Manassas Veterinary Center

Sashi’s Fund provides assistance to pet families in Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William County who qualify for Medicaid in accessing veterinary care. Click here to learn more.

Pit Bull Terriers and Pit Bull mixes residing in Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County are eligible to receive a $40 spay/neuter surgery through the Pit Fix program. Click here to learn more.

Unexpected veterinary expenses can be stressful. We want to make veterinary care affordable for everyone in the community by offering payment options that will fit into your budget. Click here to learn more.

We’ve compiled a list of organizations who assist with veterinary expenses. Click here to learn more.

Cate is the visionary force behind the Anicira Veterinary Centers, serving as its founding CEO since January 2005. With a deep passion for improving the well-being of pets and their families, Cate has dedicated herself to transforming accessible high-quality veterinary care. Under her leadership, the veterinary hospitals have experienced major growth both in the number of non-human family members served and the range of services provided. Cate received an MS in public policy and animals from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and a BA in government from the University of Virginia. Cate is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) and a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). She shares her life with her spouse, daughter, and three mixed-breed adopted dogs Bernadette, Liliana, and Louie.

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 spouse, two children, and her “Mississippi mutt”, Obi.

Andrea was born and raised in Northern Virginia. As a child, Andrea always knew she wanted to work with animals, and her strong love of animals led her to pursue a career helping animals in the veterinary field. 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 who bring tremendous joy and enrich their families’ lives.

Andrea is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and loves the “people” part of management.

Outside of work, Andrea enjoys sailing, water sports, spending time at the beach, gardening, listening to country music, and practicing jiu-jitsu. Andrea also enjoys spending time with her family which includes her spouse, stepsons, dogs, cats, and birds.

Dr. Signorino, a native of Virginia Beach, graduated from James Madison University with a BS in 2007 and earned her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011.

Working at Anicira allows Dr. Signorino to fulfill her lifelong dream of working with animals while also pursuing her passion for education and teaching. She wears many hats, excelling in the dentistry suite, performing surgeries, and solving complex problems.

Dr. Signorino shares her life with her spouse and daughter. In her free time, she enjoys attending Nationals baseball games and JMU football games, or relaxing by the beach.

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 and completing a rotation internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in New Jersey. 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 alongside a group of dedicated, highly skilled team members. Dr. Ayre especially enjoys the challenges and benefits of orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries, working with clients to provide the best possible outcomes for our pets. When not at the hospital, Dr. Ayre is often found ‘tinkering’ around the house on various ‘fix-it’ projects while planning family beach trips with his wife, daughter and beagle-lab mix, Dudley. In his free time, he enjoys overnight hiking, flying kites, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

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. 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 spouse, Brian, and their two children.

Dr. Creighton, an Army Brat, moved frequently during her childhood, but her love for animals remained constant. She nurtured this passion by riding horses, caring for her family dog, and volunteering at wildlife centers and zoos. In 2010, she graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s in Biology and worked in cancer research for four years. She then attended University College of Dublin, graduating in 2018. Following graduation, she completed a mixed animal internship in Alvarado, Texas, working with cattle, goats, sheep, horses, cats, dogs, and small exotics. She further honed her small animal practice skills in Northern Virginia before joining Anicira.

Dr. Creighton lives in Lovettsville, VA, with her husband Michael, their three-legged dog Luna, three cats (Troiste, Mumbo, and Bixby), and four chickens (Buttercup, Beatrice, Bubbles, and Raven). In her free time, she enjoys gardening, practicing yoga, hiking, and relaxing.

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 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 and then in 2023 to operations coordinator – titles she is proud to have earned. She has a passion for emergency medicine and teaching.

She lives a busy life outside of the hospital, caring for her family and animals.

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 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, scent work, 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 Mac Dubh.

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 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 two tripod cats, Maggie and Ralphie, and a rescue Pomeranian/Husky mix named Ghost, after a half-dog creature featured in one of her favorite shows, Game of Thrones. 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 hiking or trying new wineries with her friends.

Kaylin is a compassionate veterinary nurse who treats each pet at Anicira as if they were her own. She earned her veterinary assistant certification from the Animal Behavior College and is currently studying to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician.

One of Kaylin’s favorite aspects of working at Anicira is witnessing the recovery of sick patients after receiving medical care. She enjoys working in the medical department because it allows her to interact with pet families and address their pets’ individual needs.

Outside of work, Kaylin loves spending time with her daughter, often playing or chasing after her busy little “bee.” She also has a passion for cooking, enjoying both experimenting with new recipes and preserving old family secrets.