Dr. Hennessey

Our Veterinarian at Richland Hills Animal Clinic

Animals have been at the heart of my world for as long as I can remember. Never having lived in a home with fewer than four pets, my journey in veterinary medicine has always been rooted in compassionate care for all creatures—great and small.

I earned my veterinary degree from the Royal College of Veterinary Medicine in London, following a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Environmental Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. Throughout my schooling, I volunteered with our local shelter, with a therapeutic horse riding center for children with disabilities, and worked in the Robert Dudley Animal Flight Laboratory. I also worked in the recruiting office for the Cal football team, which gave me the chance to meet people from all over the country. And yes—more often than not, my conversations with the football recruits and their families eventually turned to the pets waiting for them back home.

My career has taken me across continents and species—from geckos and antelope to river otters and bats—but the patients with whom I love working with most are the pets who share our everyday lives. I believe the bond between people and their animals is one of the most meaningful connections we can experience, and it’s a privilege to help families nurture and protect that relationship.

Although my mother is British and most of my extended family still lives in the UK, I returned to my Texan roots to be closer to the people I hold dearest: my longtime partner, Kevin, who serves as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force; my mother, a proud local business owner; and my 89- year-old grandmother, the original Dr. Hennessey. Though not a veterinarian, my grandmother was a brilliant college professor whose compassion and curiosity shape everyone she meets—and she passed down a deep love for animals that runs through every generation of my family. One of my earliest memories is watching her nurse a fish back to health after it had been dropped by a hawk in the middle of the road—cleaning its wounds daily until it could be released into a pond. That experience, and many others like it, taught me that every animal deserves kindness, no matter how small.

Today, I share my home with six dogs, three horses, and two cats (all rescues), and my heart with the many families I’m honored to support through practicing at Penny Paws. I’m a USDA- accredited veterinarian and have traveled internationally with my dog Mojito to five countries over the past five years. I’d be happy to help you and your pets travel as well.

Outside of work, my favorite hobbies include swimming, traveling, and just about anything I can do with my dog Mojito by my side. I’m also a passionate volunteer with organizations like DFW Angels, which provide essential support to children in the foster care system.

Whether it’s helping a beloved senior dog stay comfortable or guiding a new pet parent through their first year, my mission is simple: to help animals live better, healthier lives—and to make sure they all feel just a little bit spoiled.