Dr. Stubbs is a native of Western New York. He earned his BS in Biology in 1985 from George Mason University and his DVM from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (Virginia Tech) in 1990. He completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Cornell University in 1991 and received his surgical residency training at the University of Florida from 1991-1994. Since that time he has been on the faculty of two veterinary colleges and worked as a staff surgeon in large specialty hospitals in Florida and Denver.
Dr. Stubbs has published numerous articles in refereed journals, has authored several book chapters, and has presented many scientific lectures and continuing education seminars both nationally and abroad. He has also been regularly featured on the Animal Planet network's Emergency Vets and E-Vets: Interns programs.
Dr. Stubbs came to Animal Hospital Center with significant experience in specialty referral practice and is eager to assist you with the management of soft tissue, orthopedic (including TPLO, TTA, and total hip replacement), and neurosurgical cases. Dr. Stubbs is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and his professional interests include arthroscopy, complex joint injury repair, cementless total hip replacement, tibial tuberosity advancement, fracture repair with interlocking nails, portosystemic shunts, and neurosurgery.
He enjoys spending time with his five children and wife Laura, a veterinarian. He also enjoys fly fishing, sports, playing drums, and riding his motorcycle.
Dr. Marie Mullins joins our staff after moving from Santa Fe, NM where she was a medical oncologist at Veterinary Cancer Care. She was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Moravian College and graduated with honors from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. She then went on to complete an internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital and Referral Center in New Jersey. Dr. Marie finished her schooling with a three year medical oncology residency and Master’s degree at Colorado State University, and became boarded in the specialty of oncology in 2005.
Dr. Marie has a special interest in an integrative approach to cancer treatment, focused on stimulating the immune system, alleviating pain, and providing the best quality of life for your patient. In addition to conventional cancer treatment complementary treatment options that Dr. Marie brings to the Animal Hospital Specialty Center include acupuncture, nutritional consultations, and general supplement recommendations.
In her free time, Dr. Marie enjoys spending time with her two four-legged kids, Indy and Bodhi. She also enjoys exploring the beauty of Colorado, running, hiking, yoga and photography.
A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Karen Hilling’s clinical interests include urology, interventional radiology, hematology, dermatology, and critical care.
She earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Starkville, Mississippi in 2005 and became board-certified in internal medicine in 2009 after a residency at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton, Massachusetts and an internship at Florida Veterinary Specialists & Cancer Treatment Center in Tampa, Florida.
Dr. Hilling studied veterinary medicine at St. George’s University College of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies for two years before transferring to Mississippi State University where she earned her doctorate degree. She also has a bachelor’s of science degree in biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Dr. Hilling has a 6-year-old mixed breed dog named Guinness that is battling lymphoma cancer and an 8-year-old tri-colored Caribbean mix named Miss Bailey.
As a board-certified specialist, Dr. Heffner leads the emergency and critical care team at Animal Hospital Specialty Center, which is open 24 hours, 365 days a year. The experienced emergency team treats dogs, cats, and exotic pets for trauma, illnesses, and injuries. Surgery, internal medicine, and oncology specialists also are on-call 24 hours to assist emergency staff. Animal Hospital Specialty Center’s cutting-edge technology includes a CT scanner, video endoscopes, digital x-rays, and ultrasound.
Dr. Heffner’s special interests include pulmonary disease, advanced cardiovascular resuscitation and monitoring, and coagulation disorders. He earned his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan in 2003 and became board-certified in emergency medicine and critical care in 2009 after a residency at Tufts University in North Grafton, Massachusetts. Dr. Heffner completed an internship at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. Before joining Animal Hospital Specialty Center, he was medical director of emergency and critical care services at Greenbriar Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital in Urbana, Maryland.
“Our objective at Animal Hospital Specialty Center is to provide continuous therapy for animals in the critical time period between the emergency visit and road to recovery,” Dr. Heffner says.
Dr. Stubbs is a native of Western New York. He earned his BS in Biology in 1985 from George Mason University and his DVM from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (Virginia Tech) in 1990. He completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Cornell University in 1991 and received his surgical residency training at the University of Florida from 1991-1994. Since that time he has been on the faculty of two veterinary colleges and worked as a staff surgeon in large specialty hospitals in Florida and Denver. 
Dr. Marie Mullins joins our staff after moving from Santa Fe, NM where she was a medical oncologist at Veterinary Cancer Care. She was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Moravian College and graduated with honors from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. She then went on to complete an internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital and Referral Center in New Jersey. Dr. Marie finished her schooling with a three year medical oncology residency and Master’s degree at Colorado State University, and became boarded in the specialty of oncology in 2005. 
A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Karen Hilling’s clinical interests include urology, interventional radiology, hematology, dermatology, and critical care. 
As a board-certified specialist, Dr. Heffner leads the emergency and critical care team at Animal Hospital Specialty Center, which is open 24 hours, 365 days a year. The experienced emergency team treats dogs, cats, and exotic pets for trauma, illnesses, and injuries. Surgery, internal medicine, and oncology specialists also are on-call 24 hours to assist emergency staff. Animal Hospital Specialty Center’s cutting-edge technology includes a CT scanner, video endoscopes, digital x-rays, and ultrasound. 
