The team at Willow Animal Hospital is made up of general veterinarians with specialty skills, attentive veterinary assistants and technicians, capable and knowledgeable office staff, and specialty veterinarians who perform treatments and surgeries in our office or theirs.
Our team has found ways to maximize compassion and expertise, and we hope you’ll discover that for yourself by scheduling an appointment for your pet today.
The team at Willow Animal Hospital includes accomplished veterinarians, veterinary surgeons, and support staff.
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I found comfort and happiness in helping animals. I was the neighborhood kid that looked after all the strays. At the age of 11, I was determined to be a veterinarian. I sought out a volunteer job with Battlefield Animal Clinic in Manassas, Virginia. I faithfully rode my bike to the clinic, rain or shine, every Saturday and would work all day. I cleaned the hospital and cared for the animals in exchange for the opportunity to watch Dr. Richard Goode practice veterinary medicine. I was intrigued with surgery. I volunteered for 2 years with Dr. Goode and then was hired by Morganna Animal Clinic, Manassas, Virginia.
I was getting paid to do what I loved. I climbed the ladder from a kennel assistant to a veterinary technician. I was working side by side with three doctors. One of the doctors, Dr. David Beauchamp, suffered from Multiple Sclerosis. As his clinical signs progressed, he entrusted me to be his hands. These responsibilities taught me so much and cemented my love of veterinary medicine.
While employed with Morganna Animal Clinic, a boarded soft tissue and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Richard Bradley, rented space from them and allowed me to do part-time work with him. I learned all about surgical instruments, sterile technique, and the entire surgical process animals undergo for orthopedic and soft tissue procedures. Dr. Bradley purchased his own facility in 1989 and invited a boarded internal medicine specialist, Dr. Anne Chiapella to join him. I had the opportunity to work with both specialists for 33 years plus in a part-time and/or full-time capacity where I could grow in my education and understanding of veterinary medicine. I am extremely appreciative of the training and mentorship Drs. Bradley and Chiapella provided me.
I attended my undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech and pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Minor in Economics. While working with Dr. Chiapella, I was able to utilize my interest and skills with business finances and economics as her business manager for 27 years. I am so very proud of the trust and commitment Dr. Chiapella placed in me.
I was admitted into the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. I obtained my veterinary doctorate degree in 2002 and worked in Roanoke Valley, Virginia for three years. First, I practiced general medicine in Botetourt County for one year until I was hired by Angels of Assisi in Roanoke, Virginia where I served low-income families. Angels of Assisi did not have a lot of technical equipment and referral services were limited so I mastered alternative techniques and developed new skills. Routinely, I would travel to impoverished areas on a medical motorhome unit and do a minimum of 50 surgeries daily and participate with group wellness clinics. I also had the opportunity to work with large animals that were part of the Angels of Assisi Rescue Farm.
Drs. Bradley and Chiapella asked me to return to Northern Virginia and be part of their specialty center, specifically the emergency clinic. From 2005 – 2009, I was a full-time emergency clinician in the Prince William Emergency Clinic, a division of the Veterinary Referral Center of Northern Virginia. In 2009, I assumed the role of the senior emergency clinician. In 2010, I became 1/3 owner of the Prince William Emergency Veterinary Clinic. I resolved to never lose sight of the patient or client. I ensured that our veterinarians and support staff always practiced the highest standard of care and worked within our clients’ budgets. Emergency medicine can be expensive, especially in Northern Virginia, but if options and priorities are discussed, positive outcomes prevail for the patients and clients. By practicing medicine with these ethics, I continued to grow in my skills as well as growing the Prince William Emergency Clinic annually.
In 2017, I had to make the difficult decision to sell my portion of the emergency clinic as Drs. Bradley and Chiapella were planning to retire, and I needed more conducive work hours for my daughter. I accepted a full-time veterinary associate position at Mapleshade Animal Hospital, Woodbridge, VA, with the understanding that I would also be working towards the goal of opening my own veterinary hospital.
I am very blessed to have had hard working role models that have shaped the person I have become. I cannot ever thank my parents, Drs. Bradley and Chiapella, my friends, and clients enough. My years of service to Drs. Bradley and Chiapella, my experience with business management and operations, the relationships I have developed with colleagues in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington, DC area, and, most importantly, the trust and faith that clients have put in me are the basic foundations for my success.
I am an enormously proud single father of a beautiful daughter, Averi. We live in Nokesville, Virginia on a small farm with dogs, cats, miniature donkeys, horses and goats. Willow Animal Hospital is our dream come true. I look forward to serving my clients and being part of a new community in Vint Hill, Virginia.
Washingtonians Magazine Best Veterinarians 2010 – Present
Northern Virginia Magazine Best Veterinarians 2010 – Present
As a child, I was always interested in animals and wanted to work with them. I had numerous pets over the years including dogs, cats, gerbils, guinea pigs, and a ball python.
While completing a Bachelors of Science in Zoology at Oklahoma State University in 1996, I began working as a kennel attendant at a boarding facility in St Louis, Missouri. I also began shadowing at a local veterinary clinic, that sealed my love of veterinary medicine.
I completed my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri in 2000. During my years in vet school, I pursued extra courses in ultrasound and animal behavior.
After graduation, my first job was in Thomasville, North Carolina where I worked for 3 years. Then I moved to Northern Virginia in 2003, where I worked at McLean Animal Hospital. I was able to pursue my love of ultrasound imaging there.
Later I moved to VCA Healthy Paws, where I was the medical director for several years.
I then moved to Mapleshade Animal Hospital, where I was able to pursue my interest in Canine Rehabilitation and pain management. I completed my Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP) in 2017 through the University of Tennessee.
I share my home with my husband and our 3 dogs and 2 cats. I enjoy dog sports with my pack, including agility, flyball, lure coursing (FAST CAT), and events like the Canine Biathlon.
Dr. Marley specializes in treating patients using integrative techniques and ideologies–using traditional medicine such as herbal medicines, and the 9000 year old practice of acupuncture–with modern medicine. She has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2008, having graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. She also received her Acupuncture Certification from the Chi Institute in 2011 and her degree in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy from the Healing Oasis Wellness Center in 2016.
Dr. Marley grew up in McLean and attended Thomas Jefferson High School. She lives in Warrenton on a small farm with her husband and two children, two Labrador retrievers, a horse and a pony and several Dexter cattle. She enjoys running and horseback riding.
Dr. Marley will be seeing and treating patients on Wednesdays at the Hospital. Please contact the office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Marley and we are very honored to have her joining us at Willow Animal Hospital.
Dr. Shannon Kasmierski (Heath) was born and raised in Wyoming. She attended the University of Wyoming for her undergraduate studies and then received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University. Dr. Kasmierski has practiced in large animal, companion animal, emergency medicine and for the US Department of Agriculture. She has been in various animal hospitals in Virginia, Washington, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Idaho since 1993.
Dr Kasmierski’s passion is providing the best and most stress-free care for her feline patients.
“Cats are delicate souls with limited tolerance for interruption of ‘Bird TV.’ Let us give them as many happy birthdays as possible.”
During her free time, Dr. Kasmierski is active in the Rotary E-Club of Global Peacebuilders, the Rotary District 7610, and the Rotary Leadership Institute. Shannon married fellow Rotarian Dan Kasmierski last year. They love to travel and expand their wine knowledge and experiences at wineries world-wide and give back to their community. Shannon and Kaz have two amazing Orange Tabbies, Treble and Tales. Shannon also has two daughters, one living in Virginia and North Carolina.
When your best furry friend has access to a full-service animal hospital you can trust, you can be sure they’re getting the care they need, want, and deserve.
Read what people have to say about our services, see the guidance we offer to our new clients, and learn more about our services today. The team is waiting to hear from you!