Meet Our TeamGet to Know The MVPs Caring For Your Pets

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!

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!

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 known as Dr. Welebir, was born in Fairfax, VA, and raised in Potomac, Maryland. From a young age, her passion for animals drove her ambition to become a veterinarian, a dream she held since the age of 4.

After completing her undergraduate studies in Biomedical Sciences at Penn State University, Dr. Hosler earned her DVM from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She then made Virginia her permanent home, where she has dedicated herself to various facets of veterinary medicine, including emergency care, high volume surgery, general practice, and shelter medicine. Throughout her career, she has cherished the opportunity to build enduring relationships with her animal patients, guiding them through diverse health challenges.

Dr. Hosler’s professional interests span a wide spectrum, encompassing arthritis management, pain relief, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and assisting families in navigating behavioral issues with their pets.  She resides in Manassas with her husband, Erik, daughter, Lyla, and her two beloved dogs: Gracie Lou, a dachshund, and Kevin, a pittie. Outside of her career, she enjoys activities such as attending Pure Barre classes, exploring hiking trails, and discovering Virginia’s vibrant array of local vineyards and breweries.

Q & A With Dr. Hosler!

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, 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.

Dr. Courtney Mahon grew up in Ellicott City, MD. She wanted to be a veterinarian ever since she was 5 years old. She received her BS in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences from Penn State University in 2014 and her DVM from Ohio State University in 2018. She has been practicing in northern Virginia since graduation. She spent the last two years prior to joining MVP as a relief veterinarian, practicing general medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine at many hospitals in the area.

Dr. Mahon has special interests in preventative medicine, behavior/training, surgery, and pain management. She is passionate about educating clients on the importance of all aspects of preventative care so that their pets live long, happy, healthy lives. She learned a ton about behavior and training from her experiences with her own dog who used to hate veterinary care. She is a Fear Free Certified Professional and is skilled in teaching cooperative care behaviors to dogs so that they learn that veterinary visits don’t have to be scary, and can even be fun! She also enjoys performing soft tissue surgeries, ranging from routine spay/neuter to advanced and emergent abdominal procedures like foreign body removal, pyometra, and mass removals. She is passionate about providing excellent pain management to all of her patients – whether related to surgery or for chronic painful conditions like arthritis.

Dr. Mahon lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband, Sean, and her Australian Cattle Dog, Finn. She spends most of her free time hiking with Finn, traveling with Sean, and exploring local wineries and breweries.

Q&A With Dr. Mahon

What is your Favorite?

• Food: Essentially any seafood dish
• Candy: My mom’s chocolate fudge
• Drink: Flavored lemonade sparkling water
• Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
• TV Show: Ted Lasso, Schitt’s Creek, Gilmore Girls
• Book: Truly impossible to choose – I love reading and I’ll read any genre!
• Music: Pop
• Holiday: Thanksgiving
• Hobby: Hiking, baking, reading, and dog sports with Finn
• Superhero: Black Widow

What is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?

I find it most rewarding when I walk away from an appointment knowing that I really made a difference for the patient and his or her family, whether it be fixing a sudden illness, better managing a chronic illness, providing better pain control for arthritis, or helping with a training or behavior issue.

What is the Hardest Part of Your Job?

Delivering bad news. No matter how many times I do it, it never gets easier to tell someone that their beloved dog or cat has a terminal illness or something that I can’t fix.

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

I once saw a dog that had a HUGE tumor on his kidney, and his family was unable to take him to the specialist to remove it. Despite knowing that I had never done a procedure like that before, they entrusted me to take him to surgery to try to save him. Surgery was really successful and he recovered well. The tumor came back as an extremely rare form of an aggressive cancer, but this dog fortunately did not show any signs of metastasis at the time. He lived a great life for quite a while after surgery, and his family was so grateful. That was a really rewarding case!

What’s your Favorite Activity Outside of Work?

I love to hike and travel – I combine the two anytime that I can!

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

Steve Irwin! He was one of many people that inspired my love of animals! It would also be amazing to go out and spend a day studying chimpanzees with Jane Goodall!

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

This is a question that would be better answered by my parents! At 5 years old I stated that I wanted to be a vet when I grew up, and I never changed my mind!

Dr. Dickerson, a proud Northern Virginia native, felt a strong pull to return to her roots after college to be near friends and family. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and gained valuable hands-on experience working in small animal clinics across Northern Virginia as a kennel assistant, receptionist, and veterinary assistant.

Inspired to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, Dr. Dickerson completed a second Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences before attending veterinary school at St. George’s University on the stunning island of Grenada. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, she began her career in Northern Virginia, starting in primary care and later transitioning to emergency medicine at a 24/7 emergency center.

In 2024, Dr. Dickerson joined Mainstay, drawn to the opportunity to return to primary care and build lasting relationships with pets and their families while enjoying a more consistent schedule. She is deeply passionate about feline-friendly medicine and has a strong interest in dermatology, endocrinology, and neurology. However, her greatest joy comes from helping any dog or cat feel their best.

Dr. Dickerson lives in Fairfax, Virginia, with her significant other and her beloved cat, Kaia (affectionately called Poo). They are excited to expand their fur family soon—with Kaia’s blessing, of course!

Q & A With Dr. Dickerson!

What is your Favorite?

• Food: Thai food
• Candy: Reese’s Take Five
• Drink: Coffee or Wine
• Movie: Blow
• TV Show: Breaking Bad
• Book: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
• Music: 90’s Alternative or 70’s rock
• Holiday: Halloween
• Hobby: Tap dancing
• Superhero: Batman

What is the Most Rewarding Part of Your Job?

The most rewarding part of my job is helping sick pets feel better and guiding their families through the process. I take pride in educating clients, empowering them with the knowledge they need to provide the best care for their beloved companions.

What is the Hardest Part of Your Job?

The hardest part of my job is dealing with the financial limitations that can sometimes impact the care we’re able to provide. I deeply empathize with the guilt and worry that pet parents feel when faced with tough decisions, and it’s difficult knowing that I may not always have all the answers. However, I’m committed to doing everything I can to find solutions and provide the best possible care for my patients and support for their families, even in the most challenging situations.

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

The cases that stick with me the most, the ones I remember like they happened yesterday, are the abuse and neglect cases brought in by Animal Control. These animals who had suffered unimaginable circumstances, and there are two or three in particular that were absolutely heartbreaking. Those moments will stay with me forever.

What’s your Favorite Activity Outside of Work?

Hiking, cooking, tap dancing and going to concerts!

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

Dave Grohl or Jimmy Page; both because of the music they made and they seem like very cool humans.

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

I vividly remember the moment I decided to become a veterinarian. I was 28 years old and had been working at general practice for several years as a receptionist and assistant. Although I loved what I was doing, I wasn’t making much money. I was offered a higher-paying job at a human neurology office, and while it seemed like the practical choice, I had a strong, almost visceral reaction to the idea of going to work without animals in my life. I’d always been fascinated by medicine and had even considered becoming a human doctor at one point, but in that moment, I realized that my passion lay in caring for animals. That realization was all the clarity I needed, and I immediately set out on my journey to vet school. It was a life-changing decision, and I’ve never looked back.

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.

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.

Jessie, the General Manager of Mainstay Resort, is a passionate animal advocate with over 17 years of dedicated experience in companion animal care. Her expertise spans both veterinary medicine and caregiving, making her a well-rounded leader in the field.

Nicole has been a Licensed Veterinary Technician since 2014. She has a passion for making the veterinary experience enjoyable for all pets and owners. Nicole has extensive experience in high volume surgery centers where a regular day for her was getting 40-60 pets prepped and ready for surgery and recovered post-op. In her spare time, Nicole loves running, hiking, gardening and spending time with her furry friends.

Kaylee, a Northern Virginia native, began her journey in animal care at just 15 years old as a summer teen volunteer at the Prince William County Animal Shelter. By 16, she had secured her first job as a kennel assistant at a local animal hospital-and she's been passionate about veterinary medicine ever since.

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!

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.

Josie is a recent graduate from Virginia Tech, where she earned her degree in Animal Science in May. With a strong passion for animals and a desire to make a positive impact, she is currently in the process of exploring her career options, including the possibility of pursuing vet school or graduate studies, after taking a year off to gain valuable experience.

Katie, an experienced veterinary assistant, was born in Chicago, IL and raised in Richmond, Virginia. In 2021, Katie left the human nursing world and decided to take a chance on veterinary medicine. Shortly after, she realized her passion in life was to care and advocate for our furry friends without a voice. With 3 cats of her own, she quickly earned the title of "crazy cat lady," although she has a love for all animals no matter the size, breed, or species. Outside of work, Katie is working on classes, napping or reading her favorite books. Katie is currently studying hard to get her license as a veterinary technician and looks forward to a very bright future in veterinary medicine and with MVP.

Emma is originally from the scenic Shenandoah Valley, where she grew up surrounded by farmland. Her early years were spent caring for sheep, cows, and her own family pets, which sparked her lifelong passion for animal care.

Always passionate about animals, Melina began volunteering at the Smithsonian Zoo, where she discovered her love for patient care. Since then, she has gained experience in various animal care fields, striving to help as many pets and their owners as possible. At home, she shares her life with her rabbit, Phoebe, her green cheek conure, Ramsay, and her dog, Romeo. When she's not caring for animals, Melina enjoys crocheting and reading.

Grace is a dedicated student currently enrolled in the Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) program at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), where she is actively pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinary technician. Her passion for animal care runs deep, shaped by a lifetime spent around animals that instilled in her a profound sense of compassion, patience, and responsibility.

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.

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.

Chloe is a Fairfax native with a lifelong passion for animals. She grew up spending time on her grandparents' farm, where she developed a deep love for the outdoors and animals of all kinds. Now a proud cat mom to Cody and Flora, Chloe enjoys attending concerts, spending time with friends, and exploring astrology in her free time. She’s thrilled to play a part in keeping your pets happy and healthy!

Dinky is a small French bulldog with a huge personality. She’s convinced she runs Dr. Hitt’s household, though Dr. Hitt’s three other dogs don’t seem to take her seriously. If she throws a little attitude, they just ignore her—which only makes her try harder to act like the biggest dog in the room.

Laz, also known as jumping bean, was turned over to Dr. C when a couple opted to euthanize him at only a couple weeks old as he was comatose from Parvo. Asking if she could try to save him, Dr. C spent days nursing him around the clock until he finally pulled through! You would never know his rough start to life by his cheerful attitude, happy demeanor and wiggling body. Laz loves all dogs and people and is a little energizer bunny. He runs frantically around the practice with his own jumping-like gait and all you see is flowing hair darting by! We appreciate the extra “mopping” he does for us as he covers a lot of ground quickly!

Mato is Blaine’s 7-year-old chocolate lab whose name means “little bear” in Sioux—but let’s be honest, he’s more like a walking stomach with fur. He’s a regular around the practice, often found parked on the scale, locking eyes with the receptionist as if to say, “More treats, please. I’m wasting away.”

Emmy was Dr. Hitt's 13-year-old French Bulldog that passed away peacefully in 2020 after being diagnosed with a very large brain tumor. She was a part of Mainstay Veterinary Practice since it's very beginning, accompanying Dr. Hitt to the construction site and then to work in the office once the practice opened. Emmy was famous among the original MVP clients. She enjoyed nestling in her bed as well as sleeping on her heating pad. Emmy grew up with a chocolate lab brother, Dibs, and a shepherd mix sister, Moxie. Emmy could frequently be found stealing the other dogs' beds. When not sunbathing, she could easily be located by listening for her unique snorting noises. Frequently breaking the rules, Emmy became an angel at the sight of Twizzlers. She loved little kids that were "her size" although deep down Emmy thought that she was a giant dog. She wasn't even afraid to greet horses! Her big personality made up for her small size.