Dr. Jennifer Lavender grew up in Dallas, attending Lakewood, Armstrong, and University Park Elementary schools. She continued at McCullough Middle School and graduated from Highland Park High School in 3 years in 1991. She completed her degree in Biomedical Science at Texas A&M University.

Dr. Lavender took two years off between undergraduate school and her professional studies, working as a nurse in London on a work-abroad program, where she had an incredible experience. Upon returning to Dallas, Dr. Lavender worked in the Animal Diagnostic Center at Southwest Medical Center, an experience that helped foster an interest in laboratory techniques and diagnostics.

Growing up, Dr. Lavender never wanted to be anything but a veterinarian. She still has writings from elementary school saying that she wanted to go to A&M to be a veterinarian!

Getting into and completing veterinary school is challenging, and her commitment from day one helped provide the drive she needed to graduate from Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. After graduation, she worked in a busy general practice in Houston before starting an internship at the Veterinary Emergency Referral Group, Inc. This year-long internship focused on internal medicine and critical care under the guidance of internist Laurie Noaker, DVM, DCVIM.

Finally moving back to Dallas in 2003 after completing her internship, Dr. Lavender worked in several of the metroplex’s general practices and emergency facilities. Working as a relief veterinarian helped broaden her awareness of the veterinary industry. At this time, Dr. Lavender also started a mobile surgery business, which provides primarily orthopedic services for local practices that do not perform such procedures, a service that is still available to local practices.

In 2004, Dr. Lavender had the distinct pleasure of meeting Bonnie Hill, founder of the Spay Neuter Network (SNN). Intending to only serve as a consultant for Bonnie as she created her nonprofit, low-cost spay and neuter organization, Dr. Lavender was immediately drawn to the mission of the group and to Bonnie Hill’s passion. Dr. Lavender joined SNN and served as their primary surgeon until the opening of Metro Paws Animal Hospital. With a new clinic opening (and a baby on the way!), she intended to part ways with the nonprofit organization.

As it turned out, her commitment to the mission of making spay and neuter available to all pet owners was too strong to separate completely. She remained a part-time surgeon for several years while also running a surgical training mentorship program.

Dr Lavender has been all over the world on spay neuter campaigns. In addition to the Domican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas, she traveled to Saipan with SNN on a mission to bring low cost spay-neuter to the US territory island. Check out her interview with the local news station.

In addition to her work with SNN, Dr. Lavender was also the first DVM in Dallas to sign up to work with TVMF Pals. This organization was started by the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation and works to provide and coordinate medical care for the pets of Meals on Wheels clients.

Outside of work and volunteering, Dr. Lavender is a hands-on single mom of a son and a daughter. Her son is an avid bass fishing angler and her daughter is an aspiring veterinarian and competitive horse jumper.

If you are still reading, you are likely as exhausted as Dr. Lavender is by the end of her day! So get off this website and schedule an appointment with your pet at Metro Paws today!