Trust Your Instincts, and Do the Research: Meet Dr. Heather Crispell

Some veterinarians talk about medicine as a science. Others describe it as an art.

For Dr. Heather Crispell, it is both.

Her approach begins with careful observation, thoughtful problem solving, and a willingness to keep asking questions until she finds the best path forward for every patient.

It is a philosophy she sums up in a simple phrase:

"Trust your instincts and do the research."

Those words have guided her throughout her career and continue to shape the way she cares for pets and the families who love them.

Unlike many veterinarians, Dr. Crispell did not grow up knowing exactly what she wanted to do. She discovered her passion while studying science at St. Michael's College in Vermont, where she realized she loved solving complex problems and understanding how living systems work.

After graduation, she worked in scientific research, including time at Jackson Laboratory and a fascinating project in Alaska studying Arctic ground squirrels. Eventually, those experiences led her to veterinary school at Tufts University, where she found the perfect combination of medicine, science, and working with both animals and people.

"I like solving complex problems," she says. "Being able to do that with pets while working closely with their owners just fit."

Those early years as a veterinarian taught her lessons that still influence her today.

Like every new graduate, she quickly realized that veterinary medicine is a team effort. Veterinary technicians became trusted mentors, and unusual medical cases reinforced the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning.

"You can't know everything," she says. "Clients don't expect you to know everything. But they do expect you to try, to keep looking for answers, and to help them find the next best step."

That honesty has become one of the hallmarks of her approach to care.

Veterinary Medicine, Right at Home

Since joining Vet at Your Door in 2019, Dr. Crispell has developed a deep appreciation for the advantages of in-home veterinary care. Seeing pets in the environment where they actually live often reveals important clues that simply are not visible during a traditional clinic visit. She can watch how a senior dog navigates the stairs, see whether slippery floors are affecting mobility, or observe the setup of a cat's litter box. Sometimes a simple recommendation, like adding a carpet runner between two rooms, can make a meaningful difference in a pet's daily comfort.

Just as important, house calls remove one of the biggest obstacles to veterinary care. "I never appreciated how difficult it was to actually  get pets to the vet," she says. That is especially true for cats, many of which experience significant stress during car rides and clinic visits. Older dogs often struggle getting into and out of vehicles. By bringing care into the home, Vet at Your Door makes veterinary visits calmer, more comfortable, and more accessible for both pets and their families.

The home environment also helps build something Dr. Crispell values deeply: trust.

When invited into someone's home, conversations feel less rushed. Families have time to ask questions, share concerns, and participate in decisions about their pet's care.

"There is a different level of trust," she says. "People feel heard."

Prevention Is Powerful

Ask Dr. Crispell what great veterinary medicine looks like, and she does not begin with complicated procedures or advanced technology.

She starts with prevention.

Routine wellness exams, vaccines, parasite prevention, laboratory screening, and paying attention to small changes in behavior all help pets live longer, healthier lives.

"If we can find something early, we can address it early," she says.

She encourages families to pay attention to changes in appetite, drinking habits, weight, energy level, or behavior, because those subtle signs often appear long before a medical problem becomes an emergency.

At the same time, Dr. Crispell believes every care plan should reflect both the pet and the family. Great veterinary medicine is not about doing every possible test or treatment. It is about listening. It is understanding a family's goals, respecting a pet's personality, and developing a plan that makes sense for everyone involved. "Everyone being on the same page about the care and life they want for their pet is a success," she says.

More Than Medicine

One of the moments Dr. Crispell remembers most vividly came during the COVID pandemic. While many veterinary practices faced unprecedented challenges, Vet at Your Door continued caring for pets in their homes, including families facing difficult end-of-life decisions. For Dr. Crispell, helping families remain together during those moments reinforced what veterinary medicine is truly about.

It is not simply diagnosing illness or prescribing medication.

It is showing up.

It is listening.

It is helping people through some of the happiest and hardest moments they experience with their pets.

That philosophy extends to every appointment, whether it is a routine wellness visit for a healthy puppy, helping a senior cat stay comfortable, or working with a family to navigate a complex medical diagnosis.

For Dr. Crispell, every patient presents a puzzle worth solving, every family deserves to be heard, and every visit is another opportunity to strengthen the bond between people and their pets.

It all comes back to the lesson that has guided her career from the beginning.

Trust your instincts. Do the research. And never stop looking for the best path forward.