Modern Medicine, Old-Fashioned Care

Meet Our Veterinarians and Staff

Dr. Ransome Weis, DVM

Dr. Weis graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 and has since been in small animal practice, first in Virginia and then in Bucks County. Dr. Weis and his wife, Dr. Laura Weis, bought Doylestown Veterinary Hospital, formerly Animal Clinic Doylestown, in 2002. His particular interests include surgery, endocrinology, and the rapidly evolving science connecting diet, the gut biome and health. Dr. Weis completed his undergraduate degrees with majors in biology, chemistry, and mathematics at Dickinson College in 1977. Before attending veterinary school, he worked as a teacher. He enjoys skiing, working on his older farm house and spending time with his wife and sons.

Dr. Laura Weis, DVM

Dr. Laura Weis focuses her practice on homeopathy and nutritional counseling. She is serving as a Board member with the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, and a faculty member with the Pitcairn Institute of Veterinary Homeopathy. Dr. Weis graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998 with the highest combined standing in both clinical and classroom work. She then moved to Bucks County and has worked since that time in small animal medicine and surgery. She is also passionate about human homeopathy and nutrition. She enjoys tending her chickens, bees, and goats. Dr. Weis lives with her husband, Dr. Randy Weis, their three boys, three cats, and three dogs—a French Bulldog and two Maremmas.
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. Palin has practiced veterinary medicine in Bucks County for 29 years. She joined our staff in June, 2001. Dr. Palin is dedicated to developing lasting relationships and providing the best care for her patients and their families. Dr. Palin is a 1991 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, and graduated with honors from the College of Wooster with a B.A. in chemistry in 1987. Dr. Palin and her husband, Jim, live in Upper Makefield with two fun-loving dogs and one very handsome cat. They are proud parents of college students, Monica and Jim. In her spare time, Dr. Palin enjoys paddling on a dragon boat team, skiing, and traveling with her family.

Dr. David MacDonald, DVM, CVA, CVSMT

Dr. David MacDonald joined our medical team in July 2014. He has the unique opportunity to blend modern medicine with the practice of Chinese herbal medicine and other holistic modalities to offer a fully integrative approach to pet healthcare. He is a certified veterinary acupuncturist (CVA) and a certified veterinary spinal manipulative therapist (CVSMT). Originally from Eastern Canada, he is a graduate of Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island. Dr. MacDonald has been practicing veterinary medicine in Pennsylvania for over 20 years with extensive experience in surgical procedures and dental care. Dr. MacDonald and his wife have 2 children, Oliver and Edie-Rose, and their family includes a Pointer mix, Lendri, and two cats, Nougat and Harper.
He is member of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, the AHVMA, the AVMA and the PVMA.

Dr. Jerica Lugo, VMD

Dr. Jerica Lugo, VMD, discovered her passion for animal advocacy as an undergraduate at Drexel University prior to earning her degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

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

Dr. Fitchett joined our staff in November, 2020. She is a 1990 graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University. Dr. Fitchett enjoys general practice with an interest in acupuncture after completing courses with the Chi Institute in 2019.
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, Nurse

Caroline is a certified veterinary technician and joined our staff in October, 2008. She graduated from Harcum College in 1986 and completed an internship at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital. Caroline loves being in the veterinary profession and has been working in private practice for over 30 years. Caroline lives in New Britain with her husband John and their 2 children, John and Olivia. Her family also includes Yoda, a lab/shepard mix and 2 cats, Harley and Sparkles. In addition to spending time with her family, you can find her reading a good book or exercising her green thumb in the garden.

Julie, Nurse

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 husband Josh, 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, Nurse

Danielle joined the Doylestown Veterinary Hospital staff in September, 2012, after being at Holiday House Pet Resort & Training Center for four years. Danielle graduated from the veterinary technician program at Penn Foster, and she studied life sciences at Penn State University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time and walking in the park with her dogs Kona, Jane, and Rufio. Her cat Sasha completes her furry family.

Rhea, Nurse

Rhea has been with Doylestown Veterinary Hospital since 2007. She took a few years away from caring for pets in 2012 to raise her two children and returned to the hospital in 2015. Rhea has an associate’s degree in radiologic technology from Indian Valley Community College in Ogelsby, IL. She loves caring for all pets, but kittens hold a special place in her heart. Rhea’s family includes her two cats Chutney and Quincy. When she’s not at the hospital, Rhea enjoys spending time with her family, gardening or exercising.

Justine, Nurse

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

Angie turned her passion for animals into an exciting career. She joined our team in April 2022 as Practice Manager, and is excited about getting to know our clients and their pets. A native of Maryland, Angie is a graduate of Towson University with a dual bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior and Psychology. While in college, Angie worked as a receptionist for a small animal hospital. That job led to positions as a vet assistant, emergency nurse, and the operations manager at a premier specialty and emergency hospital in the area. Angie loves cats, especially those with a sassy attitude. She rescued a black cat named Tiny–who is not so tiny–and an Ocicat named Walter. Angie has lived in the area for 20 years. When she’s not working, Angie enjoys reading.

Paige, Customer Care Specialist

Paige joined our customer care team in September 2018. She graduated from the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Central Montco Technical High School with certification from the American Red Cross. Prior to joining us, she worked as a CNA specializing in Alzheimer’s and dementia. Paige feels the training has given her a greater understanding urgent medical needs, patience, and compassion as part of her role with the veterinary hospital. Her love of animals and caring for others is demonstrated daily as she welcomes clients and enjoys hearing how the pets and parents are doing. Paige has also volunteered at the Elmwood Park Zoo. Paige loves spending time with her pets, yellow Labrador Bella and her cat Leo, as well as family and friends while being outdoors or relaxing at home watching a good movie.

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 Technician

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 Technician

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 Technician

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.