Dr. Horton, originally from Germany and raised in California, was fortunate 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 graduation, Dr. Horton joined the U.S. 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 locations such as Georgia, Kansas, South Korea, and Germany. This wide-ranging experience has provided 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. In 2023, she joined MVP, a private practice that aligns perfectly with her vision, offering an exceptional staff and a vibrant practice culture. Driven by her commitment to continuing education and 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 two daughters, two cats, and two golden retrievers. Remarkably, three of her pets have traveled across three continents, and they are all thrilled to finally be done with airplane travel. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new destinations and cuisines, gardening, and tackling DIY home renovation projects.
Q & A With Dr. Horton!
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.
