Dr. R. Douglas Hawkins III grew up in Troy watching his father and grandfather practice veterinary medicine at the clinic his grandfather founded in 1959. He went to Auburn, earned his degree, gained valuable experience on the Carolina coast, and came home. In 2020 he joined Troy Animal Clinic as its third generation of Hawkins veterinarians.

Education and Training

Dr. Hawkins grew up in Troy and, like his father and grandfather before him, headed to Auburn University for his education. He studied animal science with a pre-veterinary focus during his undergraduate years, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He was a member of Alpha Psi, the professional veterinary fraternity, and served as its president for two years.

As a third-generation Auburn veterinarian, he put it simply: “My grandfather and father were and are veterinarians who graduated from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a veterinarian.”

Professional Life Before Troy Animal Clinic

Before graduating, Dr. Hawkins completed his preceptorship at Grand Strand Animal Hospital in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A preceptorship is a supervised clinical rotation that gives veterinary students hands-on experience in a working practice before they enter the field independently. He had worked at Grand Strand two summers earlier and chose to return specifically because of the volume and variety of cases the facility handled.

After graduation in 2019, he accepted a position as an associate veterinarian at Ocean Isle Veterinary Hospital in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, where he gained additional experience in small animal medicine and surgery. In 2020, he returned to Troy and joined Troy Animal Clinic, becoming the third generation of his family to practice here.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Hawkins’ clinical focus is small animal medicine, surgery, and preventive care. He enjoys the full range of what a general practice offers, from routine wellness visits to more involved surgical cases, and he brings a particular interest in staying current with advances in veterinary medicine that benefit patients in a community practice setting.

Rooted in Troy

Dr. Hawkins is an active deacon at First Baptist Church of Troy, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Welcome Committee and Chairman of the Membership Committee.

He has served on the board of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Pike County Young Professionals, and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Like his father and grandfather, he has found ways to give back to his community.

Outside the Clinic

Dr. Hawkins and his wife Anna have been married for nine years and have two sons, Finlay and Nix, as well as three dogs: Bella, Bentley, and Livy. When he is not seeing patients, Dr. Hawkins can be found on the golf course, at the gym, following Auburn athletics, or traveling with his family.

Three Generations

Troy Animal Clinic has been a Hawkins family practice for more than 65 years. Dr. Doug Hawkins founded it. Dr. Robert Hawkins grew it. Dr. Douglas Hawkins is the next chapter. For patients who have been coming here for decades, that continuity means something. For new clients, it means you are walking into a practice with deep roots in this community and a team that plans to be here for a long time.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hawkins, call us at (334) 566-3356 or request one online.