Dr. Hart is a Northern Virginia native who continues to call the area home, where she lives with her two beloved dogs: Norman, a Pug, and Nellie, a Great Dane mix. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Old Dominion University, followed by a Master’s in Veterinary Forensic Science from the University of Florida. Dr. Hart went on to achieve her DVM from St. George’s University and completed her clinical training at Virginia Tech in 2021.

From a young age, Dr. Hart’s love for animals was evident—her first full sentence as a child was, “Can I please pet your dog?” She fearlessly approached dogs of all sizes, thanks to her upbringing alongside a German Shepherd and an English Mastiff. While she doesn’t have a favorite breed, she holds a special affection for giant dogs and squishy-faced breeds. Although her family couldn’t have cats due to allergies, Dr. Hart has developed a deep appreciation for her feline patients, winning them over with head scratches and churu treats.

Dr. Hart’s favorite aspect of veterinary medicine is the unique bond she forms with clients and their pets. She is passionate about guiding pet parents through the joys and challenges of animal care.

Outside of work, Dr. Hart enjoys spending time at the beach, reading, gardening, trying her hand at various crafts (even if they remain unfinished), doing spin classes, and watching horror movies.

Q & A With Dr. Hart!

What is your Favorite?

  • Food: Ice cream
  • Candy: Reese’s peanut butter cups (but the holiday pumpkins, trees, and eggs are the best!)
  • Drink: Lemonade or Margarita
  • Movie: Jaws – it was the first horror movie I ever saw and has reigned supreme
  • TV Show: Criminal minds
  • Book: I don’t have one favorite, but the murder/thriller genre is my favorite
  • Music: I enjoy all types of music, but I’m an emo kid forever
  • Holiday: Halloween
  • Hobby: Traveling and reading
  • Superhero: Batman

What is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?

Seeing the excitement when family’s come for their first puppy/kitten appointments and the happy faces after a pet has been hospitalized for a procedure or an illness and they leave feeling so much better

What is the Hardest Part of Your Job?

Challenging cases where we just can’t seem to get the answers or results that we want or lead us in the direction of a diagnosis – these cases leave me feeling very frustrated and defeated

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

I once saw a kitten that was on the brink of death for what felt like the entire first year of his life. I spent hours researching and planning only for his test results to be vague or inconclusive. Eventually we got him out of his rut, and seeing him happy, healthy, and thriving during his first big boy cat wellness appointment made every minute of effort worth the fight.

What’s your Favorite Activity Outside of Work?

Reading and exploring new places

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

Blake Lively – I want to be her friend and tour her closet

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

I have always loved animals and have enjoyed helping them and caring for them. I unfortunately had a medical scare of my own right before vet school applications were due and I didn’t know if vet school was going to be in the cards for me. Against the advice from charge nurses and doctors, I stuck to it and submitted my vet school applications from my hospital bed in the ICU. I told myself that my desire to be a veterinarian was the fuel I needed to get through the battle, crossed my fingers, and hoped that the admissions board would see my motivation, drive, and passion for this field. Being accepted and medically cleared to travel to start school in the following cycle made the celebration even sweeter and reinforced what I always knew – that I was meant to be a veterinarian.

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