Our Team
With heartfelt compassion and a clear purpose, our team is committed to enhancing your pet’s life during every visit. We strive to provide the best care, making each moment with us count.
With heartfelt compassion and a clear purpose, our team is committed to enhancing your pet’s life during every visit. We strive to provide the best care, making each moment with us count.
Dr. Tosha Starke, a veterinarian hailing from the picturesque landscapes of southern Virginia, has always had a deep-rooted connection to animals and the land. Growing up on a farm, her childhood was intertwined with the care of animals, instilling in her a profound respect for nature and a keen understanding of the importance of preventative care.
After pursuing her veterinary education and training at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Starke returned to her roots, determined to make a difference in her community. Passionate about fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, she is committed to creating a space where her team members feel valued, respected, and empowered to provide the best care possible.
Community involvement is at the core of Dr. Starke’s values. She actively seeks opportunities to engage with local organizations, schools, and pet owners to educate and promote responsible pet ownership. Her dedication to preventative care medicine is evident in her proactive approach to animal health, always striving to prevent illness and promote well-being.
Driven by determination, a strong sense of community, and a deep-seated desire to improve the lives of animals and their owners, Dr. Starke embodies the essence of a compassionate and dedicated veterinarian.
Growing up by the sea, Dr. Ryle fell in love with nature and the diverse wildlife in the area. This inspired her love of all creatures.
Her desire for a life in veterinary medicine led her to Virginia Tech, where she immersed herself in the study of science and biology. Then working at the Naval hospital in Bethesda research toward the understanding of the immune system. The thrill of discovery fuelled her passion along with the hope that her work would one day help improve the health and well-being of others.
In 2003, Dr. Ryle continued to follow her dream and attend the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Combining her education and practical experience to hone her skills as a healer and learning the art of veterinary medicine. Her work in a mixed animal practice introduced her to a diverse cast of characters—furry, feathered, and scaly. From pocket pets (tiny critters with big personalities) to traditional dogs and cats, Dr. Ryle embraced them all. Each wagging tail and meow left a mark on her heart.
Her collaboration with local shelters speaks volumes about her compassion. There she advocated for homeless animals, ensuring they received the care and respect they deserved. Dr. Ryle’s interests spanned beyond routine check-ups. Ultrasound is a particular passion revealing hidden secrets within furry bellies. Preventative care is her mantra, and urgent cases keep her on her toes. When the stethoscope is set aside, Dr. Ryle picks up her crochet hook. Creating cozy blankets or quirky amigurumi animals. And her family—husband, children, Dobermans, cats, snake, bearded dragon, and the opinionated grumpy old parrot—form her sanctuary.
Dr. Ryle’s legacy isn’t just in medical charts or textbooks. It’s in the wagging tails she healed, the purring felines she soothed, and the families she guided.
Dr. Lauren Gallagher grew up in Maryland outside of Baltimore, and knew from a young age she was called to be a veterinarian. Lauren has many early memories spent in clinics with her mother (also a veterinarian) and watching surgeries from a stool before she was tall enough to see over the table. Lauren started working in clinics at fourteen, where she grew her love for medicine and preventative care.
She is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, and has been practicing in northern Virginia since moving here in 2014. Lauren is passionate about fostering the human-animal bond through education and Fear Free handling. When not in clinics, Lauren enjoys creativity in all forms, and crochets for craft fairs on the weekends. She can also be found exploring the state parks and wineries of northern Virginia with her husband James, their twin boys Grayson and Theodore, and their dog Waffles.
From early on in my childhood, my heart has been intertwined with animals. They’ve always been a part of my life’s tapestry, bringing joy and companionship. Growing up, I spent countless hours at my aunt and uncle’s farm, having fun with all the different animals and riding. High school brought new adventures as I entered the show ring, and during college summers, I found my calling managing a barn at an all-girls camp nestled in the Adirondacks of upstate New York.
In 2018, I took a heartfelt step into the world of veterinary medicine as a veterinary assistant, a journey that allows me to share my passion for animal welfare with my family, friends, and the community. In my free time, you can find me at the barn, enjoying the gentle bond with my horse, Paddington, or exploring the beautiful landscapes of Northern Virginia with my husband, Jared, our two spirited children, Cameron and Charli, and our four beloved dogs—each with their own unique personality: Peyton Manning, Viola Davis, Teddy Roosevelt, and Sydney Sweeney. Together, we embrace a life filled with adventure and a deep appreciation for the animals we love.
Meet Kaiti, who’s been passionate about animals ever since she can remember. She grew up in rural Northern Virginia, where she brought home her first dog from a barn where she rode horses. Since then, every wagging tail and soft nuzzle has fueled her love for all critters.
Her home turned into a sanctuary for all sorts of rescued animals – rabbits, horses, goats, ducks, you name it. They weren’t just pets; they were family.
Now, with three kids, a grandkid, three dogs, a rabbit, three horses and some goats, Kaiti’s life is all about caring for creatures. She’s a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, soothing horses’ aches and helping them perform their best. When she isn’t working you can likely find her at the barn taking care of her horses.
But Kaiti’s kindness doesn’t stop there. She’s involved in everything from leading 4-H groups to being the Children’s Ministry Director at her church and also takes photos as a professional hobby photographer, mainly of pets and horses. She has won many awards on online platforms for her photography art.
Her favorite place, though, is the equestrian world, where she and her kids have shared lots of victories. She loves mentoring young riders, teaching them how to take care of horses properly to achieve their maximum potential in the show ring.
For Kaiti, every day is about celebrating the beauty of animals and spreading love and kindness to all creatures, big and small.
Anne grew up in the northern Virginia area and has always had a love for all animals. Her love for animals grew into a passion for animal care after her first cat passed away unexpectedly and left her wondering if there was anything else she could have done. She became a veterinary assistant in 2008 and now can’t see herself doing anything else.
She has worked in clinics both full time and as a relief assistant as well as being on the road doing house calls. Anne is passionate about furthering her knowledge in continuing to learn as much as she can with the hopes of one day becoming a licensed technician.
Though she has mainly worked with cats and dogs in her veterinary career, she would love to extend her knowledge to learn more about exotic and large animals as well. Anne currently has a dog named Willys and 3 cats, Simba, Aurora and Violet, and hopes to someday get a snake if she can convince her husband. When she’s not working, Anne enjoys spending time with her family, enjoying the great outdoors, doing crafts and photography.
Kel is a certified and practiced veterinary holistic therapist with over 8 years of experience in the field. Their journey into veterinary medicine began when they were ‘just a wee lad’ in high school, as their first veterinary mentor put it. As a child, Kel always felt a deep bond with animals, and they were thrilled when the opportunity arose to join a hospital family as a kennels worker. From there, they’ve kept growing and working to fulfill their insatiable appetite for learning something new every day.
Kel’s interest in the integrative therapy approach blossomed when studying under a holistic vet specializing in acupuncture. Upon seeing the incredible recovery effect this service had upon their patients, Kel became inspired to do everything they could to make any patient’s experience ‘just a little bit better.’ For them, it is so very important to ensure that they do everything they can to make the veterinary experience as comfortable, Fear-Free, and relaxing as possible for each and every patient that comes their way.
When not on the job, you can find Kel curled up with their cat and a good novel, or exploring the world with their partner, Dimi. They also enjoy crafting – you name it, they’ve made it – and tabletop gaming. Whether travelling the world or exploring a new book, Kel seeks to broaden their horizons each and every day.
At the centre of their heart is a little orange kitten that wandered his way into their very first emergency hospital. They raised Robin Hood from the time when he was only about five days old, and they were the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes. They have learned so much from this little cat, and their love for him knows no bounds. They incorporate this love into their practice every day. After all, they love patients as they love their own.
I was born in Lima, Peru and grew up with animals around me. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to pursue a career working with/treating animals. I came to the States in the mid 70’s. I was always that little girl that would bring injured animals home. Birds, squirrels, anything I thought I could help. I drove my parents crazy. We rescued our first pet when I was around 9.
She was my world and even though it wasn’t permitted I snuck her in my bed almost every night. In my younger days, I pet-sat for all my neighbors and worked at a pet hotel/daycare. I love all animals of different shapes and sizes, but in my early 20’s I got my first rottweiler and fell in love with the breed. Since then I have had several that have been in my life with a few rescues as siblings. I lived in Georgia for about 5 years and when I came back to Virginia I worked as a veterinary assistant for about 6 years. Life tossed me a few curve balls and it took me out of the vet world for a while but I am elated that I am able to come back to working/caring for animals.
I have been living in Gainesville, Va. with my husband, son and 2 dogs. Three years ago I fell in love with yet another breed…South African Mastiff aka a Boerboel. With my husband being deployed most of the year, I spend a lot of time with Bodie (mastiff) and his little brother Diesel (rottweiler). We love to do outdoor activities such as long walks, hiking, and they love to go swimming in the creek.
Ever since I was a little girl, I was surrounded by animals and my heart has always been drawn to them. Whether it was dogs, cats, rabbits, or wildlife – it ignited a passion in me that has only grown stronger over time. As a veterinary receptionist at Vets To Pets, I am truly living a dream of helping animals feel safe, loved, and cared for when they visit us.
With a year and a half of experience under my belt, I am proud to say that I am a Fear-Free certified, which means I am trained to ensure that your furry family members have the most comfortable and stress-free experience with us. My role goes beyond answering phone calls and scheduling appointments, I am here to be the voice of the practice and ensure that all the patients and clients are comfortable with any situation they may be in. My ability to be able to juggle multiple tasks while maintaining communication with our clients and team members is something I am especially proud of. I strive to keep things running smoothly while offering a welcoming, compassionate environment for both pets and their owners. I truly believe that every pet deserves to feel safe and loved, and I’m here to ensure that happens, every step of the way.
