Lauren Henderson, DVM, MPH
HumaneVMA TEXAS STATE CO-REPRESENTATIVE 

Dr. Lauren Henderson is a veterinarian for Emancipet, a nonprofit veterinary organization based in Austin, Texas. Emancipet provides affordable and accessible veterinary care to Central Texas and Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Henderson graduated from the dual-degree program at the University of Tennessee in 2016, receiving a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a master's in public health. Upon graduation, she moved to Houston, Texas, and worked as a small animal and exotics general practitioner. After volunteering as a disaster relief veterinarian in Houston during Hurricane Harvey, Dr. Henderson decided to shift her focus toward low-cost preventative medicine and spay and neuter services by working for the nonprofit organization, SNAP (Spay Neuter Assistance Program).

In 2018, she relocated to Washington state and began working as a shelter veterinarian. While in Washington, Dr. Henderson volunteered with RAVS in Quinault, WA in 2019 as well as volunteered as Washington’s first HumaneVMA State Representative. Dr. Henderson relocated to Austin, Texas in the fall of 2021 to continue her work in shelter medicine, affordable veterinary care, and high-quality high volume spay and neuter surgery. She is a member of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and has been a HumaneVMA member since 2014.

In her free time, Dr. Henderson continues to plan future trips with RAVS, enjoys various forms of outdoor recreation, and traveling. She shares her home with one human, one dog, two cats, and two small birds.

Charles Collins, DVM
HumaneVMA TEXAS STATE CO-REPRESENTATIVE 

Dr. Charles Collins was raised in Angleton, Texas, and earned both his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Texas A&M University. Since 2009, he has practiced veterinary medicine in Brazoria County, Texas, with experience spanning mixed animal practice, small animal general practice, shelter medicine, and veterinary consulting.

Dr. Collins is passionate about advancing animal welfare through shelter and population medicine, preventive care, veterinary pediatrics, and community-based approaches to improving animal health and access to veterinary services. His work reflects a commitment to strengthening the human-animal bond while promoting practical, compassionate solutions for animals and the people who care for them.

A lifelong advocate for agriculture, Dr. Collins and his family raise Brahman cattle in Brazoria County. He enjoys volunteering with local FFA students by mentoring high school students, supporting agricultural education, and encouraging the next generation of animal caretakers and professionals.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Collins serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation and on the Vestry of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Lake Jackson, Texas. As a Texas State Representative for Humane Veterinary Medical Alliance (HumaneVMA), he will advocate for veterinary engagement in animal welfare initiatives and work to connect veterinarians with resources and opportunities to improve the lives of animals throughout the state.

Dr. Collins is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his husband, J.D. Perez, their sons, Luke and Seth, their rescue dogs—Barley, Cookie, Ophie, and Nutmeg—and their "foster-failed" cats, Luna and Snowball.

To contact an HumaneVMA State Representative, please email [email protected].