Dr. Helton has been performing surgeries and treating shelter animals since 2016 at Dakin Humane Society. She graduated with a DVM from Tufts University in 2015 and completed externships in shelter medicine and spay/neuter surgery including 3 weeks of training at the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance in Asheville, North Carolina.

Dr. Helton has also worked as a surgeon and shelter medicine veterinarian at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, Sterling Animal Shelter, and on the Catmobile/Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society.

Dr. Helton has a special interest in zoological (exotic) companion animal medicine and surgery. She volunteers with the House Rabbit Network to provide medical and surgical services to rescue rabbits. At Dakin Humane Society, Dr. Helton is the exotic animal medicine expert on staff and treats a wide variety of species ranging from hamsters and chinchillas to ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her pack of Chihuahuas, gardening with her ducks, and enjoying the company of her cats.