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!
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
