Modern Medicine, Old-Fashioned Care
Meet Our Veterinarians and Staff

Dr. Ransome Weis, DVM

Dr. Laura Weis, DVM
Dr. Weis is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy (AVH), the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA), and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).

Dr. Lois Palin, VMD

Dr. David MacDonald, DVM, CVA, CVSMT
He is member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, the AHVMA, the AVMA and the PVMA.

Dr. Jerica Lugo, VMD
Specializing in soft tissue surgery and education, she is grateful to play a role in strengthening the bond between owner and pet. She also loves to help pets put aside their fears and realize that the veterinary office is not such a scary place, after all.
Raised in Connecticut (where she was surrounded by animals), Dr. Lugo and her husband previously lived in Philadelphia, before a friend introduced her to Bucks County and the Doylestown area.
When she is not practicing veterinary medicine, Dr. Lugo enjoys spending time with her husband and the couple’s three senior animals: cats Panda and Storm, and a Boston Terrier mix named Annabelle. She enjoys hiking, knitting, and watching great films.

Dr. Mimi Fitchett, DVM
After veterinary school, Dr. Fitchett completed an internship at The Animal Medical Center in NY, NY. She was on the staff of the North Shore Animal League and served as the shelter medical director from 1996 to 1998. Dr. Fitchett has practiced at a few veterinary hospitals in the region since moving to Bucks County.
Originally from Maryland, Dr. Fitchett and her husband settled in Bucks County in 1998. The couple have a son and daughter as well as two dogs—a pug and a doodle (pictured with Atticus on his adoption day)—cats, chickens, and Guinea hens. The family also raised peacocks at one time.

Caroline, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Julie, Licensed Veterinary Technician
Julie started at Doylestown Veterinary Hospital in June 2012. She graduated from Manor College in 2006 with a degree in veterinary technology. She also has a passion for dog behavior and training and has been leading dog training classes since 2007. She raised two Seeing Eye puppies and has fostered many rescue dogs and puppies over the years. Julie lives with her wife Lorelei, two adopted dogs Daisy and Geordi, and her adopted cat Wash. When she is not surrounded by animals—which is not often—Julie enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and working on art projects.

Danielle, Veterinary Technician

Rhea, Veterinary Technician

Justine, Veterinary Technician
Justine joined the Doylestown Veterinary Hospital family in 2003. In 2007, she decided to take a break from working to study Veterinary Technology at Harcum College. In July 2015, Justine returned to the hospital team. She loves all aspects of veterinary medicine but providing care and comfort for the geriatric patients is what she enjoys most. Justine enjoys snowboarding, writing, and being at home with her new baby boy Eli, her husband Scott, their dog Bandit, and 3 unruly cats.

Lora, Business Manager
Lora Leone joined the DVH staff as business manager in September 2013 after managing front desk operations for Holiday House Pet Resort & Training Center. Her business experience includes running a successful trucking company with her husband for the last 33 years. When she’s not working diligently to manage two businesses, Lora shares a passion for physical fitness with her two adult daughters by running in races and participating in Spartan obstacle racing. She completed the “Mother of all Spartan Races”—The Beast Race in Killington, VT. She also loves taking quiet walks through Tyler State Park with Ash, the family’s German Shepard. Lora lives in Bucks County with her husband of 37 years.

Angie, Practice Manager

Paige, Customer Care Specialist

Lauren, Customer Care Specialist
Lauren has a passion for taking care of and advocating for all animals, which is one reason why she enjoys working with the people and pets at DVH. Lauren joined the custom care team in November 2022. She is a May 2022 graduate of the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. Lauren has experience as a veterinary assistant, and previously worked for College Park Animal Hospital while attending school. She also worked with the equine veterinarian at The Elmwood Park Zoo. While at school, Lauren volunteered and fostered dogs that needed medical attention and TLC for the rescue PAW Maryland. She was a member of the pre-vet society which included volunteering at a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, a local wildlife rescue, and pet adoption clinics. Lauren enjoys riding horses, painting, and camping or going to the beach in her free time. She serves as secretary of their family non-profit organization created in her father’s memory. She has two rescue dogs—Bella and Presley.

Kelly, Customer Care Specialist
Kelly joined the practice in September of 2022 after working for a local veterinary emergency hospital as a customer care specialist. Kelly brings a combined 49 years of wisdom and skill garnered in the fields of child and animal welfare. Kelly supports the mission of animal welfare as a large breed dog protective custody foster parent for the Pennsylvania SPCA. Beginning in 1995, Kelly handled shelter cats and dogs for their adoption exams, vaccines, and blood work. She also built a database and implemented the computer management system for an animal shelter and its clinic. Kelly graduated from Gettysburg College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Human Services Psychology from LaSalle University. She graduated from Central Bucks East. Kelly enjoys gardening, old homes and hotels, and Springsteen tours. Previously a school board member for 12 years, she continues to serve her local community as a Judge of Elections. Kelly cares for her grandpets Myla, a German Shepherd, Duffer, an Aussie mix, and cat Bentley. She adopted Gretl (pictured with Kelly), the daughter of her once-in-a-lifetime dog Cerberus, and her cat Ashford.

Emma, Veterinary Assistant
Emma joined the staff in August 2021 and enjoys getting to know the clients. She earned her degree in Small Animal Science from Delaware Valley University in 2022. Emma has a passion for wildlife and has been a volunteer at Aark Wildlife Rehab Center since 2015. Emma recently rescued “an unruly” Chihuahua puppy named Alfie who keeps her busy when she’s not at work. Emma also has a large brown tabby named Meeko that has “the personality of a Golden Retriever.”

Payton, Veterinary Assistant
Payton is a familiar face to the team, having worked previously at Holiday House Pet Resort. She joined the veterinary hospital staff in September 2022. Payton is a junior at Delaware Valley University studying Animal Science. When the university is in session, Payton enjoys working with our staff and gaining valuable experience towards her goal of attending veterinary school. During the summer months, she returns home to the New Jersey shore to work for Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, NJ. She is the vice president of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society at DVU. Payton has pigs, chickens, ducks, her cat Sammy, and a Great Pyrenees named Sora at home.

Marissa, Veterinary Assistant
Marissa joined the staff in July 2021. She graduated from West Chester University of PA in 2021 with a Bachelors degree in Biology. A native of Doylestown, Marissa has volunteered at Aark Wildlife Rehab Center. Knowing that she is helping animals is what Marissa loves most about her job. Marissa enjoys hiking, dancing, baking, and spending time with her Cockapoo Bella.