I’m originally from Connecticut, but I moved to Virginia after completing my degree in History and Education at the University of New Hampshire. I became a Social Studies teacher at Notre Dame Academy in Middleburg, where I wasn’t just a teacher but also “Mom” to 32 young women living in the dormitory. Though I eventually left teaching to explore other interests, I’ve stayed in touch with many of my students, which has been incredibly rewarding.
After leaving education, I had the chance to pursue a variety of careers, ranging from working for an international trade association to roles in telecommunications at MCI and Cable and Wireless, and later with Blackboard, an e-education infrastructure company. It was during my time at Blackboard that I fell in love with Boxers! Growing up, I had dogs, but I never imagined having one as an adult while commuting from Sterling into DC.
That all changed when I connected with Boxer Rescue in Reston and adopted my first Boxer, Max. Max needed a dog door, a dog walker (shoutout to Yvette!), and of course, the best vet I could find. That’s how I first started coming to Animal Medical Center of Cascades more than 20 years ago, and I’ve been taking all my dogs to Dr. Mitchell ever since. Over the years, my pups—Max, Tippy, Gigi, Joey, Sadie, Mia, and Buddy—have all made the trip from West Virginia, where I now live, down to Sterling for their veterinary care.
So, when Dr. Mitchell called me and asked if I’d like to join the team, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I’ve been with the clinic since June of 2024, and I absolutely love working around animals and being part of such a talented and amazing team.