I was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia. I attended Holy Ghost Prep and Delaware Valley College prior to veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. Graduating in 1990, my first job was at Newtown Veterinary Hospital. I purchased NVH from Fred Guenther, V.M.D. in November of 1992. Outside the office, the loves of my life are my wife, Lynda, son Timmy II, and daughters Abby and Angelina. My non-human family members include a golden retriever (Sandy), Shih Tzu (Wolfie), a calico (Puppy), a gray tiger cat (Silver) and a black cat (Inky) and two cows! (Milkshake and Buttercup). Other than veterinary medicine and surgery, my interests include singing, soccer, and track and field. I like all aspects of practice, but especially enjoy soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. I was elected to the executive committee of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association for 2003-2006. I served as VP in 2003, president-elect in 2004, and president in 2005! This volunteer organization is the largest group of organized veterinarians in the state. http://www.pavma.org

      I was a New York City native who came to this region in 1986 after college. I am a 1990 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and a classmate of Dr. Ireland. I have practiced at a cat only hospital in Philadelphia as well as New York State before returning to this area. I practiced at a veterinary clinic in New Jersey prior to coming to NVH. I currently live in Hatboro with my husband, David, and two cats, Spoof and Little Mister.

Happy 12th Anniversary Dr. Palm  1998 - 2010

     I grew up on a horse farm in Newtown and went to Council Rock High School. I graduated from Dickinson College with a B.A. in Political Science and worked in banking for a short time. Having spent my childhood with horse dirt under my nails, I came to the realization that wearing a suit to work every day was not for me and immediately applied to vet school. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. I completed a one year Fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at Penn and since then, I have loved practicing veterinary medicine.
     I started at NVH in June 2008. My position at Newtown Veterinary Hospital allows me the opportunity to practice high quality medicine, build lasting relationships with my patients and their families and raise my own family in a community I loves.

     I am from a small town in Western Pennsylvania just north of Pittsburgh. After high school, I attended Tufts University in Massachusetts, spent a year in the UK doing coursework in Biochemistry, and returned to Tufts to complete my undergraduate degree in Biology. I then spent some time doing research in molecular biology before starting at Tufts Veterinary School in 2001.
     During veterinary school, I received a military scholarship so after graduating I immediately began military training and assumed the position of a Veterinary Corps Officer (VCO) for the US Army. After serving some time in Virginia and South Korea, I completed my contract with the military and find myself fortunate enough to be working with the doctors and staff of the Newtown Veterinary Hospital.
     I definitely look at this as being the "next chapter" in my life and my career as a veterinarian. I look forward to starting the next step here with the pets, clients, and staff in Newtown.

     I grew up in suburban Philadelphia. I received my undergraduate degree from Harvard University and my D.V.M. from Purdue University.
     I enjoy all aspects of small animal practice, and have a strong interest in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.
     I now live in Ringoes, New Jersey, on a dairy farm with my husband, two children, numerous cows, horses, cats and one dog. In my free time I help with the farm work and enjoy cooking and gardening.

Dr. Kalman with Trixie
a pet that was spayed here in March 2010

     I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a veterinarian. I have always loved animals. I grew up in Northeast Philadelphia. I graduated with a B.S. in Biology from St. Joseph's University in 2000 and went straight to veterinary school. I graduated from University of Pennsylvania with my veterinary degree in 2004.
     During college and veterinary school I worked as a veterinary nurse in the emergency department at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania which provided me with invaluable experience. Upon graduation, I went to work in an emergency and referral practice in the area and I stayed there until 2010. It was a fantastic experience for me and I learned a lot about emergency medicine.
     I came to Newtown Veterinary Hospital in February 2010. I am very excited to go into general practice. I am looking forward to developing strong relationships with both pets and their owners. I look forward to helping puppies grow into healthy adults and being there for my clients when their pets are sick.

     I received my degrees in biology and philosophy from Cornell University in 2001. At Cornell, I was a member of the women's polo team and worked in equine behavior research at the veterinary school. Following a one year experience as a substitute teacher, lacrosse coach, and dormitory head at my high school alma mater, Madeira, I started veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 2006. I completed a one year general internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in 2007 and a one year emergency and critical care internship at the University of Pennsylvania in 2008.
     I returned to the Philadelphia area in 2009 to be with my husband, Brian, and to be able to spend more time close to my family in Annapolis, MD. In my spare time, I enjoy boating on the Chesapeake Bay, cooking, playing with my two cats Mally and Bandit, and getting to watch a polo match whenever I can. I am very excited to be a part of the Newtown Veterinary Hospital team.

Holistic Pet Healing By:

Dear NVH Clients,
     My name is Karen Collins. It is with great excitement that I write to introduce myself and tell you about Holistic Pet Healing at NVH, our new center for natural animal health care. I am a 1985 graduate of UPenn school of Veterinary Medicine. My interest in a more integrative approach to healing later led me to The Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where I became certified in both animal acupuncture and herbal medicine. I have made Bucks County my home and the focus of my practice for over 25 years.
     At Holistic Pet Healing at NVH, we are pleased to offer acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional support, homotoxicology, massage, Healing Touch, and other forms of energy medicine. These are gentle, yet powerful healing modalities that can be used alone or integrated with conventional medical and surgical care. Our dedicated healing center provides a private garden entrance, a welcome room and a treatment room designed to provide a nurturing and comfortable experience. Our goal is to offer a healing sanctuary for pets and the people who love and care for them.
     Integrative medicine--a melding of Western medicine with complementary and holistic modalities--offers many healing options. It affords a comprehensive approach to achieving wellness and maintaining health, while honoring an animal's innate healing power. Ideally, holistic medicine provides wellness care, although it is also used effectively to provide healing and support in many other situations, especially those of a chronic nature. Patients with arthritis, pain, weakness, cancer, neurologic disease, back and neck pain and paralysis, chronic renal failure and intestinal disturbances all benefit from acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutritional support.
     I am honored to become part of this fine practice, where the doctors and staff deliver the highest quality care, and where conventional and holistic health care can be truly integrated to the benefit of all. I look forward to meeting you, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your beloved animals.
                                 Sincerely yours,
                                              Karen Collins, VMD, CVA, CVCH

for more information go to www.holisticpethealing.byregion.net
 

Alternative Therapies Provided By:

     I grew up on Long Island and pursued my love for animals with a degree in Animal Science from Cornell University. Opportunity then led to a brief career as a jockey riding Thoroughbred racehorses in the Mid-Atlantic region. I then attended and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania school of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. As I worked in equine practice, I developed a strong interest in acupuncture and chiropractic healing methods. I completed IVAS training for acupuncture in San Diego in 2000 and became certified in animal chiropractic through the AVCA in 2003. My main veterinary interest is rehabilitation medicine and to really help animals to feel better.
     I live with my family: my life partner, Victor, who trains racehorses at Philadelphia Park, my stepson, Victor, who attends Temple University and my six year old son, Josif, who loves art. Our family would not be complete without Amigo, a pitbull-lab mix and Coco, a beagle-border collie mix. Both are rescues and are amazing. My heart belongs to my family and to caring for animals.
     My experience so far at NVH has been very positive. The staff and doctors are dedicated and talented and I feel very honored to be part of such a caring and knowledgeable team. I am looking forward to meeting more pets and clients.

last edited 10/11/2011.