A veterinary assistant since 1995, Dawn has a special kinship with animals and with the staff of York Veterinary Hospital. Alongside many of her current coworkers, she assisted Dr. Weidinger at the Denbigh Animal Hospital starting in 1995. In 1997, together with Lisa Strayer, she assisted in the establishment of a new specialty referral practice in veterinary internal medicine. Procedures she assisted in include ultrasound, endoscopy, rhinoscopy, spinal tap, liver biopsies, and chemotherapy. Dawn rejoined Dr. Weidinger at York veterinary Hospital in 2001.
Dawn received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990 from Eastern Mennonite University, where she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry and Mathematics. After many years of on-the-job training and work experience as a veterinary assistant, Dawn pursued continuing education and received her veterinary Assistant diploma from the Harcourt Learning Direct program in 2002.
In addition to the thousands of animals she has loved and treated at work, Dawn opens her home to about a half dozen pets at any given time, including dogs, cats, turtles, and birds. Each one holds a uniquely special place in her heart. She has a special fondness for Bernese Mountain Dogs, starting with her beloved Vanguard with whom she shared 12 wonderful years. (sniff)
When Dawn is not at work, she can usually be found practicing the harp or playing viola in the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra. Along with her husband, she teaches strings at a local private school.
