VCA Commonwealth Animal Hospital

Bios

• David Hunter

  DVM

  Dr. Hunter was born and raised in Beverly, Ohio. He attended Ohio State University for both his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Dr. Hunter began his veterinary career in Roanoke, Virginia, where he practiced for one year. He then practiced in Parkersburg, West Virginia for a period of three years. In 1982, Dr. Hunter was recruited by Dr. John Herrmann, the clinics previous owner, to join Commonwealth Animal Hospital. Over the years he has enjoyed expanding and perfecting his veterinary knowledge and skills at Commonwealth. He particularly enjoys performing surgery as well as his day-to-day interactions with the clinic's clients. In his spare time, Dr. Hunter enjoys playing golf, reading, watching sports and vacationing with his family. He is married and has two children. His family also includes a Welch Springer Spaniel named Strawberry, and twelve koi fish. "I grew up in a farm community and had animals all around me since I was born. I had always had a desire to try and fix things.. even animals. I would nurse them back to health whenever I could. Everything from baby rabbits, birds with broken wings, raising cockatiels and peach face love birds, and we even had chickens. I remember my first pet was a frog.. but we had two beagles and a few cats as well. I JUST truly love all animals!".

• Page VanSickle

  DVM

  Dr. Page VanSickle has been with Commonwealth Animal Hospital as an associate veterinarian since 2003. She has live in NOVA for nearly all her life and went to W.T. Woodson High School. She went to Virginia Tech and obtained an undergraduate degree in Animal Science and her veterinary degree at the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the Phi Zeta Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine and finished in the top 15% of her graduating class. Dr. VanSickle has been in general practice in the Northern Virginia area since graduating from veterinary school in 1994. Dr. VanSickle has a special interest in dermatology and internal medicine. She lives with her husband and 2 children and her furry family consists of tabby cats Basil and Sassy, snowshoe cat Shoe and a crazy Vizsla dog named Odi. She enjoys doing taekwondo with her kids and has a 3rd degree black belt. She is also a horse enthusiast and enjoys her horseback riding regularly. "I realized that everyone says they came into this field because they love animals.. but for me it is the honest truth! I cannot remember a time when I didn't want to be a vet.. maybe for a brief time I wanted to be a jockey after my love of horses, but soon realized I was too tall. I was very lucky to have the support from my family. My father worked for the forest service and it's because of him I have a fascination for nature and the outdoors. Having knowledge of the biological sciences has even served me well as a Veterinarian. One thing that I did not expect while going into veterinary medicine is how much interaction there is with people. I know I was na퀌�ve at the time, but I wanted to be a vet because I loved animals more than people. I was always very shy and it didn't occur to me how much I would interact with people. I am VERY happy to say now, that I truly enjoy interacting with my patients' care takers just as much as I love my patients! There are so many amazing things about my job! There is never a dull moment and every day is different and exciting. I love the challenge of trying to solve the mystery of a diagnosis. Some days I feel like Dr. House! And who could resist cuddling with the occasional puppy or kitten?! I truly love my job!".