Allison Whitacre, DVM Neurology Specialty Intern
Allison Whitacre, DVM, is a veterinary neurology intern at Southeast Veterinary Neurology in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Dr. Whitacre earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she graduated in 2025. Prior to veterinary school, she received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a concentration in Veterinary Bioscience from North Carolina State University, graduating magna cum laude. During her veterinary education, she developed a strong interest in neurology, internal medicine, and cardiology, completing focused clinical training in these specialty areas.
Dr. Whitacre's advanced clinical training includes a rotating internship at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, TX, where she completed specialty rotations in neurology, internal medicine, surgery, emergency and critical care, diagnostic imaging, anesthesiology, sports medicine, and avian/exotic animal medicine. Through elective rotations in neurology and critical care, she gained extensive experience in neurologic lesion localization, advanced neurodiagnostics, postoperative neurologic monitoring, and complex case management. She also participated in neurosurgical procedures and developed skills in interpreting advanced imaging studies, including MRI and CT.
Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Whitacre built a strong clinical foundation through years of experience in emergency and specialty practice. She worked as an Emergency Veterinary Assistant at Happy Tails Emergency Veterinary Clinic and as an Emergency/ICU Veterinary Assistant at Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital, where she assisted in the triage, stabilization, and treatment of critically ill patients. Her additional experience includes surgical and anesthesia support in both general practice and high-volume surgical settings, as well as wildlife veterinary medicine in South Africa, where she assisted with the care and management of large wildlife species.
In addition to her clinical training, Dr. Whitacre has been actively involved in teaching, mentorship, and research. She served as a peer mentor and tutor at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine and previously worked as a teaching assistant for veterinary anatomy and physiology at North Carolina State University. Her research experience includes projects involving endocrine disruptor pathways associated with pediatric brain cancers and sustainable livestock management. She has presented on neurological disease in both academic and clinical settings and is the recipient of the ACVIM Certificate of Clinical Excellence.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Whitacre enjoys lifelong learning, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving. She is passionate about advancing the field of veterinary neurology and is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that improves the quality of life for pets and their families.
