Dr. Rhea McLaughlin grew up primarily in Ireland and earned her veterinary degree from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland in 2023. Before becoming a veterinarian, she spent 10 years working as a veterinary assistant in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, gaining experience in general practice, emergency care, specialty medicine, and anesthesia.
From an early age, Dr. McLaughlin knew she wanted to work with animals. She grew up watching animal-focused movies and television shows, bringing home injured animals, petting every dog she encountered, and spending countless hours watching Animal Planet. Veterinary medicine felt like a natural calling and the only career she could imagine pursuing.
Her professional interests include behavioral medicine, emergency medicine, and anesthesia. She is especially excited to continue building her skills alongside an experienced and collaborative veterinary team. Dr. McLaughlin values creating a positive environment for patients, clients, and coworkers, and she looks forward to earning the trust of pets and their families.
Dr. McLaughlin lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with her partner, Bill, and their energetic rescue dog, Rodeo, who firmly believes that every household task requires canine supervision.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. McLaughlin enjoys hiking, dog training, gardening, watercolor painting, swimming, and yoga. She also cares for more than 30 houseplants, although she admits that only some of them are thriving. A lifelong shark enthusiast, she has watched Shark Week every year since she was five, considers Jaws her favorite movie, and can share plenty of shark facts.