Dr. Kathleen Timmins
Photo courtesy of Jump Media
Dr. Kathleen Timmins graduated from The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993 and completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at the Illinois Equine Hospital near Chicago. She began practicing equine veterinary medicine in Aiken, SC.
Dr. Timmins joined Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) in Wellington, FL, in 1996. She was a member of the United States Polo Association (USPA) Equine Welfare Committee and the Drugs and Medication Sub-Committee, which authored the USPA Drugs and Medications Rules Book. Dr. Timmins is an Official FEI Veterinary Delegate for jumping, dressage, and para dressage, and she treats patients from all riding disciplines.
Dr. Timmins enjoys cooking and cheering on her daughter, Schuyler, as she follows in her footsteps, competing in the jumper ring.
How has your 30-year career at PBEC progressed?
When I came to PBEC, I think I was the fifth vet in here, and now we have 50 veterinarians and a staff of 75. Obviously, it’s changed. I’ve gotten to watch the place grow from the very beginning, and some of us are still here together. It’s been like a family all along. Now it’s a huge practice, and it’s really nice having all the ability and capability to do everything necessary for these animals.
Where were you in your education when you joined?
I did an internship, and then I practiced for a couple of years in Aiken, SC. Then I came down here to Florida, and I have been here ever since.
How has your role at PBEC changed?
It’s kind of incredible when I sit here and look at it now. Our first office, where three of us shared one little room, is now the pharmacy, which has also quadrupled in size. My current office used to be a group of stalls that were hit pretty hard by the tornado many years ago. And then, of course, all the equipment and technology we have is incredible: the scintigraphy, the MRI, the CT scanner. The surgery room has gotten larger, and we have added isolation facilities. We added this big addition to the main building a couple of years ago, so I have really gotten to watch all of it.
What a great opportunity to have all of those tools available to you. What is that like?
I love that part of it, and I love being in a big practice that’s a referral facility. I like it when we can all work together and put our heads together on cases that may require information from multiple veterinarians and multiple imaging modalities. It’s so nice to have it all here at PBEC, where we can say to the client, ‘Yes, I can do this,’ instead of having to ask for help outside. We can be hands-on for them 24/7.
Photo courtesy of Cassidy Klein/Wellington International
Do you still compete in the jumper ring?
I don’t ride much anymore; too many sore body parts! I did though, and my daughter still rides in hunter/jumper divisions.
What is something that people may not know about you?
I am a born-and-bred, die-hard Ohio State Buckeye football fan. I love football. I’m one of those football people. I’m also a really good cook. If I weren’t doing this, I would consider doing that.
Photo courtesy of Flaxen Mane Media