Staff - Veterinarians in Fairfax, VA

Dedicated to being a caring companion animal hospital, providing quality veterinary services with integrity.

Our Founders
Dr. Mark Johnson After leaving Lima Senior High School in Lima, Ohio, Dr. Johnson attended the Ohio State University and then entered the College of Veterinary Medicine after only two years of pre-veterinary studies. After graduating in 1969 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, he went to Virginia to acquire practical experience. Concurrently, while practicing, he has taken advanced studies and received certification in soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, and internal medicine theriogenology. After a few years of working with veterinarians in the Northern Virginia area, he and Dr. Don Powell formed a partnership and converted an old church building into a veterinary hospital—a practice that has grown to become what is now Pender Veterinary Centre. Dr. Johnson helped found and fund “Pets on Wheels,” which provides pet visits to nursing homes throughout the state of Virginia. He also produced and anchored a seven-part cable TV series, “The Pet Counselor.” In addition to professional interests, Dr. Johnson has been active in his community, leading Cub Scouts, coaching Little League, helping in 4-H, and being very active in his church. Dr. Johnson and his wife, Mary, have two children.

Dr. Donald Powell Dr. Powell was born and raised on the eastern shore in Laurel, Delaware. During high school, he was senior class president, co-captain of the football and basketball teams, and was awarded all conference 1st team and all eastern shore 1st team in football. After high school, Dr. Powell attended the University of Delaware on a football scholarship. He graduated in 1965 with a B.A. in biology and a minor in chemistry. He then went on to attend Cornell University Veterinary School and graduated in 1969. Dr. Powell was elected into the honor society for academic achievement—“Phi Zeta”—and at graduation received the Merck Veterinary Manual Award. With his partner, Dr. Mark Johnson, he founded Pender Veterinary Clinic in the summer of 1971. The business now operates under corporate name of Pender Veterinary Centre, Ltd. Dr. Powell has been married to his high school sweetheart, Rita Littleton Powell, for 42 years. His other interests include singing, church, tennis, physical fitness, reading, and travel.

Our Doctors
Dr. Carole Richards Dr. Richards joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in June of 2007. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Eureka College in 2003 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 2007.Her professional interests include dentistry and exotic medicine, surgery, and critical care.

Dr. Julie Brown Dr. Brown joined Pender Veterinary Centre in 2005. She holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Dr. Brown’s special interests include internal medicine, emergency and critical care, ultrasonography, and soft tissue surgery.

Dr. Jody Clarke Dr. Clarke joined Pender Veterinary Centre in 1987. She earned degrees from Duke University in Zoology and Boston University in Marine Biology before entering the Veterinary College at Virginia Tech, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. Dr. Clarke’s has a special interest in internal medicine and feline medicine—feline geriatrics in particular.

Dr. Patrick Denney Dr. Denney serves as Chief of Staff, Surgery, for Pender Veterinary Centre. He has been with Pender Veterinary Centre since 1985. He holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Denney has a special interest in surgery, and he has received special training in laser surgery, arthroscopy, and microvascular surgery.
Dr. Julia Finlayson Dr. Finlayson joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 1989. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Finlayson has a special interest in internal medicine and geriatric medicine.

Dr. Jennifer Heatherly Dr. Heatherly joined Pender Veterinary Centre in 2001. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia in 2001. Dr. Heatherly’s professional interests include dermatology, feline medicine, and pediatrics.

Dr. Peter Hyatt Dr. Hyatt joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 1996. He earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University and also holds a degree in animal science from Cornell University. Dr Hyatt’s professional interests include animal reproduction and ultrasonography.

Dr. Cory Kleinmann Dr. Kleinmann joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2006. She majored in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin and went on to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin. Her professional interests include internal medicine, behavior, and wellness care.

Dr. Jennifer Lauer Dr. Lauer joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2007. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. She also earned a BS in Biology/Pre-veterinary Medicine from Clarion University of PA. Dr. Lauer's professional interests include emergency, critical care, and internal medicine.


Dr. Kristy Meivogel Dr. Meivogel joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2007. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Florida State University and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. Dr. Meivogel's professional interests include internal medicine, dermatology, soft tissue surgery, and behavior.

Dr. Eric Newhart Dr. Newhart joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2008. He earned a B.S. in Management from George Mason University and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. His professional interests include surgery, exotic animal medicine, and emergency medicine.

Dr. Susanne Padilla Dr. Padilla joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2005. She received a degree in Zoology and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University. Dr. Padilla's professional interests include dermatology, ultrasonography, feline medicine, and exotic animal medicine.

Dr. Ann Planeta Dr. Planeta joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2008. She earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Her professional interests include internal medicine, emergency and critical care, physical therapy, and exotics.

Dr. Jenna Randall-Smith Dr. Randall-Smith joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2008. She received a B.S. in Animal Bioscience from The Pennsylvania State University and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. Her professional interests include surgery, emergency medicine and critical care, and internal medicine.

Dr. Grant Richards Dr. Richards joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2007. He holds a B.S. in Biological Science from Florida State University and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. His professional interests include emergency/critical care medicine and internal medicine.

Dr. Andrew Roark Dr. Roark joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2008. In addition to a B.S. in Biology from Davidson College, he holds a Master’s degree in Zoology and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. Dr. Roark’s professional interests include surgery, neurology and dermatology.

Dr. Elissa Thorndike Dr. Thorndike has been on the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre since 2001. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2000 and completed an internship at South Paws Veterinary Referral Center. She also holds a degree in geography from the University of Delaware. Dr. Thorndike’s special interests include internal medicine, ophthalmology, and surgery.

Dr. Andrew Voell Dr. Voell joined Pender Veterinary Centre in 1991. He received his B.S. from Texas A&M University and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Dr. Voell’s interests include ophthalmology, ultrasonography, and cardiology. He has also gained additional education and expertise in field of laser surgery.

Dr. Cameron Pickett Weber Dr. Pickett Weber joined Pender Veterinary Centre in July 2005. In 1999, she graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in German Studies. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Her primary interests include internal medicine, physical therapy and the human-animal bond.

Dr. Lindsay Whisher Dr. Whisher joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2008. She holds a B.S. in Biology and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, both from Cornell University. Her professional interests include internal medicine, oncology, and emergency/critical care.

Dr. Lynne Zelinsky Dr. Zelinsky joined the staff of Pender Veterinary Centre in 2006. She holds a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of New Hampshire and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Her professional interests include emergency medicine and critical care, internal medicine, oncology, soft tissue surgery, and ultrasonography.
Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Nurses
Our veterinary technicians and veterinary nurses are instrumental in providing the highest quality veterinary care to your pet. The technicians work closely with the veterinarians to provide diagnostic care, hospitalization treatment, as well as routine services such as vaccines. Our technicians are also on staff 24 hours a day to provide care for hospitalized animals, as well as provide advice to our clients.

Client Service Representatives
Our client service representatives are the front line of customer service at Pender Veterinary Centre. Whether they are checking you in for an appointment, answering your phone call, or scheduling a future appointment, the client service representatives strive to ensure that your experience at Pender Veterinary Centre is a smooth and pleasant one.

Veterinary Assistants
Our assistants play a behind-the-scenes but equally vital role in providing your pet the best possible care. Assistants are responsible for walking dogs, ensuring all animals have food and water, as well as keeping our facilities sparkling. They also provide hands-on assistance to the doctors and veterinary technicians in administering the highest quality veterinary care for your pet.