My story

I grew up in Warrenton, VA with a house full of pets and horseback riding every second I could.  After receiving my undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech I attended the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2009. I then completed one year internship in emergency and speciality medicine at The Hope Center in Vienna, Virginia.  After my internship I practiced small animal general medicine in Northern VA and DC. 

During this time I became exposed to chiropractic & holistic care for myself and the results were amazing. This prompted me to pursue training so I could offer the same modalities to my patients. I obtained my certification in Animal Chiropractic (cAVCA) through the AVCA (American Veterinary Chiropractic Association). I then attended Chi University of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) and obtained my certification in Veterinary Acupuncture (CVA). I believe nutrition plays an important role in optimizing our pets’ lives, so I obtained my certificate in Veterinary Natural Nutrition (CVNN) through the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. I will be offering nutrition consults in the near future.

Throughout the years of school and life I always had my perfect little cat, Madeline (pictured right), by my side who I adopted at 1 year of age. In 2023 I had to make the hard decision to say goodbye to her a few months shy of her 20th birthday. A colleague came to our home so she could be in my arms on her favorite couch. It was such a gift to be able to give her a calm & kind passing. Since then I have become a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinarian (CPEV) to offer the same comfort to others.

Having obtained certifications in both veterinary acupuncture & chiropractic, I am uniquely qualified to offer a variety of treatment options for your pet. I am one of the only veterinarians in the DC Metro area certified in both.

I hope to be a benefit to our community by creating healthier & happier pets and giving them the dignity of a peaceful passing when it’s time.

In my free time I still enjoy horse back riding. I also love traveling the world and filling my “life resume” with as many awesome experiences as possible. I’ve been able to practice medicine in South Africa which, among other things, included de-horninig rhinoceroses to protect them from poachers and medical checks on lions (pictured right). I’ll probably have a new adventure to tell you about when we meet.

~ Dr. Julia