Dr. Tony Poutous grew up in Pittsburgh, PA where his love of animals began early in life.  His childhood was spent caring for a variety of animals from cats and dogs to tadpoles, snakes, and birds.  Following high school, Dr. Poutous attended Cornell University where he studied Genetics and Developmental Biology.  After graduation, he attended Allegheny University of the Health Sciences in Philadelphia for a year of post¬baccalaureate education.  This was followed by two years at Temple University School of Medicine.  Even during his time in Medical school, he never stopped caring for animals, volunteering regularly at the Schuykill Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.  By the end of his second year of medical school, it was clear to Dr. Poutous that he needed to find a career that would allow him to work with animals on a full¬time basis.  He soon accepted a position as field stranding technician at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ.  During this time with the stranding center, Dr. Poutous had the opportunity to work with sick and injured seals, sea turtles, dolphins, and whales.  Following his tenure with the stranding center, he worked for a year at a small animal veterinary clinic and realized that he could best serve the animal community by becoming a veterinarian.

Dr. Poutous graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.  Throughout his four years of vet school, he donated his time to the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association helping to spay, neuter, and provide medical care to hundreds of homeless animals.  He reprised this role helping to care for homeless and unwanted animals when he served as the Supervising Veterinarian at Chesapeake Animal Services (formerly Chesapeake Animal Control).  He loves and enjoys working with all types of animals, not just dogs and cats.  His passion extends to the medicine and surgery of all companion animals including reptiles, exotic mammals and especially birds.  During veterinary school, he served as the president of the Special Species Club and he continues to be an active member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, and the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians.  He is also a past president of the Mid¬Atlantic States Association of Avian Veterinarians, a position which allowed him to help educate other veterinarians, students and veterinary technicians about avian medicine and surgery.

When not at work, Dr. Poutous can usually be found taking care of his own menagerie of animals which includes birds, cats, dogs, fish, lizards, and hedgehogs.  He also enjoys scuba diving, snowboarding, listening to music and just hanging out with family and friends.