Karen Murphy, DVM Co-owner of Caring Hands Animal Hospital of Bristow

Dr. Murphy, Co-Owner, is a graduate of Auburn University.  She did a post-graduate internship at Angel Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, MA.  She practiced in North Carolina’s Piedmont region for 5 years before joining Caring Hands Animal Hospital. She has been a part of the Caring Hands family for over 10 years beginning at our Centreville office for 5 years and then opening the Bristow location in 2005. Her interests include preventative medicine, internal medicine, surgery, and ultrasound.

Dr. Boyd, associate veterinarian, is a graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine with an undergraduate degree from James Madison University. She is a life-long resident of the Northern Virginia area and has been a part of the Caring Hands family since 2010. She is particularly interested in the fields of dentistry, preventive medicine, dermatology, and soft tissue surgery. In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, learning photography, and spending time with her husband and two daughters, and their Beagle mix Roxy.

Dr. Zurkus, associate veterinarian, is a graduate of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She also holds a degree in Animal Science from Cornell.  Her professional interests include oncology, soft tissue surgery, emergency/critical care medicine and caring for geriatric patients.  Dr. Zurkus and her husband have a daughter and two sons. She has been a part of the Caring Hands Family since 2006. On the furry side, she has Gracie, a yellow lab; Pixie, a Shih-Tzu mix from the shelter; and Peanut, a domestic short hair, as well as two beautiful corn snakes. In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, skiing, and cooking.

Dr. Gemmill (previously Noack), associate veterinarian, is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Virginia Tech. Dr. Gemmill joined Caring Hands in 2014. Her professional interests include soft tissue surgery, dermatology, and preventative medicine. Dr. Gemmill is a native of Northern Virginia and has lived here most of her life. Her family includes her husband, two children, and their beloved Golden Retriever, Buckley.

Dr. Gnowles, associate veterinarian, is a graduate of Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine with an undergraduate degree from Auburn University.  Her professional interests include geriatric patient care and animal behavior.  In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and hiking with her husband and daughter.  Her extended family includes two rescued dogs, Bean and Cora, two rescued cats, Hunter and Remington, and a room full of reptiles!

Jenna Dean, DVM Medical Director of Caring Hands Animal Hospital of Bristow

Dr. Dean, associate veterinarian, is a graduate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. She completed her undergraduate studies at the College of Charleston and holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration. Her professional interests include pain management, diagnostic imaging, and soft tissue surgery. Dr. Dean is a Northern Virginia native and shares her home with her husband Alex, rescue Rottweiler mix, Jaeda, and foster failure cat, Zazu. In her spare time, she enjoys hot yoga, photography, and fostering neonatal kittens.

Dr. Wade, associate veterinarian, is a graduate of Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her undergraduate studies at Radford University and holds a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. Her professional interests include shelter medicine, emergency/critical care, and preventative medicine. She is a native of Northern Virginia and shares her home with her 3 dogs and cat, Zoe, Zeeke, Zadie, and Theo. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys gardening, hiking, kayaking and watching sports. She is passionate about animal rescue and much of her free time is spent volunteering as the adoption coordinator of a non-profit rescue group.

Dr. Richards, associate veterinarian, joined the Caring Hands staff in April of 2019.  After graduating from Florida State University in 2003 and the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007, he moved to northern Virginia, where he has practiced for the last 12 years.  His professional interests include dermatology and ultrasound.

Dr. Richards is a native New Orleanian and enjoys running/marathon training, swimming, reading, and live music.  He and his wife Carole (also a vet) live with 2 dogs and 3 cats.