her certification in veterinary acupuncture from the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida.This involved exams, a peer reviewed written case report, and a year of completing courses in small animal acupuncture, equine acupuncture, mixed practice veterinary acupuncture, and European veterinary acupuncture. Dr. Jenkins now offers veterinary acupuncture to clients to compliment the modern western medicine techniques that we use primarily. She has found veterinary acupuncture particularly useful in cases that have a neurological component.

Therapy Dog Work and Dog Training

Dr. Jenkins enjoys volunteering as a therapy dog handler at nursing homes, Special Olympics, Operation Purple, and crisis shelters. She has dogs registered with the Delta Dog Society and with Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response. Dr. Jenkins is an evaluator for the Delta Society - testing therapy dog-handler teams - evaluating them for readiness for dog-therapy work.

Dr. Jenkins has competed and placed in both UKC and AKC obedience and rally competitions. With the help of friend Stephanie Burnette, Dr. Jenkins teaches dog training at Healing Springs Animal Hospital.

Camelid Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Jenkins has done considerable post-graduate work in camelid medicine (llamas and alpacas). Most recently, she volunteered at an alpaca research facility high in the mountains of Peru. There she had the opportunity to do more camelid reproductive work than most American vets do in a lifetime. In particular, the research station is gathering information to develop protocols for the care of pregnant and newborn camelid. [Find 200+ photos of this on our Facebook page.]

Wildlife Rehabilitation

Dr. Jenkins is certified with the United States Department of Agriculture as a wild life rehabilitator with a specialty in turtles. Law prohibits wildlife rehabilitation from taking place as a paid veterinary service. In her personal time, Heather takes turtles that have been hit by cars or suffering other maladies, rehabilitates them in her personal time, and returns them to their natural habitat.

Areas of Practice:

Heather's favorite areas of veterinary practice are internal medicine, diagnostics, chemotherapy, acupuncture, equine reproduction / horse breeding, alpacas, and llamas.