Manassas Team

Happy black and brown beagle mix lays on exam table on top of a white and black paw print pad and smiles at the camera

Dr. Megan Oelstrom

Dr. Oelstrom has been involved with Anicira Veterinary Center since October 2013. She started as an associate veterinarian at the Manassas hospital helping the practice to grow and helping countless pets and their families. She now serves as the Chief Medical Officer overseeing all of the Anicira hospitals.

Megan received a BA in biology from the University of Virginia in 2005 and earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After graduation, she completed a small animal rotating internship at Regional Veterinary Referral Center in Springfield, Virginia.

She has exhibited a passion for surgery and helping animals in need since veterinary school. During that time, she volunteered with the Rural Area Veterinary Service providing spay/neuter and vaccine clinics in remote areas of the United States.

Megan feels blessed to be able to help animals in her community by providing affordable surgical services.

When not in the hospital, Dr. Oelstrom enjoys many outdoor activities (beach-going, skiing, camping) with her husband, two children, and her “Mississippi mutt” Obi.

Andrea was born and raised in Northern Virginia. As a child, she wanted to train special tactic dogs for law enforcement and federal agencies. Her strong love of animals led her to pursue a career helping animals in the veterinary field and her natural leadership attributes led her to the hospital management side of veterinary medicine. Andrea’s favorite part of working at Anicira is being able to help pets, and their families, who otherwise would not be able to afford medical care. Andrea believes that pets are beloved family members that bring tremendous joy and enrich their families’ lives.

Andrea has an associate’s degree from Northern Virginia Community College and is currently furthering her education by pursuing a BS in Organizational Leadership and Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University. Andrea loves the “people” part of management.

Outside of work, Andrea enjoys sailing, water sports, spending time at the beach, gardening, listening to country music, jiu-jitsu, and visiting vineyards. She also enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband, two stepsons, three dogs, two cats, and two birds. Andrea is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Dr. Ashley Signorino

Dr. Signorino is a native of Virginia Beach and an alumnus of both JMU and Virginia Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating with a BS in 2007 and a DVM in 2011. Working at a unique practice like Anicira and wearing a variety of “hats” each week as a surgeon, general practitioner, and problem-solver allows her to fulfill her lifelong dream of working with animals as well as her passion for educating and teaching. She lives with her husband, daughter, and their cat, Philly. Dr. Signorino tries to get to every Nationals baseball game and JMU football game that she can in her free time – if she’s not relaxing by the beach!

Dr. Andrew Ayre

Dr. Ayre is an East Coast native, growing up in New York and attending Cornell University, before receiving his DVM from Western University of Health Sciences in California. After relocating to Virginia, he began practicing emergency medicine, where he enjoyed solving complex cases and working in a fast-paced environment. He brought his knowledge and passion to Anicira in January of 2020 and is enjoying being present for all aspects of his patient’s care and working through health and behavioral problems with compassion as well as an eye on a healthy future. Dr. Ayre loves working in Anicira’s collaborative environment and helping fellow teammates learn, grow and adapt to provide superlative help so that our patients have safe and successful visits. When not at work, Dr. Ayre can often be found relaxing at home with his wife, hiking with his dogs, or in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes.

Dr. Barbara Bearden’s journey into the world of veterinary medicine began with a passion for animals She embarked on her educational experience at the University of Florida, proudly earning a bachelor’s in animal science in 2012. Following her undergraduate studies, Dr. Bearden graduated from Ross University of Veterinary Medicine, receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 2018.

It was during her formative years that her fascination with the intricacies of veterinary care took root. A cherished Christmas gift, a ‘’vet kit’ sparked a lifelong commitment t the well-being of animals. Dr. Bearden’s love for animals was unwavering and she knew early on that her her path was destined to be one of healing and compassion.

Throughout her career, Dr. Bearden’s favorite aspect of working with animals has been the profound human-animal connection she witnesses every day. The bond between pets and their families is a source of endless inspiration to her. She derives immeasurable gratification from her role in safeguarding the health and happiness of her patients, ensuring that this bond remains unbreakable.

Dr. Bearden finds immense satisfaction in empowering pet families with knowledge about vaccines, spaying/neutering and various preventive measures. Her commitment to her patients’ well-being extends to her strong interest in dermatology and internal medicine, where she applies her skills and knowledge to provide the best care possible.

Outside of work, Dr. Bearden’s life is a harmonious blend of relaxation and adventure. Whether indulging in leisurely days or embarking on hikes in the scenic landscapes of Virginia, she finds joy in a wide array of activities. Her interests range from visits to wineries and movie outings to savoring delectable cuisine, indulging in retail therapy and cherishing moments with friends.

At the heart of Dr. Bearden’s home lies a family of four-legged companions, each with a unique and touching story. Cannon, affectionately known as the ‘coconut retriever,’ was rescued from St. Kitts after being found tied to a decorative cannon. Briar and Guava, two ‘Kittitian kitten,’ became beloved members of the family after being fostered. Cora, an American Pit Bull Terrier, was adopted into the family from a friend’s unexpected litter. Last but not least, Jack, a resilient kitten with a limp and incontinence, captured Dr. Bearden’s heart when he was in need of medical care. He quickly became not just a patient but also a cherished companion, a testament to Dr. Bearden’s enduring commitment to the welfare of animals.

Dr. Tina Brehm

Dr. Brehm joined the Anicira team after completing a rotating internship at the Regional Veterinary Referral Center in Springfield, Virginia after veterinary school. Originally from Springfield, Dr. Brehm received her BS in Biology and Psychology from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, VA.

Dr. Brehm has owned and loved shelter pets for her entire life and her top career goal is to share her professional skills with the shelter community and those organizations that support them.  Dr. Brehm strongly believes that if people can afford veterinary care, they can afford to keep their animals- keeping more animals out of shelters.

In addition to surgery and preventive care, Dr. Brehm loves soccer and volleyball and hanging out with her black lab, Vader. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and their baby.

Dr. Brianna Creighton

As an Army Brat, Dr. Creighton moved constantly growing up but through all her changes her love for animals remained constant.  She cultivated her love for animals and healing through riding horses, caring for her family dog & volunteering at wildlife centers & zoos.  In 2010 Dr. Creighton graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s in Biology & continued to work in cancer research for 4 years.  After being accepted at the University College of Dublin she graduated in 2018 & continued to Alvarado, Texas for a mixed animal internship working on cattle, goats, sheep, horses, cats, dogs & small exotics.   She spent a year in Northern Virginia expanding her small animal practice skills & knowledge before joining the team at Anicira.

Dr. Creighton lives with her boyfriend in Middleburg with their dog Luna & two cats, Mumbo & Bixby.  In her free time, she likes to garden, practice yoga, hike & relax.

Dr. Jessica Sands

Dr. Sands received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California-Davis. Her favorite part of working with animals is their big personalities and she believes we are lucky to have pets in our lives. One of her favorite parts of working at Anicira is occasionally receiving a sloppy kiss or two from her beloved patients. Outside of work, Dr. Sands enjoys baby-proofing her house, trying new water sports, and baking babka bread. She has a domestic long-haired cat named Lord Marty McFly.

As a child, Dr. Sonja loved being outdoors and being close to nature. Her love of animals was evident from a very young age. She started working in a veterinary office before she could drive.

Dr. Sonja Szymeczek attended North Carolina State University for her undergraduate degree in Animal Science. After volunteering for 2 years in the U.S. Peace Corps, she returned to North Carolina State University to complete a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a small animal internship at Washington State University and returned to North Carolina State University for a surgery residency. Dr. Sonja Szymeczek is a board-certified American College of Veterinary Surgeons member. She travels to Virginia every month to perform orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries.

Dr. Sonja is married to a retired police officer. They have 3 daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Mary. They have two adopted Golden Retrievers, Bailey, and Bo. In her free time, Dr. Sonja plays poker, loves to hike with her family and frolic at the beach.

Ashlee Todd Licensed Veterinary Technician

Ashlee has been devoted to helping animals since she was a small child caring for her family pets. After earning her AAS degree in Veterinary Technology in 2007, she began working as an LVT and has never looked back. An exceptionally skilled technician, she provides invaluable leadership and experience to Anicira and takes pride in helping families and pets stay together and lead healthier lives. In 2021, Ashlee was promoted to Lead LVT – a title she is proud to have earned. She lives a busy life outside of the hospital, caring for her three dogs and energetic son.

Sam is a dedicated and caring licensed veterinary technician who loves helping animals recover from injury and illness. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Sciences from Virginia Tech and her Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology from Penn Foster. At Anicira, Sam most enjoys assisting with dentistry procedures because of how much more comfortable pets are after the procedures. When she is not at work, Sam can be found hiking, reading fantasy books, writing fiction stories, or knitting. She and her dog Kimber are both very active and enjoy agility sports, flyball, and canicross.

Animals have always been a big part of Michelle’s life. She started working with horses and then transitioned into the field of small animal veterinary medicine. She received her Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology from Northern Virginia Community College. Michelle believes that pets make our lives more meaningful and enjoys the privilege of working with them each day. She enjoys making a positive difference in her patients’ lives. Outside of work, Michelle stays busy on her small sheep farm and spends many weekends competing at performance events with her three Swedish Vallhunds. They are trained in agility, obedience, rally obedience, and therapy work. In addition to her dogs and sheep, she has a rescue cat named Flyball.

Lindsay Martin Licensed Veterinary Technician

Lindsey received her associate of science degree from the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician program in 2020 after working as a veterinary assistant for eight years. Growing up, she always knew she wanted a career working with animals. Her favorite part of working at Anicira is caring for the many shelter/rescue pets that visit and getting to know the families of her patients. She loves being able to help clients care for their four-legged family members. Lindsey has many pets of her own including 3 dogs, a few ducks and geese, a horse, and a donkey. Outside of work, she enjoys watching movies, spending time with friends and family, and visiting local parks and historical sites with her dogs.

Lesly Molina Licensed Veterinary Technician

Lesly pursued her lifelong passion for helping animals by earning her Licensed Veterinary Technician degree at Northern Virginia Community College. She graduated in 2017 and joined the team at Anicira in 2021. Lesly enjoys being a part of the surgery and dentistry team and is always eager to learn new things. She has a rescue Pomeranian/Husky mix who she named Ghost after a half-dog creature featured in one of her favorite shows – Game of Throne. In her free time, Lesly loves trying out new cooking and baking recipes and traveling. On weekends when the weather is nice, you can find her with her friends hiking or trying new wineries.

Kaylin is a compassionate veterinary nurse who treats each pet who comes to Anicira like her own. She received her veterinary assistant certification through the Animal Behavior College. One of her favorite parts of working at Anicira is seeing sick patients recover after receiving medical care. Kaylin enjoys working in the medical department because she gets to talk with pet families and help them on their pet’s individual needs. Kaylin enjoys playing with her dog Charlie, cuddling with her cat Uno, and watching horror movies when she is not at work. Kaylin loves to cook. She enjoys experimenting with new recipes and keeping old family secret recipes alive.

As a child, Brittany dreamed of being a veterinarian. After working at a veterinary hospital, she realized that she preferred working on the administrative side instead of the medical side of a hospital. As the Lead CSR, Brittany enjoys collaborating with other team members and working with clients to ensure their pets get the best possible care. She loves working at Anicira because, no matter how difficult a day may be, seeing a pet’s friendly face will always cheer her up. In her free time, Brittany enjoys fishing, shopping, spending time with her three dogs and two cats, and going on adventures with her boyfriend.