Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton, or MASH Vet, has welcomed Dr. Dena Long to its practice. Long has a gentle energy surrounding her, and patients seem to immediately warm up to her.

Long grew up in Florida, attended Wesleyan College, in Macon, Georgia and the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, in Gainesville, Florida. After graduating from UF in 1996, she worked as an associate in private practice, owned a practice in New York, mentored other veterinary teams for a national practice, attended the Chi Institute, in Florida, where she studied acupuncture, provided in-home euthanasia and hospice services and was the medical director at a humane society.

Over the years, Long has witnessed the damage done to pets by the overuse of vaccines and pharmaceutical treatments. Her passion is helping pets heal naturally. She is currently available on Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.