Meet Our Team

Dr. Kristen Hitt has been practicing Veterinary Medicine in the northern Virginia area for several years. Prior to attending vet school, Dr. Hitt was a registered nurse at a local hospital. Using her nursing skills while caring for a stray dog injured by a car, she realized that her dream job would be to combine her long love of animals with medicine. With the love and support of her family, Kris went to school at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and she became “Dr. Hitt”. As a student, Dr. Hitt was awarded the American Animal Hospital Association’s Student Achievement Award for outstanding achievement in Small Animal Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Hitt worked at a practice in Falls Church and did relief veterinary work for hospitals in Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Upper Marlboro and Germantown as she worked toward her goal of opening her own dream hospital, Mainstay Veterinary Practice.

Dr. Hitt has a strong interest in surgery and has completed multiple continuing education courses in ultrasound. She also believes in ‘giving back’ and started a feral cat program in Falls Church. She has traveled to Kentucky, and most recently to North Carolina, to perform surgeries on rescued puppy mill dogs and animals from low socio-economic areas and she has donated her time to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington.

While not busy helping animals, Dr. Hitt enjoys spending time with her husband and their dogs, Dibs and Moxie, her ‘mutt’ herd of horses at their family farm. Of course, she also enjoys any time she has with her four children, but that time is dwindling as her nest is officially empty. In addition to vet medicine, Dr. Hitt loves traveling, scrapbooking, organizing, and diet coke. She resides in Fairfax with her husband and dogs.

Q & A With Dr. Hitt!

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What is your Favorite?

• Food: Pizza
• Candy: Licorice, Milk Chocolate
• Drink: Diet Coke, Mojito
• Movie: Pride and Prejudice
• TV Show: Law and Order, CSI
• Book: Anything by Jane Austen
• Music: 80s!
• Holiday: Thanksgiving
• Hobby: Needlepoint, scrapbooking, gardening
• Superhero: Wonder Woman

What is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?

Helping my clients strengthen their bonds with their beloved pets who are family members and ensuring that they have the best quality of life possible

What is the Hardest Part of Your Job?

When financial constraints limit successful (or possibly successful) medical care

What is One Medical Case that you Remember like it was Yesterday?

I remember removing a bleeding liver lobe in a small dog that would have died when the owner could not afford the specialist. The cancer was contained in the one lobe and the dog lived several more years!

What's your Favorite Activity Outside of Work?

Walking with my dogs at my farm on the weekends

If you could spend a day with any famous person in the world, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?*

Can I say....Jamie Fraser? LOL

Tell me about the moment you chose to become a doctor.

Animals have always been a part of my life, but I didn't consider being a vet until I was a registered nurse at a hospital. I considered going to medical school and considered the nurse practitioner route, but I had some reservations. One weekend, a stray dog was hit by a car near our farm. I rushed him to the vet for emergency surgery. I had mentioned to the vet that I was a nurse and she said, "Great, you can help!" I monitored anesthesia and she did the surgery to save the little dog. At that exact moment, I knew that becoming a vet would combine my love of medicine with my love of animals. My husband encouraged me to apply to vet school and I have never looked back. I was the only married vet student with children and could never have succeeded without the support of my family. It took a village and I love my job every day!

If you could only pick TWO types of cases in veterinary medicine to work on for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Surgery and Dermatology

Dr. Chamarande (Dr. C) was born and raised in Fontainebleau, France. After she received her French baccalaureate, she earned her Bachelor of Science and her Masters degree in Chemistry from American University. She worked for the chemistry department at the Naval Research Laboratory in DC, but abandoned her career as a chemist to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. She graduated Cum Laude from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VT). After 24 years of service at a practice in Falls Church, Dr. C. decided that it was time for a change. She joined MVP where the owner and staff share her values in providing quality veterinary care and believe in strengthening the bonds between pets and their families to assure a long and happy relationship. She enjoys the atmosphere at Mainstay for it allows time to get to know the pets and their owners, educate owners on veterinary care, discuss training, play with puppies and kitten, and just plain socializing pets!

Dr. C has an active interest in Internal medicine and Animal Behavior and Training. She is a longtime member of AAHA, VVMA, NVVMA, and D.C. Academy of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Chamarande is federally accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which authorizes her to perform evaluations and issue International Health Certificates for pet travel.

In her free time, Dr. C enjoys time with her husband, three children, and her furry pets. She has a frequently-rotating “pet population” at her house as she often finds herself taking in animals that need new homes. Currently the pet population at Dr. C’s household consists of Lazarus (a rescued Yorkie), Chewy (a rescued Anatolian Shepherd) and Rosie (a re-homed chihuahua). That is about all the animals her poor allergic husband can tolerate at this time.

Q & A With Dr. C!

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What is your Favorite?

• Food: French baguettes and cheese
• Candy: Heath bars
• Drink: Coke Zero
• Movie: The Lost Boys
• TV Show: Everybody
• Book: Can't decide! I've read too many!
• Music: Can't decided on this either - I listen to all types of music!
• Holiday: Christmas
• Hobby: Tennis
• Superhero: Spiderman

What is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?

Educating clients

What is the Hardest Part of Your Job?

Delivering bad news to owners

What is One Medical Case that you Remember like it was Yesterday?

Years ago there was a previous client at my previous practice that brought in a Yorkie puppy who had parvo and wanted to euthanize him. He didn't move for 5 days and was on the brink of death. The owner surrendered him to me and I have had him ever since. I named him, Laz!

What's your Favorite Activity Outside of Work?

Horseback riding

If you could spend a day with any famous person in the world, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?*

Sandra Bullock

Tell me about the moment you chose to become a doctor.

I was 5 years old. I wanted to save all of the pets in the world.

If you could only pick TWO types of cases in veterinary medicine to work on for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Dermatology and endocrinology

Dr. Hosler, formerly Dr. Welebir, was born in Fairfax, VA and raised in Potomac, Maryland. She has always had a passion for animals and has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was 4 years old. Dr. Hosler graduated from Penn State with a degree in Biomedical Sciences and relocated to Virginia full-time after receiving her DVM from Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She has worked in emergency medicine, general practice and shelter medicine since starting her career and has always loved forming long-term bonds with her patients and helping them through a variety of ailments. She has a special interest in arthritis, pain management, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and helping families cope with behavior issues in their pets.

Dr. Hosler resides in Lorton with her husband Erik and their two dogs, a dachshund named Gracie Lou and a pittie named Kevin. Outside of work she can be found at the Pure Barre studio, exploring hiking trails or visiting Virginia’s ever-growing number of local vineyards and breweries.

Q & A With Dr. Hosler!

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What is your Favorite?

• Food: Maryland Blue Crabs
• Candy: Milk Duds
• Drink: Sweet Tea
• Movie: Hmm so many good ones!
• TV Show: Law and Order SVU, Ted Lasso
• Book: The Lies That Bind
• Music: 80s, Classic Rock
• Holiday: Christmas
• Hobby: Pure Barre
• Superhero: Wonder Woman

What is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?

Forming a life-long bond with patients

What is the Hardest Part of Your Job?

Helping owners say goodbye

What is One Medical Case that you Remember like it was Yesterday?

A poisonous snake bite on the tail of a dog that ended up needing amputation.

What's your Favorite Activity Outside of Work?

Visiting wineries and breweries with my husband, Erik

If you could spend a day with any famous person in the world, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?*

Princess Diana

Tell me about the moment you chose to become a doctor.

I was 4 years old when I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. I've always felt bonded with animals, especially dogs.

If you could only pick TWO types of cases in veterinary medicine to work on for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Surgery and Behavior

Dr. Horton, originally from Germany and raised in California, and was lucky to spend time in both places growing up. Her lifelong passion for veterinary medicine led her to pursue a career in the field. After completing her undergraduate studies at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, she earned her DVM degree from the University of California at Davis in 2013.

Following her graduation, Dr. Horton joined the US Army Veterinary Corps, serving three years on active duty at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Since then, she has embarked on a diverse professional journey, practicing veterinary medicine in various locations such as Georgia, Kansas, South Korea, and Germany. This widespread experience has provided her with invaluable exposure to different environments and veterinary practices.

In 2022, Dr. Horton and her family made the decision to settle permanently in the Northern Virginia area, where they look forward to establishing their long-term home. The year 2023 marked her joining of MVP, a private practice that aligns perfectly with her vision, boasting an exceptional staff and a vibrant practice culture. Driven by her dedication to staying current with advancements in veterinary medicine, she has developed a particular interest in dentistry.

Residing in Burke, Dr. Horton shares her home with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and two golden retrievers. Remarkably, three of her pets have traversed three continents, and they are thrilled to finally bid farewell to airplane travel. During her leisure time, she treasures moments spent with her family, relishes the opportunity to explore new destinations and cuisines while traveling, takes pleasure in gardening, and finds fulfillment in undertaking DIY home renovations.

Q & A With Dr. Horton!

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What is your Favorite?

• Food: Sushi & French Pastries
• Candy: Chocolate, Dark
• Drink: Coffee and Wine
• Movie: Don't have a favorite, I'm pretty pop culture clueless
• TV Show:See above, but I like a period dramas
• Book: Classics from Dickens or Austen
• Music: Does NPR on the radio count
• Holiday: Christmas
• Hobby: Travel, DIY home renovations, gardening
• Superhero: Wonder Woman

What is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?

When we help a pet and it goes back to living life fully and happily, getting more quality time with their people.

What is the Hardest Part of Your Job?

Having to look an owner in the eye and tell them there is nothing we can do, be it due to financial limits, availability of care, or disease we don't have treatments for.

What is One Medical Case that you Remember like it was Yesterday?

I had a working dog who came to me with a bleeding splenic mass. He had never lived outside a kennel. We removed his spleen and he was able to go straight from my clinic to his handler's couch. Cancer took him too soon, but he got to spend his last days knowing a home.

What's your Favorite Activity Outside of Work?

I love to travel, I'm very lucky to have been able to live and travel around the globe.

If you could spend a day with any famous person in the world, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?*

Impossible to choose. I would love to spend a day with one of my heroes in medicine or science, especially someone who brings together environment, medicine and policy.

Tell me about the moment you chose to become a doctor.

I remember being a child (without pets) and going to my doctor, afterwards telling everyone that I wanted to do what they did, but for animals.

If you could only pick TWO types of cases in veterinary medicine to work on for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Dentistry and Happy Puppy Visits.

Dr. Anna Findlay was born in Williamsburg, VA and raised on a beef cattle ranch in the 757 area. She has been surrounded by animals big and small for her entire life. She spent her summers helping around the farm and volunteering and working at local small animal general practices.

Dr. Findlay graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Biological Sciences and received a DVM from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. GO HOKIES! Dr. Findlay is a new graduate and is very excited to start her career surrounded by the support of the amazing team at MVP. Dr. Findlay has special interests in preventative medicine, dermatology, and soft tissue surgery. She is passionate about fear-free practices and wants to make all of her patients feel comfortable and happy during their visits!

Dr. Findlay now lives in Chantilly with her boyfriend, Isaac. She has a young doodle dog named Opie, who she adopted as a puppy while in veterinary school. In her free time, she enjoys exploring and hiking, trying out new recipes, and shopping.

Q & A With Dr. Findlay!

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What is your Favorite?

• Food: Sushi
• Candy: Reese’s
• Drink: Sparkling water
• Movie: The Wedding Singer or anything Disney/Pixar
• TV Show: The Office, Criminal Minds, anything on food network with Guy Fieri!
• Book: Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite, but I enjoy reading mystery/suspense books on a regular basis
• Music: Anything! Also a die-hard Backstreet boys fan
• Holiday: Christmas
• Hobby: Painting/crafts, hiking, baking
• Superhero:Thor

What is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?

Helping pets age gracefully and forming life-long relationships with pets and their families.

What is the Hardest Part of Your Job?

Giving bad news.

What is One Medical Case that you Remember like it was Yesterday?

A super sweet yellow lab puppy who came in for terrible skin lesions on the face. We diagnosed puppy strangles and started treatment. A few days later at the recheck, all the lesions were healed and the puppy was feeling back to normal. It was a very satisfying case!

What's your Favorite Activity Outside of Work?

I really enjoy exploring the area and going on new hikes with my boyfriend and our dog. I also love channeling my creative side with activities like painting and refinishing furniture.

If you could spend a day with any famous person in the world, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?*

Steve Carell because I think he would be so interesting.

Tell me about the moment you chose to become a doctor.

I’ve known I wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. Being surrounded by animals all my life, and reading James Harriots books solidified my dream.

If you could only pick TWO types of cases in veterinary medicine to work on for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Preventative medicine and dermatology

Head Licensed Veterinary Technician

Brittany grew up in Lorton, Virginia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Communications from Christopher Newport University. She was originally in school to become a teacher, but after taking a volunteer position at The Virginia Living Museum, she realized her true passion was working with animals. She has three years of experience working at a dog and cat boarding facility. There she really developed her skills in animal care and furthered her love for the furry four-legged community, especially those of the English Bulldog variety. Brittany also has experience working with animal rescue organizations such as the Norfolk SPCA and SPCA NoVA. In her free time, Brittany enjoys playing Disney Princesses with her young nieces and spending time with her family and friends. You can often find her shopping for Vera Bradley bags, eating lots of Pho soup or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs.

Nicholas was born and raised in Western Maryland where he graduated from Frostburg State University with a Bachelors in Sociology. His first animal welfare job started at his local shelter in Washington County where he went from being a kennel tech to working with the high volume spay/neuter team. He transitioned into general practice where he continued to learn more about veterinary medicine. During that time, Nicholas gained 5 years of veterinary experience and especially enjoys mentoring others in the field. He hopes to help MVP grow its staff by providing a training program that is both high quality and fun. At home, Nicholas takes care of his partner and two dogs, Atlas and Luna. In his off time, Nicholas enjoys sailing on the Chesapeake or finding more plants to add to his plant room.

Kaylee was born in Woodbridge, Virginia and started her animal career as a summer teen volunteer at the Prince William County Animal Shelter when she was 15. A year later she was old enough to start working as a Kennel assistant at her local animal hospital and the rest is history. Kaylee enjoys every part of the veterinary field and looks forward to taking classes to get her Veterinary Technician License! She is now living in Fairfax and enjoys coming to work with the MVP team. Outside of the clinic she shares her two dogs, Blueberry and Kisses, with her mom and loves superhero movies and tv shows.

Nikira was born and raised in Washington DC and moved to Virginia in 2005. Her passion for animals sparked in high school when she started pet sitting for her neighbors and friends. Nikira enjoys taking care of dogs, cats, exotics and her two favorites, Neela, the spunky pitbull, and SugarPlum, the potbellied pig. Nikira has 7 years of experience in the veterinary field ranging from general practice to emergency. In those years, she has worked on developing her animal care skills and is currently in school working towards becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician. In her free time, Nikira studies for school and pet sits for her community. She hopes to one day specialize in veterinary medicine in surgery and dental care.

Savannah, a skilled veterinary assistant, is always eager to lend a helping hand to our furry friends. She is currently juggling her passion for animals while pursuing a nursing degree. When she's not busy at work or school, you can find her enjoying quality time with her beloved Chihuahua, Belle, who brings endless joy to her life. In her downtime, Savannah loves to unwind and relax, whether it's through watching TV, napping, or trying out new hobbies.

Grace was born in the Philippines and raised in Northern Virginia. She has loved animals her whole life, especially dogs, but since joining MVP she has a new found love for cats that is growing drastically and catching up! Grace’s favorite things to do outside of the practice include trying new food, watching scary movies, and shopping!

Savannah grew up in Arlington, VA but lived overseas in England for 4 years before moving back to Fairfax, VA for high school. Ever since she was little she wanted to work with animals, and entered the animal field after her freshman year of college, where she interned at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Clarke County, VA! Savannah officially joined the veterinary field in 2019 as an assistant and graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2021 with a Bachelors in Biology with a minor in environmental studies. Her favorite thing about working in this field is spending her day with animals and constantly learning. In her free time, Savannah can be found either cuddling with her pets, Molli and Pearl, attending a boxing class, or enjoying the outdoors!

Maddie was born and raised in Northern Virginia and has been in the veterinary field since 2016 when she started work at the front desk in general practice. It was her beloved family dog, Cooper, that inspired her start in veterinary medicine back in 2016. In his last year and a half of life, he taught her more than a few things about senior dog care and the dedication it takes to manage a chronically ill pet-through medications, laser therapy, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy – he was a perfect patient!

Maddie enjoys spending time with her family and navigating the ups and downs of training their sweet and stubborn new rescue puppy named Ellie. Outside of work, she enjoys watching a good documentary, catching a local theatre production, gardening, and if it’s a race weekend- watching a Formula One race.

Megan, a native of Northern Virginia, developed a deep affection for animals early on, inspired by her grandmother's nurturing of the wildlife that frequented her garden. Unfazed by creatures great and small, Megan naturally gravitated towards large breed dogs, fostering a profound love for them. Two years ago, she embarked on a career transition from Fashion Marketing to the Veterinary field, a decision that ultimately led her to discover her true passion. Megan cherishes her two dogs, Koda Bear and Boba Tea, along with her feline companion, Tofu Bean. During her leisure time, she indulges in cozy moments with her beloved pets and eagerly explores new culinary experiences at various eateries. Joining MVP has filled Megan with overwhelming excitement as she anticipates the opportunity to learn and grow alongside the exceptional team.

Kelly was born in New Jersey but has lived in Virginia since middle school. She started in an emergency veterinary practice in 2007 and has spent most of her veterinary career in emergency and specialty medicine. Being in the field on the administrative side of the practice, starting as a receptionist and moving into management roles motivated her to get her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership with a Major in Management.

When not at work Kelly enjoys relaxing with her black cat Zoey and reading. She can also be found spending time with family, especially watching football.

Blaine, a resident of Arlington, Virginia, shares her life with her husband, daughter, and their chocolate lab named Mato. She was born and raised in Arlington and remains connected to her roots. Blaine holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from James Madison University, and she further pursued her education at Georgetown University, earning a Master's in Business Administration. Growing up with a veterinarian mother, Dr. Hitt, Blaine has always been immersed in the world of veterinary medicine. The two of them were constantly found nursing injured wildlife back to health. Together, they established Mainstay Veterinary Practice, a testament to their passion for animals.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Blaine finds solace in outdoor activities such as hiking and traveling. She has set herself the ambitious goal of visiting all the National Parks during her lifetime. Among her cherished travel memories, two experiences stand out: hiking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park and conquering Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. These adventures have left a lasting impression on Blaine, fueling her passion for exploration and nature.

Carina was born and raised in Salinas, California and moved to Virginia with her husband Robert 9 years ago. She has her associates in business administration and is currently working towards her bachelors. She’s been in the veterinary industry for the past 8 years, but has been an animal lover since birth. While Carina loves your pets and enjoys helping take care of them on a daily basis, she has two cats of her own, Hambone and Chedda, along with three dogs, Max, Gus, and Preci. In her spare time, Carina enjoys pet sitting, reading, baking, watching movies, and spending time with her husband exploring the DC area. Carina looks forward to going to work and making a difference in your pet’s lives every day.

Rachel is an experienced veterinary receptionist. Born in Maryland and raised in Northern Virginia, Rachel has always had a passion for animals since she grew up with dogs. She is currently looking to adopt a cat with her partner. Her love for pets led her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, and she has been working in the field since 2019.

In addition to her work in the veterinary field, Rachel has a background in yoga instruction. She used to teach yoga classes in her spare time and still enjoys practicing yoga and hiking as a way to stay active and maintain her mental and physical well-being.

Rachel’s passion for animal welfare and her commitment to providing the best possible care make her an invaluable member of our veterinary team.

Hope is a passionate member of our veterinary team, having joined us in 2023. She started her veterinary career in 2019. With a deep love for animals, Hope finds great joy in being around them every day. If you ask her, she'll say she is more of a dog person, but that doesn't mean she would give any less love to the cats that come into our practice. She embraces every opportunity to expand her knowledge in this field. At MVP, she eagerly looks forward to meeting and caring for all of our patients.