Dr. Brigit Villines was born in Zug, Switzerland, and emigrated to the United States on her third birthday. During her childhood growing up in Indiana and Tennessee, she had a variety of pets. Visits to her parents’ veterinarian sparked her interest in veterinary medicine. After receiving her veterinary degree from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993, she worked in small animal private clinical practice until 2013. She began working with rescue groups in private practice, which introduced her to her calling: shelter medicine. From 2013 to 2026, she worked in industry as a technical services veterinarian for a veterinary pharmaceutical company. During this time, she was also a relief veterinarian for PAWS Atlanta performing HQHVSN surgeries. Dr. Villines eagerly accepted the role of shelter veterinarian for Lifeline Animal Project in March 2026.