Meet our Staff

The Cat Hospital of Fairfax, Inc was established in 1991 by Dr. Janette Ellison.
At The Cat Hospital of Fairfax, each staff member is committed to every client and patient.We take pride in providing the highest level of feline care.To help us achieve this level of care, appointments with our doctors are typically 45 minutes long.

This time is spent talking about aspects of the patient's life, food preferences, preventative care, and any other pet-related concerns the client would like to discuss.
  • 3915 Old Lee Hwy
  • Ste 21B
  • Fairfax, VA 22030-2432
  • Phone: 703-273-5454
  • Fax: 703-273-8489
  • Email Us
  • Get Directions
  • Mon-Fri: 7:00am-6:00pm
  • Sat & Sun: Closed
  • Directions below
  • Janette Ellison, D.V.M.

    Janette Ellison, D.V.M.


    Our practice owner, Dr. Janette Ellison, grew up on a cattle farm in southern West Virginia where barn cats and calves were her pets. After ten years of general veterinary practice, she established The Cat Hospital of Fairfax, Inc. in 1991, in order to focus on feline care.

    A dedicated cat lover, Dr. Ellison admits to a continuing fondness for calves and one day, would like to walk a pet calf on a leash just outside The Cat Hospital so that people can see what cute and fun pets they can be. (Ah, Dr. Ellison, in rapidly urbanizing Fairfax City, that demonstration would draw PLENTY of attention.)

    In addition to cats and calves, Dr. Ellison has a passion for football – especially college football. West Virginia University and Purdue University, where she received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, receive her greatest fan loyalty.

    Years in Practice:
    Education:
    West Virgina University, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Eleanor 'Lynn' Colahan, D.V.M.

    Eleanor 'Lynn' Colahan, D.V.M.


    Dr. Lynn Colahan joined The Cat Hospital of Fairfax in May 2011 and she is excited to be working in a feline-exclusive practice again.

    Dr. Colahan has been in small animal practice since 1989, and seven of those years were with a feline-only veterinary practice.

    Her special interests include preventative care, gastrointestinal and parasites. Dr. Colahan is a 1989 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a B.S. in biology and a minor in animal science from Virginia Tech. Go Hokies!
    Years in Practice:
    Education:
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
    Specialities:
    Enter specialties here
    Email:
  • Teri Thorsteinson - Hospital Director, Veterinary Assistant

    Teri Thorsteinson - Hospital Director, Veterinary Assistant


    Teri Thorsteinson joined The Cat Hospital of Fairfax in April 2002. She left her job of 22 years with a mixed animal veterinary clinic in Oregon and moved across the country with her husband and cat family when his career brought them to Northern Virginia.

    They all settled in their new home in Montclair, picked out with the cats in mind, of course! It is on a lake with lots of birds and wildlife to watch from every window. They share their home with three Cornish Rex cats--Coco, Brighton, and Sammy, and a Sphynx cat named Disco NoFurNo.

    Teri has the experience of working in the veterinary field since 1972, and both her love of cats and her many years of experience in all aspects of a veterinary practice make her a valued member of our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

    In her free time, Teri enjoys blogging about cats, learning more about cats and their care, photography and seeking out ethnic restaurants.
    Years in Practice:
  • Sasha Stoddard - Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Sasha Stoddard - Licensed Veterinary Technician


    Sasha joined The Cat Hospital of Fairfax in May 2011. She received her Veterinary Technology degree from Medaille College in Buffalo, NY in 2000, and jumped into working as an emergency technician before deciding to join the Army.

    Stationed in Germany, Sasha worked as an Army Animal Care Specialist, caring for Military Working Dogs, as well as privately owned pets. After her time in the military, Sasha spent a few years raising two young children before feeling the need to return to the profession that she loved.

    In addition to her two human children, Sasha shares her Woodbridge home with an assortment of animal children. She lives with her four cats Kaho'olawe (otherwise known as Meow Meows), Mr. Bigglesworth, Mini Me and Fritz, and a few tanks of tropical fish.

    Sasha is finishing her Bachelors degree at George Mason University, and in her free time enjoys spending time with her children, spinning yarn and knitting, home canning and cooking, and also trains and competes in powerlifting.
    Years in Practice:
    Education:
    Medaille College, Veterinary Technology
    Specialities:
    Enter specialties here
    Email:
  • Chrissy Davis - Veterinary Assistant

    Chrissy Davis - Veterinary Assistant


    Chrissy joined the staff at The Cat Hospital of Fairfax in January 2007. She came to us after working for many years in the music industry.

    She began her love affair with kitties when she lived in Ankara, Turkey as a child, and took care of the feral colony of cats that lived around her house.

    Chrissy has two cats, named Katie and Lola, to keep her busy at home and when she's not at work, she enjoys going to concerts and trying out new restaurants around town.
    Years in Practice:
  • Mandee Richmond - Veterinary Assistant

    Mandee Richmond - Veterinary Assistant


    Mandee joined the Cat Hospital staff in August 2010. Her career as a veterinary assistant began in 1997, but this is her first time working in an all cat hospital. Most of her experience has been in mixed practices, so she's been learning many new techniques at The Cat Hospital.

    Mandee lives with Fibromyalgia, and most days you would not even know it. She was diagnosed after 13 years working as a veterinary assistant. Due to restrictions with handling large dogs because of her Fibromyalgia, but wanting to continue working in a field she loves, Mandee feels blessed to be working here at The Cat Hospital of Fairfax.

    Mandee and her husband Matthew reside in a wonderful home deep in the woods of Front Royal. There they like to spend their time spoiling their two cats, three chihuahuas and one parakeet.  Mandee also enjoys gardening and cooking with her husband.
    Years in Practice:
    Education:
    Enter education here
    Specialities:
    Enter specialties here
    Email:
  • Alberta Smith - Bookkeeper

    Alberta Smith - Bookkeeper


    Alberta was a Cat Hospital of Fairfax client in 2001, when she was invited to temporarily help with the bookkeeping during a brief staff shortage. Formerly, she had taught kindergarten and first grade on Long Island, NY.

    She has a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Science. She was completing the program for a Ph.D. when she left the university to marry a handsome Army captain on his way to Vietnam.

    He returned safely and after some career dictated travel, they settled in beautiful Virginia. Over the years, their family grew to include a daughter, a son, many cats and dogs.

    No, she never completed her doctorate!
    Years in Practice: