Dr. Robert D. Hawkins Jr. grew up watching his father build Troy Animal Clinic into a practice the community trusted. He went to Auburn, earned his veterinary degree, and returned to Troy to be part of it. That was 1990. He has been here ever since. In 2011, when Dr. Doug Hawkins retired, he became the practice’s owner.

Education and Early Career

Dr. Hawkins completed his undergraduate studies at Auburn University, where he studied animal science and 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 1990, where he was a member of Alpha Psi, the professional veterinary fraternity.

After graduating from Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Robert spent six months in Jacksonville, Florida, gaining essential clinical experience before returning to Troy to join his father’s practice. He has been a part of Troy Animal Clinic for more than 35 years.

Rooted in Troy

Dr. Hawkins and his wife Melanie are lifelong supporters of the Troy community. He and Melanie are members of First Baptist Church of Troy, and he has served on the board at Pike Liberal Arts School. He has served as president of the Troy Rotary Club, continuing a tradition of Rotary involvement that his father maintained for 52 years. He has also served as president of the Auburn University Alpha Psi Alumni Association.

Fifteen Years on the Sideline

Outside of veterinary medicine, one of the defining chapters of Dr. Hawkins’ life has been coaching. For more than 15 years, he coached women’s basketball at Pike Liberal Arts School, building a program that competed at the highest level of Alabama private school athletics.

Under his leadership, the Patriots reached the state championship game on multiple occasions, winning the state title once and finishing as state runner-up once. For a program in a small school competing against larger institutions, those results speak to the kind of commitment and culture he brought to the gym.

His reputation in the local athletics community reached beyond his own sideline. When Troy University conducted a coaching search for its women’s basketball program, Dr. Hawkins was asked to serve on the hiring committee, a reflection of the trust the community places in him beyond the walls of the clinic.

Family

Dr. Hawkins and Melanie have three children: Douglas, Mary Kane Walters, and Haley Edwards. Their son Douglas followed the family path to Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine and joined the practice in 2020, making Troy Animal Clinic a three-generation family business. Robert and Melanie are the proud grandparents of seven: Duke, Hawkins, and Bobby Edwards; Fin and Nix Hawkins; and Margaret and Elinor Walters.

When he is not at the clinic, you are most likely to find him on his bike. Dr. Hawkins is an avid cyclist and has logged countless miles on the roads in and around Troy over the years.

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