4810 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, D.C.
If you’ve cared for a pet with Dr. Katherine LaPorta or Dr. Robert Cullen anywhere in the Washington, DC area, you can now find both of them under one roof at Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Tenleytown.
The new hospital, located at 4810 Wisconsin Ave. NW, brings together two familiar, trusted faces for local pet owners who want to keep seeing the veterinarians who already know their pets. Below, hear directly from Dr. Cullen and Dr. LaPorta about what led them to veterinary medicine, their advice for DC pet owners, and what they’re most looking forward to at the new Tenleytown location.
Meet Dr. Cullen at Caring Hands Tenleytown
Dr. Robert Cullen serves as Co-Owner and Medical Director of Caring Hands Tenleytown, with a professional focus on wellness and preventative medicine, arthritic pain management, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery.
His path into veterinary medicine
Dr. Cullen traces his passion for animal care back to childhood trips to the vet, where every visit meant learning something new while his own pets were cared for with genuine warmth. That early impression never left him. Today, he says he loves the science behind medicine, the relationships built during every appointment, and coming home to share stories from his day with his own kids.
His advice for DC pet owners
Dr. Cullen’s top recommendation isn’t about emergencies – it’s about prevention. Annual checkups catch the subtle changes that are easy to miss day to day, like a cat jumping onto counters less often because of developing arthritis, or a dog needing more nighttime bathroom breaks as an early sign of an underlying issue. Catching these patterns early often prevents a larger emergency later. He also flags DC’s summer heat as a real concern for local pets: keep water available at all times, and once temperatures climb above 90 degrees, shift walks to early morning or evening.
Why he’s excited about Tenleytown
Dr. Cullen describes his motivation simply: he got into veterinary medicine for the science and the chance to improve his patients’ lives, and over time realized that healthier pets also mean happier families. As Caring Hands Tenleytown prepares to open, he’s looking forward to meeting the community and providing a genuine service to both people and pets.
Meet Dr. LaPorta at Caring Hands Tenleytown
Dr. Katherine LaPorta brings decades of experience in preventive care, internal medicine, feline medicine, exotic animal medicine, and client education to the new Tenleytown hospital.
Her path into veterinary medicine
Dr. LaPorta’s family says they knew she’d become a vet by age three, when she developed an early fascination with snakes while growing up in the jungles of Malaysia. That childhood spent overseas, surrounded by unique wildlife, shaped a lasting love of animals. Paired with a scientific mind drawn to solving medical “mysteries,” veterinary medicine turned out to be the natural fit.
Her advice for DC pet owners
Dr. LaPorta points to something unique about Washington, DC: an unusually large, concentrated population of dogs and their owners, all sharing the same walking routes and parks. That density makes socialization, up-to-date vaccines, and regular fecal checks especially important, since diseases and parasites – including Leptospirosis, carried by DC’s rat population – can pass between dogs easily. She also echoes Dr. Cullen’s caution about summer: extreme heat and humidity call for extra care during warm months.
Why she’s excited about Tenleytown
For Dr. LaPorta, the new location is personal. She’s excited to continue practicing in DC, and specifically in the neighborhood where she lived after elementary school. Her hope for Caring Hands Tenleytown is that it becomes a valued, family-oriented neighborhood practice.
Why Former Clients Are Following Their Vets to Tenleytown
Continuity of care matters. A veterinarian who already knows your pet’s history, temperament, and medical quirks can spot changes faster and communicate more clearly than someone starting from scratch. For longtime clients of Dr. LaPorta or Dr. Cullen, Caring Hands Tenleytown offers a chance to keep that continuity without giving up convenience – the practice is AAHA-accredited and built around the same transparent, family-centered approach found at Caring Hands’ other Mid-Atlantic locations.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
New and returning clients begin with a detailed intake from a dedicated veterinary assistant, who gathers your pet’s history and understands your goals for the visit – whether that’s a routine wellness check, a specific concern, or general guidance. From there, every recommendation is explained clearly so you understand the reasoning behind each next step, and every treatment plan is tailored to your pet’s individual needs and your family’s preferences.
Book Your Visit at Caring Hands Tenleytown
Ready to reconnect with Dr. LaPorta or Dr. Cullen? Visit Caring Hands Tenleytown to join the waitlist and book your pet’s next appointment at 4810 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Caring Hands Tenleytown located?
A: Caring Hands Animal Hospital Tenleytown is located at 4810 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., serving Tenleytown and the surrounding DC neighborhoods.
2. Does Dr. LaPorta still practice in Washington, DC?
A: Yes. Dr. Katherine LaPorta now sees patients at Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Tenleytown, continuing the same preventive and internal medicine care she’s provided in the DC area for decades.
3. Where did Dr. Cullen move his veterinary practice?
A: Dr. Robert Cullen now practices at Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Tenleytown, DC, where he serves as Co-Owner and Medical Director.
4. Can I request a specific veterinarian when booking?
A: Yes. When you book online or by phone, you can request Dr. LaPorta, Dr. Cullen, or any other Caring Hands Tenleytown veterinarian by name.
5. Is Caring Hands Tenleytown accepting new and returning patients?
A: Yes. Caring Hands Tenleytown welcomes both new patients and former clients of Dr. LaPorta and Dr. Cullen who want to continue their pet’s care.
6. What is Leptospirosis, and why does it matter for DC dogs?
A: Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection carried by rats and spread through contaminated water or soil. Because DC has a dense, shared dog-walking community, staying current on vaccines and fecal checks helps limit its spread.
