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About me:
Dr. Lynne Hathaway resides in Winston-Salem with her husband, David “Turtle” Hathaway. Outside of the clinic, she shares her home with a lively group of animals, including three cats—Rascal, Houdini, and Peanut—three bully breed dogs—Brandy, Bane, and Harley—and three chickens who confidently oversee daily operations. Her home life reflects the same compassion, dedication, and love for animals that she brings to her veterinary practice every day.
AEarly Influences and Farm Experience:
From a young age, I was immersed in agriculture at our family’s dairy farm in rural Western New York State near Lake Erie. Summers were marked by visits from Doc Bailey, our veterinarian, whose dedication to animal care—particularly for our Jerseys and barn cats—was formative in shaping my own aspirations. By age seven, inspired by his compassion and skill, I resolved to pursue veterinary medicine. This commitment led me to actively engage in his visits whenever possible. My summers were spent caring for calves and taming feral barn kittens, fostering hands-on experience with animal behavior and welfare. Involvement in 4-H further cultivated my interest and knowledge in animal care, including leading my first calf, “Lucky,” and earning selection for Dairy Products and Dairy Judging Teams at the New York State Fair. My sustained participation extended to college, where I held titles such as County Dairy Princess and New York State Jersey Queen, culminating in a bid for the national title in Louisville, Kentucky.
Commitment to Animal Welfare:
My lifelong involvement with animals is grounded in a strong family tradition that spans multiple generations. My great-grandfather operated a butcher shop and raised meat animals during the 1940s, while both sets of grandparents managed cattle and hog farms, showed horses, and bred Rottweilers for exhibition. My parents met through their shared passion for showing horses and subsequently built a distinguished Jersey cattle herd, which was recognized throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
Education:
From an early age, I balanced a love for animals with a passion for music, playing the clarinet and earning All-County, Area All-State, and All-State honors during high school. While music played an important role in my early years, my lifelong commitment to animal care ultimately guided my career path. I graduated from Westfield Academy and Central School in 1993. I went on to attend Delaware Valley College (now Delaware Valley University) in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where I graduated magna cum laude in 1997 with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Large Animal Science and Dairy Science. During college, I gained hands-on experience working on livestock and dairy farms, competed nationally on the Dairy Judging Team with a focus on the Jersey breed, and stayed actively involved in student organizations, basketball, and softball. I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree cum laude from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. While at Purdue, I was an active member of SAVMA, Alpha Phi Omega, the Food Animal Club, and the Foal Team—experiences that helped shape the compassionate, well-rounded veterinarian I am today.
Professonal Background:
After graduating from veterinary school, I began my career in a busy mixed-animal practice with three veterinarians in northwest Pennsylvania. Over the next nine years, I had the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors while caring for a wide variety of animals—including dogs, cats, cows, horses, llamas, alpacas, emus, sheep, goats, and pigs. During this time, I also co-authored a published article on persistently infected BVD in alpacas in collaboration with the Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. In 2009, I moved into independent practice, building lasting relationships with my own clients while providing relief veterinary services throughout Pennsylvania. After relocating to North Carolina to be closer to family, I continued offering relief and mobile veterinary care across the Triad region from 2011 to 2019. I later joined Clemmons Veterinary Clinic, where I practiced for six and a half years and further developed a strong interest in canine reproduction. During that time, I worked closely with breeders in the American Bully community, as well as with Golden Retriever, Cane Corso, Corgi, Great Dane, and Saint Bernard breeders—experiences that greatly expanded my knowledge and passion in this specialized area of veterinary medicine.
Practice Philosophy
Returning to a rural community and continuing the tradition of veterinary care in Walnut Cove felt like the perfect fit for both my husband and me. Meeting Dr. Cowan came at just the right time, as our philosophies immediately aligned—every animal deserves to be treated with compassion, respect, and the same care we would give our own pets, because to us, they truly are family. While we may be new owners, our goal is to preserve the old-fashioned, small-town customer service that this practice is known for, while continuing to provide high-quality, modern veterinary medicine. I am beyond excited to serve the Walnut Cove community and look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and their animals for years to come.
Commitment to Community-Centered Veterinary Care:
The opportunity to continue the legacy of veterinary care in Walnut Cove came at just the right time, aligning perfectly with my family’s desire to return to a rural community. Meeting Dr. Cowan felt serendipitous, as we quickly realized our values and approach to veterinary medicine were closely aligned. I strongly believe that every animal deserves to be treated with compassion, respect, and the same level of care I would give my own pets—because to me, they truly are family. While we are new owners, my husband and I are deeply committed to preserving the small-town customer service that Walnut Cove residents know and trust. Our goal is to maintain the familiar, personal approach that makes this practice feel welcoming and dependable. Simply put, we are thrilled to serve the Walnut Cove community and look forward to building lasting relationships while caring for your beloved pets.