With the founding of Hampden Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Kelly Papke has fulfilled a lifelong dream to start her own practice in the place that she has called home all her life. A native of Hampden, Dr. Papke knew from the age of six that she would devote her life and career to helping animals. After attending Hampden Elementary, Roland Park Middle and graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic, her journey toward veterinary medicine led her to Philadelphia. There, Dr. Papke received a B.S. in Biological Sciences form Drexel University in 1993, followed by her VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997.

Dr. Kelly Papke began her career practicing first in Chicago, and then New York City. During these early years she gained a wide range of experience working in practices of varied type and was living in New York City during the events of 9/11. Dr. Papke was one of the volunteer veterinarians serving search and rescue dogs deployed at Ground Zero, a memorable and powerful experience for which she was officially honored by the city.

In 2002, Dr. Papke returned home to Maryland, where she has been practicing ever since. Her over two decades in practice have given her extensive knowledge and experience in all areas of veterinary medicine including veterinary dentistry, dermatology, radiology, soft tissue surgery, gastroenterology, pain management and senior care. Even with her extensive background, Dr. Papke considers continued research and learning vital to being a good doctor, remaining open to new ideas, advancements and therapies.

In 2017, Dr. Kelly Papke decided the time was right to open her own hospital. Her goal is for the Hampden Veterinary Hospital to be a place where both patients and their people feel at home, devoting time to create and nurture relationships with both you and your pet. Dr. Papke’s style of veterinary medicine is based upon open communication, education, and active pet parent involvement. She wants to help you and your pet live the best possible life together by providing quality care for all stages of your pet’s journey.

Outside of work, Dr. Kelly enjoys spending time with family, her dogs Newman and Begley and a three- legged cat named Dave Matthews. She loves visiting the beach (where she is apt to scour for shells and seaglass ), baking cupcakes, and dreaming up her next sewing project.