About Us
Fairfax Animal Hospital has been proud to serve our community since 1945. Meet the people that make our team so great and learn more about us!Our Veterinarians
Dr. Anna Hodges – Medical Director
Dr. Hodges grew up in Maryland near DC. From the moment the question of a career was asked, her answer was that she wanted to be a vet. At various times in her childhood, she lived with cats, dogs, pet mice, a pet rat, an iguana, a rabbit, hamsters (so many hamsters!), birds, and fish. While attending the University of Michigan, she was able to confirm a love of science, in addition to her love of animals, and a strong desire to work with companion animals. In 2009, she graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (aka Virginia Tech) and set out to work with cats and dogs and their humans in northern Virginia.
After 11 years as an associate vet at her last practice, Dr. Hodges was itching for a new challenge, and decided to move into the leadership role of Medical Director at Fairfax Animal Hospital. She is passionate about developing her staff as a team and as individuals, empowering them to provide excellent care for our patients and the people who love them.
Dr. Hodges’s desire to support and strengthen the bond between human and pet has led her to explore Fear Free methodology, physical rehabilitation, nutrition, and preventive medicine.
Outside of work, Dr. Hodges can be found reading sci-fi and fantasy novels while enduring cat-paralysis, baking with her son, playing with her dogs, and competing with her husband over word and puzzle games.
Dr. Jerry Goldfarb
Dr. Goldfarb is an animal doctor who proudly served as an officer in the US army. After tours in Virginia and the Netherlands, Dr. Goldfarb returned to the US, and since 1974, he has been at Fairfax Animal Hospital. He purchased the practice in the mid-1980s and has watched proudly as it grew to become a long time staple of Northern Virginia’s communities. Read more about Dr. Goldfarb’s history of service in our blog.
Dr. Goldfarb is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Northern Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, and the DC Academy of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a founding member of the Hope Center for Advanced Veterinary Medicine. He and his wife Adrienne have raised two children into excellent adults, and they now care for their lab, Shelby. We appreciate his service and caring expertise in animal care!
Dr. Lisa Puscheck
A native of Northern Virginia, Dr. Puscheck knew she wanted to be a veterinarian when she was 10 years old. She made good on that ambition in 1988, when she earned her DVM from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Puscheck joined Fairfax Animal Hospital in 2018. Prior to that, she worked at Occoquan Animal Hospital in Woodbridge and then owned her own practice – Coolridge Animal Hospital – for 8 years. She specializes in feline medicine, surgery, and internal medicine. But, what she loves most about her job is witnessing the beauty of the human-animal bond.
When not at work, Dr. Puscheck enjoys live music, travel, and practicing yoga. She has a pet beagle, named Macy, and many 4-legged nieces and nephews.
Our Staff
Carissa Shapiro – Practice Manager
Alyssa – Lead Veterinary Technician
Chakemah – Veterinary Assistant
Since Chakemah was eight years old she has loved being with animals, taking in stray cats, and she started animal health internships in high school. Chakemah completed her undergrad in animal sciences at Delaware State University and will be applying to veterinary grad schools this summer.
Chakemah started with Fairfax Animal Hospital in 2022 gaining experience to prepare her for veterinary school. When she is not with the patients of FAH she is pushing her creative limits with hobbies such as styling hair and making her own clothes. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with her trouble-making kitty Matrix.
Natalie – Veterinary Assistant
Natalie is currently enrolled at Bowie State University to obtain her Bachelor degree in biology. She aspires to find a career in the medical sciences with interests such as health, animals, and forensics.
Natalie previously worked for a mobile clinic and is gaining experience in animal sciences such as pet health. She joined Fairfax Animal Hospital in 2022 to expand her knowledge. In her freetime she enjoys spending time with friends, cuddling with her dog Stella Rose, and watching investigation discovery.
Anya – Client Service Representative
Originally from Pennsylvania, Anya moved to Virginia to attend George Mason University and receive an undergraduate degree in biology. Since she was five years old, her ultimate goal has been to become a veterinarian!
Anya has experience working at multiple vet clinics in PA, and joined Fairfax Animal Hospital in 2020 to continue her growth in the field. When she is not greeting clients at the front desk at FAH, she enjoys volunteering at her church, reading new books and cuddling with her two kitties, Alex and Samantha.
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Our Facility
Fairfax Animal Hospital is conveniently located in Bailey’s Crossroads, and serving all of the greater Arlington, Annandale, and Alexandria beltway region. Our veterinarians, technicians, and professional staff use the latest veterinary medicine technology to provide compassionate care to all animals.
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Our Commitment
Fairfax Animal Hospital’s mission is providing the highest quality medical, surgical, and dental care to Northern Virginia. We treat domestic pets in accordance with the highest standards of the veterinary profession. We offer our employees and professional colleagues the best working environment, so that they may better serve our clients. We give back to our community through time and services, and above all work to strengthen the bonds between humans and their animal companions.
The Fairfax Animal Hospital team is a collection of veterinarians, technicians, and professional staff, bound together with a commitment to serve our clients through education, the latest veterinary medicine technology, and, most important, compassionate care to all animals entrusted to us. Our team was been recognized by Angie’s List with the Super Service Award for 3 years in a row.
Lab Rescue of the Potomac
We partner with local nonprofit Labs of the Potomac to provide boarding and care to dogs in need.
Lu's Labs
We provide support and treatment to abandoned or mistreated animals that have been rescued by Lu’s Labs.
The History of Fairfax Animal Hospital
From our humble origins and thousands of pets later, we have grown to become the premier veterinary care facility serving customers across Falls Church, Bailey’s Crossroads, Shirlington, Annandale, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and DC. We are dedicated to the continuous modernization our practice and offer full-service animal care for dogs and cats, providing medical, surgical, dental, and preventive care to pets of all types. We also have an in-house pharmacy with access to specialists, making Fairfax Animal Hospital a one-stop shop for your pet’s health and medical needs.
Through the many years, our core commitment has remained the same: Providing the highest standard veterinary care for pets. We treat you like family, and your pet like it’s our own.