A Visit to Pea Patch Island

Recently, two of VRA’s technicians, Ana Bruder and Jackie Vidal, took a day trip to Pea Patch Island in Delaware. This island is home to Fort Delaware, a Union fortress built in 1859 and is only accessible by ferry. Fort Delaware protected the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia and was also used to house Confederate prisoners of war.

In addition to the Fort, Pea Patch Island is a summer home to nine different species of herons, egrets, and ibis. The remote marshes provide an outstanding habitat for one of the largest wading bird nesting areas on the East Coast.

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Meet the Intern: Dr. Leilani Marsh

Dr. Leilani Marsh grew up traveling around the US, but has always called her home Hawaii. She received her BS in Animal Science with a Minor in Chemistry at the University Of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. After working as a veterinary technician for two years, she traveled to the beautiful island of St. Kitts to attend Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Leilani completed her clinical year of veterinary school at Auburn University, and graduated in January 2015 with a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine.

 Leilani lives with her fiancé, Francis. They have three dogs named Timber, Ruxby, and Yoshi, and one beta fish named Howie. They love going on hikes and traveling whenever they get a chance to see their families. 

Categories: Becoming a Veterinarian, Our Team

Staff "Pup"date: Debbi and Dewey!

Check out this week’s “pup”date! Our Marketing Manager, Debbi, picked up her adorable Frenchton puppy, Dewey, last weekend. The first thing she did was have him checked out by the veterinarian. We are happy to say that he was given a clean bill of health. Check out Dewey’s first picture with his first veterinarian, Dr. Vega!

Categories: dogs, Our Team, staff pets, The Veterinary Patient

Welcome Intern Amelia Espina, DVM!

Today we welcome one of our 2015 interns, Amelia Espina, DVM.

Amelia is a Gaithersburg native. She attended Wootton High School (Go WHS Patriots!) in Rockville, MD. Amelia obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. In her free time, Amelia enjoys running, playing volleyball, and baking delicious treats. She lives in Gaithersburg with her husband and their four cats; Vera, Moby, Tater, and Snickers.

Categories: Becoming a Veterinarian, Our Team

The Birds of Pinckney Island

I recently visited Pinckney Island, South Carolina to photograph their nesting birds. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and encompasses 4,053 acres with a 7.8 mile main hiking trail. It is located between the mainland and Hilton Head Island and was established to provide a nature and forest preserve for aesthetic and conservation purposes.

Categories: Our Team