Dr. Dena Lock

I was born in Minnesota and, while growing up, lived in Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Texas, and Tennessee. My dad worked for GM, Porsche, and Saturn—so we moved a lot! I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. I then worked for three years as a veterinary technician while awaiting acceptance into veterinary school. I earned my DVM degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2002. This is where my love of college football—and the Tennessee Volunteers—began.

Another love also became apparent at the University of Tennessee: feline medicine. After interviewing for internships in New York, I decided I’d prefer to have feeling in my toes on a regular basis (it’s freezing there!) and accepted a position as an associate veterinarian with Dr. Gary Norsworthy at Alamo Feline Health Center in San Antonio, Texas. My parents and family were living in Grand Prairie, and the long commute eventually got to me—I wanted to be closer to them.

I joined Cross Timbers AMC in 2005 and loved the many wonderful veterinarians, staff, and clients I had the pleasure of working with over my 21 years there. Eventually, I was ready for a change. After years of encouragement (and prodding!) by my husband, Bevin, I decided to go out on my own. The day after I finally gave in, he contacted the bank for a loan—and not long after that, we found this amazing location in the wonderful community of Canyon Falls.

I am a USDA-accredited veterinarian and enjoy the challenge of helping clients who are traveling or moving overseas with their pets. Travel is another passion of mine. My husband is from the beautiful country of New Zealand, and we try to get back to visit his family as often as possible. If you ever go, let us know—we’d love to help you plan your trip!

We have two amazing teenage girls who keep us busy with gymnastics and Acro competitions. We share our home with a delightful array of felines (the number will not be disclosed for fear of judgment) and one beautiful, sweet Lab/Border Collie mix named “Tenny” (short for Tennessee).

This is usually the part where everyone lists what they do in their spare time—which, if I had some—I’d spend reading (historical fiction and WWII are my genres), learning how to cook so I don’t make my family ill (not sure there’s enough spare time for that), and planning our next vacation (ha! Maybe someday!).

I love veterinary medicine and truly believe I was born to do this (sans the surgery part). I love this profession and the unique, hardworking, intelligent, and honest individuals who comprise it. I plan to work hard to help restore it to the well-respected profession it once was. I look forward to all the new connections I’ll make along the way.

Thank you for letting me be a part of these amazing creatures’ all-too-short—and incredible—lives!