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There is no questioning that our strongest asset here at Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic is our staff. This includes both the people who cheerfully greet you as soon as you step foot in the waiting area and the people who work behind the scenes. We are proud to have a highly educated and diverse staff and find great strength in the variety of opinions and experience we can share. We hope you'll enjoy reading a little more about the individuals who help care for your pets. Please contact us if you or someone you might know would like to join our team.
Our Doctors are members of the Feline Association of Practitioners; American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); Virginia Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA); American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA); Federally Accredited.
Our Veterinarians
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Dr. Robert C. Brown, Director
A native Virginian, Dr. Brown was born in Harrisonburg and reared in Luray on a small dairy farm. He attended Virginia Tech and graduated from the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1971. In 1972, Dr. Brown founded Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic strongly emphasizing wellness and preventive care, with a practice focus on geriatric medicine.
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Dr. Farid Boughanem, Medical Director
Dr. Boughanem was born and raised in Algiers, Algeria where he received his DVM degree from the University of Algiers. He and his wife Nadia moved to the DC area shortly after they graduated from Veterinary School and Medical School respectively. While Nadia completed her residency in Radiology at the George Washington University, Dr. Boughanem put his veterinary career on hold, working first at a financial institution then at a research laboratory. He completed his foreign graduate examinations and licensing requirements while working as a veterinary assistant at Cherrydale. Very quickly, Dr. Boughanem realized the need to set new standards in diagnostic techniques allowing us to be more efficient and more accurate. He undertook the task of developing our state of the art telemedicine service along with diagnostic Ultrasound. In addition to English, he speaks fluent French and Arabic, allowing us to communicate with many of our clients in their native language.
Contact Dr. Boughanem at dr.fboughanem@cherrydalevet.com |
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Dr. Sunny House
Dr. House was raised in Bethel, Connecticut and completed her undergraduate degree at University of Connecticut graduating with a B.S. in Animal Science. She then attended Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. House aspires to continue to build on the medical and surgical foundations she has received from veterinary school.
Contact Dr. House at dr.shouse@cherrydalevet.com |
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Dr. Dharati Szymanski
Dr. Dharati Szymanski is a native of Orland Park, IL. She graduated from Brandeis University in 2002 with a B.S. in Biology and Psychology before attending Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests include Internal medicine, Soft tissue surgery, and Ultrasound. Her hobbies include dance (Ballet, Hip hop, Jazz, Bharata Natyam) (Indian classical dance) and reading. Her husband Adam is a computer scientist and they have one cat named Ronald Weasley.
Contact Dr. Szymanski at dr.dszymanski@cherrydalevet.com |
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Dr. Jackie Keenan
Dr. Keenan is a native of Arlington, Virginia. She was born in Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, DC, and attended Wakefield High School in South Arlington. In 1975 she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Virginia with a double major in Mathematics and Chemistry.
After working for a year in animal related jobs, she went to Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1980. She worked in Greensboro, NC until 1983 when she returned to Fairfax, Virginia to work for two years with Charles Williams, who was doing and still does dental specialty work.
From then on she spent most of her time at Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic, but had to take leave to care for elderly parents. During that time she received a Master in Theological Studies Degree. Her hobbies are playing the Viola and showing her English Springer Spaniels in Obedience. Presently, Nate is her first Springer to be a contender for an Obedience Trial Championship. Dr Keenan also has a ferret named Snowball, whose fondest desire is to figure out what she wants him to do, so he can do the opposite.
Contact Dr. Keenan at dr.jkeenan@cherrydalevet.com |
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Dr. Leslie Meko
Dr. Meko was born in Texas but raised in Russell , KY. After high school she majored in Animal Sciences at Ohio State and then attended The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests include Soft Tissue surgery, Dentistry, and Dermatology. Her hobbies include reading, running, and spending time outdoors with her husband and their Beagle mix, Bonnie. Her husband Tim is a graphics artist and designer for a local non-profit organization. |
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Dr. Davina Catbagan
Dr. Catbagan was born and raised in Carson City , Nevada , then moved to Colorado where she completed her BS in microbiology, her MS in animal anatomy, and her DVM from Colorado State University . Professionally, she greatly enjoys cardiology, internal medicine, surgery, and pain management. In her spare time, she loves to be out side: running, camping, rock climbing, and skiing. She and her husband Aaron have very spoiled Alaskan Malamutes: Bear and Nala. |
Our Technical Staff
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George Montenegro
George is a native of Arlington, VA. He hopes to eventually become a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals. Outside of the clinic George enjoys playing the guitar and drums, listening to metal music, and outdoor activities such as camping and fishing. |
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Ashley Blum
Ashley Blum is an aspiring veterinarian who has recently joined our staff as a veterinarian technician. Growing up with a wide range of family pets such as peacocks, chickens, guinea hens, dogs and cats. Ashley always knew that she was destined to work with animals. Better late than never! Ashley has a farm of her own that she shares with her fianc? Erik that includes their most recent addition, Jasmine-black lab mix, Penny their feisty cocker spaniel and Oscar, their old man kitty. |
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Caroline Vandenberg
Caroline grew up in Alexandria, VA. She went to Columbia University in New York City, and majored in Biology/pre-med. She played division one Lacrosse all 4 years. Caroline is now coaching Varsity Lacrosse at T.C. Williams High School. She is applying to Vet School in October. Caroline has a golden retriever named Piper and 2 cats, Hobie and Touny. |
Our Kennel Assistant Staff
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Victoria E. Mellin
I was born in Boston, MA and moved here when I was a year old. I am sixteen years old and attend Yorktown High School and have wanted to be a Veterinarian since I was four. I love animals, my family, and just hanging with friends.
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Our Office Staff
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Kelli Farrell, Office Manager
My name is Kelli Farrell and I love my career here at Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic. I started with the clinic after ten years in the restaurant business. After learning that running my own restaurant as a General Manager was not my purpose or passion in life; Cherrydale gave me the chance of living my dream of making my purpose caring for animals. Growing up with dogs, cats, and vegetarianism, I have always been a true animal lover at heart. I am happily married (husband – Kevin) with an animal lover daughter (Casey) and am schooling at NOVA and GMU in preparation for vet school some time in the future. I feel truly blessed everyday that I have found something so meaningful in my life. |
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Lindsay Pietropaolo, Receptionist
I’m originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but moved to Virginia to be with my best friend. I graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a major in Sociology and Theater Arts. I would like to go back to school to get my masters degree, although I am still trying to figure out what I really want to do in life. I am very family oriented and couldn’t live without them or my cats, Nikki, Pesci, Gigi, and Casey. |
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Maria Zeigler, Receptionist
My name is Maria Zeigler. I'm originally from Suriname, which is located in South America neighboring Guyana and French Guiana. I currently hold a bachelors Degree in Teaching, and am currently in the process of completing my Bachelors Degree in Translation and Interpreting. Home is where the heart is and that is with my husband. We were married in Holland and moved to the U.S. Before I was married, I taught Secondary Education (High School) for several years before pursuing further studies in translation. Once I complete my studies, I plan to continue my work with Secondary students. I love traveling, dancing and most of all, I love animals. I look forward to a wonderful working experience at Cherrydale and it has simply been a great experience thus far. |
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Amy Ragoschke, Receptionist
I am originally from Oak Creek, WI and only moved to Virginia a short time ago. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Parkside where I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology. After more than three years working as veterinary assistant at a greyhound track, I know that a life working with animals would make me happiest, and I plan to attend veterinary school in the future. I love spending my free-time outdoors with my wonderful greyhound Sooner and my cat Boots. |
Our Administration Staff
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Belle Cadiz, Clinic Administrator
Belle Cadiz, Clinic Administrator, is a native of the Philippines. Belle studied Liberal Arts at St. Mary's College and Special Education at UCLA before starting as a veterinary assistant at Cherrydale in January 1986. Belle is a certified Meyers-Briggs interpreter which has benefited the clinic environment immensely as we build a cohesive clinic team. Belle recently became certified in Veterinary Practice Management from the Krannert Business School at Purdue University. |
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Denise Maddens-Gordy, Administrative Assistant
Denise Maddens-Gordy, our Administrative Assistant, is originally from Washington state and has lived in Northern Virginia for nearly 20 years. She has worked "behind the scenes" at Cherrydale for over 8 years. Without the hard work Denise does at our other office in Herndon, we would not be able to run an efficient business. Denise helps us strive toward being the best veterinary clinic in the country and is proud to be involved with its success from both the business standpoint and due to MBTI training, also from an employee standpoint. |
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Michael Powell, Administrative Assistant
Michael is from the island of St. Kitts/Nevis in the Caribbean. He's been working at Cherrydale since November of 2002. He has a degree in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health, as well as in Wildlife and Forestry Conservation. He is a graduate of Freedom Bible College and Seminary and graduated with a degree in Ministry, and is now apart of the Pastor/Ministers, Evangelism and Christian Education Team at his local Church. Michael is now furthering his education, where is he studying for his Master’s in Ministry. He enjoys listening to music, playing piano/organ, reading, cooking, watching TV, and attending church. He also works with community outreach programs focusing on shut-ins, youth, homeless, and prison populations. |
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