Jeffery Newman, DVM  Co-owner of Caring Hands Animal Hospital of Alexandria, Arlington, Ashburn, Merrifield, Rockville, and Clarendon.

Dr. Newman, Co-Owner, is a graduate from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University in 1992. He has practiced veterinary medicine in Georgia, Nevada, and in Virginia. His interests include emergency medicine, surgery, and shelter medicine. He has three children: a daughter, Virginia, and twins, Elisabeth and Jack. His extended family consists of two dogs: Honeysuckle and Daisy May; three cats: Three, Tangerine, and Kip; two Guinea pigs: Nonie and Milkshake; and bird: Spencer; and a horse: Charlie.

Dr. Newman is the immediate past president of the VVMA, an advisor for the NOVA Veterinary Technician Program, Vice President of the Loudoun Community Cat Coalition, board member of the Friends of Loudoun County Animal Services, and President of CHASE (Caring Hands Animal Support and Education).

Dr. Garcia, associate veterinarian, graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts. She spent one year at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in clinical training with a concentration in small animal medicine. Her interests include internal medicine, dermatology, and preventative health care. She currently lives in Fairfax with her husband Chris, their sons CJ and Jaden, their pit bull Lola, their cat Dewey whom she found while at school on the island of St. Kitts.

Dr. Shults, associate veterinarian, graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. She then completed a small animal medical and surgical internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Shults has been practicing in the Northern Virginia area several years, 5 of which were at a feline-only practice. Her interests include dentistry and senior health care. In her free time, Dr. Shults enjoys hiking and other outdoor activities with her husband Chuck, who works for Fairfax County Public Schools, and their two sons Spencer and Barrett. Their animal kingdom also includes Dude the orange tabby, a snake; Silent a Ball Python, and a tank of tropical fish.

Michelle Vitulli, DVM Founder of Caring Hands Animal Hospital, Inc is the owner of Caring Hands Animal Hospital, Inc in Centreville and co-owner of Caring Hands Animal Hospital of Alexandria, Arlington, Ashburn, Bristow, Merrifield, Rockville, and Clarendon.

Dr. Michelle Vitulli, founder, and owner of Caring Hands Animal Hospital, Inc in Centreville, Virginia, is a 1991 graduate of Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Vitulli is a co-owner of 7 other Caring Hands locations, Arlington which opened in 2002, Bristow, which opened in 2005, Ashburn which opened in 2007, Alexandria, which opened in 2012, Merrifield, which opened in 2014, Rockville which opened in 2015, Clarendon which opened in 2016, and a location in Aventura, FL in 2017. She has interests in cardiology, internal medicine, and preventive care for senior pets. Dr. Vitulli, and her husband Bob have three children, Daniel, Julia and Anna, a dog named Harley, and three cats named Dewey, Little Bear, and Aslan.

Dr. Thornton, associate veterinarian, graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from the Northern Virginia area, she has returned to be closer to friends and family. She got her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and remains a diehard Hokie fan. Her special interests include ultrasound and internal medicine. Outside of work she enjoys watching movies, reading, and spending time outdoors. Dr. Thornton currently lives in Arlington with her dog, Casey.

Dr. Deoudes, associate veterinarian, graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She then completed a small animal emergency and rotating internship at VCA Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, MD. Her interests include neurology, emergency medicine, and preventative health care. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking with her 3 rescue mutts (General, Sergeant, and Scout), playing soccer, and watching sports, especially football. She is very passionate about animal rescue work, and much of her free time is spent volunteering as the medical director and a foster for a small non-profit rescue group.

Dr. Brooks, associate veterinarian, graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Growing up in the Northern Virginia area, she went to Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C., and Sweet Briar College for her B.S. in Biology. Her special interests include fear-free handling, behavior modification/training, and anesthesia. In her free time, you’ll find her running and hiking with her dog Idgie (who she frequently refers to as her soulmate) or listening to live music. She is very passionate about service dog work and completed one of her clinical rotations with Saint Francis Service Dogs in Roanoke, VA. She currently resides in Centreville with Idgie, Jamie (calico cat), and Neytiri (corn snake).

Dr. Heather Skowron is a new Veterinarian with Caring Hands Animal Hospital Arlington. Dr. Skowron received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in 2023. Her special interests include internal medicine, fear-free handling, and feline medicine.

Dr. Skowron joined the veterinary profession after 20 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. Her career as an engineer in the Coast Guard took her to many parts of the country, including living in Alaska. Dr. Skowron has always loved animals and after volunteering at local wildlife rehabilitation centers, she decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Skowron resides in northern Virginia and shares her home with her cats, which includes the latest addition of a spunky blind Siamese kitten!