At Battletown Animal Clinic, we believe exceptional veterinary care starts with a compassionate, highly trained team. Recognized as the area’s Best Veterinary Practice and Best Veterinarian for four consecutive years since 2022, we are dedicated to delivering uncompromising medical care for your pets while creating a welcoming, stress-free environment for you.
From remembering your pet’s adorable quirks and preferences, to understanding your family’s needs—and never forgetting beloved past pets—you are never just another appointment on the schedule to us. We build genuine, lifelong relationships with you and your furry family members.
Whether we are caring for our patients at the clinic or helping our community right here in Berryville, we share one simple goal: providing the best possible care to ensure your pet enjoys a long, healthy, and happy life
With diverse clinical focuses ranging from advanced surgery and internal medicine to urgent care and Fear Free® handling, our team of highly skilled veterinarians practices the latest in veterinary medicine to achieve the best possible health outcomes for your pet. They are passionate about partnering with you to ensure your pet’s long-term health, comfort, and well-being.
In 2021, Dr. Nuzzo acquired Battletown Animal Clinic with a clear vision: to remain a proudly privately-owned practice. For Dr. Nuzzo, the best part of being a veterinarian is serving her local community by helping people care for their beloved dogs and cats, alongside a hand-selected team of equally dedicated, compassionate professionals. Everyone at Battletown Animal Clinic shares her deep-seated love for animals and unwavering commitment to their well-being. It’s this shared sense of purpose that makes each day not just a job, but a privilege. Veterinary medicine isn’t just what they do; it’s who they are.
When she isn’t at the clinic, Dr. Nuzzo enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with her husband, their son, and a full household of two dogs and three cats.
Dr. Hodgson is a Fear Free Certified professional, and she is dedicated to fostering positive, low-stress veterinary visits for both pets and their families.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, and spending time with family. She shares her home with a spirited chocolate Labrador Retriever named Bear, who always keeps her on her toes.
She lives with her spouse, three cats, and a dog. Her personal interests include adventurous cooking, practicing to be a sommelier, outdoor activities, yoga, reading, painting, and traveling.
Favorite thing about being a veterinarian: The cats!
She has been practicing veterinary medicine in Northern Virginia and Maryland since 2014. Dr. Lewis also spent some time practicing in Minnesota. Her special interests include urgent care, low stress handling, nutrition, client education, and the human animal bond. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and The Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Lewis is Fear Free Certified, and is an Elite Fear Free Certified Professional.
When not at work, Dr. Lewis enjoys cooking, hiking, watching movies, rooting for the Washington Capitals, attending the local farmers market, and spending time with her husband. She has two adorable Jack Russell Terriers named Ruby and Wallace, that keep her on her toes at all times.
Dr. Maria Werkiser received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. After graduation, she completed an internship with Delaware Equine Center in Cochranville, Pennsylvania. A decision was made at that point to focus on small animal medicine and after starting her family, she made her way to Wilmington Animal Hospital in Wilmington Delaware.
There she worked for 25 years developing strong relationships with her clients and caring for many pets for their entire lives. Her favorite part of her job is the relationship with clients and their pets, working through the complicated medical cases, and the human/animal bond.
Dr. Werkiser moved from Pennsylvania to a farm in West Virginia in 2025 and started at Battletown Animal Clinic in December of that year. She lives with her husband, two herding dogs, a cat, a small herd of Hereford cattle, and two horses. She enjoys it when her three daughters come to visit to experience the farm and the outdoors. Her personal interests include gardening, outdoor activities, bird watching, and going to the gym. Her passion is training, competing and trail riding her off-the-track thoroughbred “Dru”.
Dr. Loonam was born and raised outside Chicago, Illinois and then near Gladstone, New Jersey. She moved to Virginia in her senior year of high school and attended Loudoun Valley High School. She completed her undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech and then went to vet school at the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Gasser graduated from the Veterinary College at North Carolina State University in 1999, and completed her internship and residency at the University of Pennsylvania. She received Board Certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2004. She spent 13 years in private practice as an Internal Medicine Specialist in NJ and VA. She opened Salutaris Veterinary Specialists, PLC with her husband, Dr. Matthew Nicholson, in the Fall of 2017, and now provides mobile internal medicine consultation and ultrasound interpretation to local clinics in northern Virginia.
Dr. Nicholson graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) in 1999, and completed his internship and residency at The University of Pennsylvania. He received Board Certification from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2004. Since 2003, he has been in private practice as an Associate Surgeon, and spent 2 years (2009-2011) as a Clinical Associate Professor in Surgery at VMRCVM. He became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner in 2014.
Dr. Lazar grew up in Fairfax County, graduated from Robinson High School in 1987, and received his BA in biology at the University of Virginia in 1991.
He earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1997, he completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City.
Following a year of private practice in Manhattan, Dr. Lazar moved to Maitland, Florida, and spent four years in a small animal surgery internship and residency at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists. In 2003, he earned board certification by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Since 2002, Dr. Lazar has focused on small animal specialty surgery in Northern Virginia. He lives in Reston with his wife, two sons and a plethora of pets including dogs, cats, birds, snakes and fish.
Dr. Cathy Jarrett grew up in Poolesville, Maryland. She attended veterinary school at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and has practiced small animal medicine in northern Virginia for over 20 years. She has been performing ultrasound examinations for over 18 years. Dr. Jarrett firmly believes using ultrasound can bring a wealth of incredibly useful information about pets in a non-invasive way, which helps determine how best to help the patient.
Serving the Northern Virginia area, Salutaris Veterinary Specialists is a mobile team of board-certified veterinary experts. Founded in 2017 by Dr. Angie Gasser Nicholson (DACVIM) and Dr. Matthew Nicholson (DACVS, CCRP), Salutaris partners with us to provide expert internal medicine consultations, comprehensive ultrasound interpretation, and advanced orthopedic surgical procedures right here in our clinic.
Superpower: Keeping the team supported, the schedule humming, and the patients at the heart of it all.
Over 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine.
Sarah has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal & Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech. Sarah grew up in Berryville and joined Battletown Animal Clinic in 2021. In many ways, joining Battletown has felt like coming home.
Her favorite part of working at the clinic is having the opportunity to build relationships with pets and their owners while nurturing the special bond between animals and their humans. She also loves that the clinic provides personalized care with a hometown touch.
Away from work, Sarah enjoys reading, traveling to new cities, baking with her daughter, Addison, and spending time with her husband, Anthony.
Sarah and her family have given two rescued bully-breed pups, Chopper and Gator, their forever home. They plan to continue opening their home to pets in need. After all, rescued is their favorite breed!
Superpower: Making every single client feel heard and ensuring every pet feels like a VIP.
Over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Tina has an associate’s degree in social sciences. She came onboard Battletown Animal Clinic in 2021. Helping clients get the care they need for their pets is what she appreciates most about working in a veterinary clinic.
Away from work, she dedicates most of her time to AKC events such as hunting, obedience, rally, conformation, dock diving, and scent work with her German Shorthaired Pointers.
Superpower: Fluent in purrs, headbutts, and earning the trust of even the most discerning feline friends.
Over 19 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Shelly graduated from Northern Virginia Community College in 2016. In the same year, she proceeded to take the national board exam and has been licensed since. She came onboard Battletown Animal Clinic in 2021.
Shelly loves taking care of cats and dogs whether they’re sick or healthy. She was only 15 years old when she started working in her chosen field and since then has become dedicated to pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. What she loves most about her time in the clinic is the people she works with and their commitment and dedication to helping animals.
Outside of work, Shelly enjoys reading and adventuring outdoors with her children and husband. She shares her home with two rescued dogs and a menagerie of feline friends.
Superpower: The ability to flawlessly insert a movie quote into nearly any conversation.
Over 30 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Julee has been a team member of Battletown Animal Clinic since 2023, having acquired her education from Wingate College and earning her Fear Free certification in 2017. With over 30 years of experience in various veterinary roles, Julee brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team.
Her passion for veterinary medicine lies in its ability to strengthen the Human/Animal Bond, a connection she’s cherished since childhood, surrounded by dogs and cats. She marvels at how creatures of all kinds, from furry companions to those with scales or feathers, can bring immense love and comfort to our lives.
Outside of work, Julee indulges in her love for nature through hiking and photography, often exploring the beaches of Virginia and North Carolina. At home, Julee shares her space with Jetty the Labrador Retriever, Nigel the “supermutt” rescue, Frisco the brown tabby, and Nugget the ginger tabby, forming a lively household filled with furry companions.
Superpower: Our animal empath, with an intuitive ability to read what a pet is feeling and give them what they need to feel safe.
Three years of experience in veterinary medicine
Pia joined Battletown Animal Clinic in 2025. She is passionate about providing compassionate care to animals of all kinds and making sure they feel safe, comfortable, and loved.
Outside of work, Pia enjoys spending time with her dog, Kylo, and caring for her cat, Jazzy. She loves taking Kylo on hikes, baking goodies to share with everyone at the clinic, and lending a hand on her best friend’s farm. Animals have always been a big part of Pia’s life, and she is grateful to have a career and a community that allows her to share that passion every day!
Superpower: Reigning Anesthesia Queen, overseeing safe, smooth procedures and recoveries.
33 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Samantha (aka Sam) has been working with animals in some capacity and for over 30 years. Her experience includes working in veterinary practice since she was 14, riding and showing horses, working as a horseback trail guide, volunteering at a shelter, pet sitting and a short stint as a Mounted Patrol Officer for NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.
She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medical Technology and Equine Studies from Wilson College in 2002. Sam has been a Licensed Veterinary Technician for 24 years and a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Anesthesia and Analgesia (pain management) since 2009. She has experience in many areas of veterinary medicine including small animal emergency, small animal internal medicine, small animal surgery, equine surgery and equine private practice. Sam has performed over 700 hours of equine anesthesia and over 10,000 hours of small animal anesthesia over the years. She takes great pride in helping to develop anesthesia protocols for each individual patient based on their needs to provide a safe and comfortable experience. She looks forward to meeting the clients and their pets and discussing any anesthesia questions and concerns you may have!
Samantha shares her life with her wonderful husband, Bill and several rescued animals.
Superpower: Unmatched attention to detail—ensuring absolutely nothing gets missed when it comes to your pet’s care.
16 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Jenna graduated in 2013 from Blue Ridge Community College and after completing the Veterinary Technician Program, obtained her license as a Veterinary Technician.
In 2022, she became part of Battletown Animal Clinic and has since loved being part of the team. She appreciates how everyone is like family and collaborates so well.
Jenna values spending time with her family above all else, especially as a working mom. She makes sure to set aside quality time with her children and husband. Jenna’s family is incomplete without Rylee the pointer-mix and Hazel the pitbull-mix. They love going on walks at Blandy farm!
Superpower: Treating, loving, and advocating for every single patient exactly as if they were her own.
Over 16 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Sarah started working at Battletown Animal Clinic in 2022 and has since enjoyed being part of a team of caring and compassionate professionals. She loves getting to know clients and their pets and chose a career in veterinary medicine because she understands the meaningful impact pets can have on people’s lives.
She has dedicated herself to helping provide the best care possible to clients and their beloved pets.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys going on new adventures with her IVF miracle baby, Dawson, attending concerts, tackling home improvement projects, traveling, and enjoying the great outdoors. More than anything, she loves spending time with her friends, family, and family, and furbabies. Her furry family includes a hound named Rubie Rue and three cats: Argo, AJ, and Buddy.
Superpower: A magical ability to soothe fearful, anxious, or “spicy” pets, all while keeping things running smoothly.
16 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Ashley came onboard to the Battletown Animal Clinic in 2022. Her favorite part of veterinary medicine is being a voice and an advocate for animals. She also very much appreciates taking part in the process of observing an animal in distress and assisting in their recovery. Ashley loves how everyone is like family at the clinic.
In her free time, Ashley can be found spending time with her family. In addition to her two kids, she has three furbabies named Kobe, Kash and Chase. They are playful labs who enjoy swimming in the river for fun.
Superpower: Fierce advocate for top-tier patient care and empowering pet parents with the “whys” and “hows” of veterinary medicine.
7 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Hannah joined Battletown Animal Clinic in 2024. She brings an immense love for veterinary medicine and a desire to expand her knowledge and skillset.
Hannah is a passionate advocate for patient care and client education and is always ready to offer support and compassion in the face of challenging diagnoses.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys reading, spending quality time with her family, and adventuring with her dogs: “purebred mutts” Suki and Edith Anne, and a sassy Shiba Inu named Akira. She also shares her home with two goofy cat siblings, Ersa and Selene.
Superpower: A professional snuggler armed with warm hugs, chin scratches, and endless love to make every patient feel right at home.
5 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Victoria joined Battletown Animal Clinic in 2025. Her favorite part of being a veterinary assistant is supporting both pets and their families through every stage of life—from welcoming a new puppy or kitten to helping senior pets receive the compassionate care they deserve.
Victoria is passionate about providing gentle care and helping pets feel comfortable and safe during their time at the clinic. She finds that building trust with patients and their families is one of the most meaningful parts of her job.
Outside of work, Tori can be found enjoying the outdoors with her family. She especially enjoys kayaking, hiking, and spending time by the river.
Superpower: Bringing infectious positivity, warmth, and a sunshine attitude to the clinic every single day.
8 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Malina joined Battletown Animal Clinic in the winter of 2026.
She loves the bonds humans form with their pets and takes pride in being part of their care.
In her free time Malina can be found enjoying all things horror while snuggling her cats.
Superpower: An unmatched ability to help anxious, skeptical kitties feel safe, calm, and cozy, even when they aren’t quite sure about the whole “going to the vet” thing.
Over 22 years of experience in veterinary medicine
Beverly joined the Battletown Animal Clinic team in May 2026, a lifelong love of animals with her. Over the course of her career, she has had the opportunity to care for all kinds of patients and has developed a particular soft spot for those who need a little extra patience and reassurance.
Beverly has a soft spot for our feline patients. She enjoys helping anxious kitties feel safe while they are in our care.
When she’s not at the clinic, you’ll usually find Beverly somewhere on the farm. She and her husband, Joel, raise SimAngus cattle and produce premium USDA-certified beef. Between cattle, farm chores, and everything else that comes with farm life, there’s rarely a dull moment!
When she does get some downtime, Beverly enjoys cooking, crafting, scrapbooking, and, most importantly, spending time with family and friends. She loves having the opportunity to slow down and get creative.
Animals have always been an important part of Beverly’s life, and she feels fortunate to be able to work with them in so many ways.
When your pet needs us most, we offer same-day urgent care at our everyday prices. Get your pet seen today with zero emergency fees.