Dr. Hayden received her Bachelor’s of Science in biology from Sweet Briar College and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. During her undergraduate years she spent time working in veterinary clinics as well as conducting field research on eastern coyotes. While attending St. George’s University she was an active volunteer with the One Health One Medicine program and the Ocean Spirits Sea Turtle Research program. In her clinical year, she completed externships for additional training in zoological medicine with the Virginia Zoo and the Sedgwick County Zoo. She also spent time working in the South Pacific with the Esther Honey Foundation providing free preventative care, emergency care, and surgical procedures to the animals of Rarotonga. 

After returning to the states, Dr. Hayden spent two years working in general practice medicine for dogs, cats, and exotics as well as a relief veterinarian in mixed animal practice. She participated in an internship program at CBEAM prior to accepting a position as the Lead Veterinarian for the Virginia Living Museum, an AZA accredited zoological facility in Newport News, Virginia. Despite working for the VLM, Dr. Hayden continued to work as a relief veterinarian in her community in both an emergency and general practice setting and acted as a point of contact regarding wildlife cases for the surrounding hospitals. Dr. Hayden made the decision to relocate to the PNW for a change of pace and to return to CBEAM so that she could continue providing emergency medical care to exotic species. 

Dr. Hayden is passionate about providing care to all species, no matter their size. She has a deep love for wildlife and wildlife conservation, with the ongoing protection of wild canids being at the forefront.

When not working she spends her time exploring with her beloved dogs.