Our Staff
Passionate. Dedicated. Talented. The team at Pack Animal Care believes in making a difference in your life.
Passionate. Dedicated. Talented. The team at Pack Animal Care believes in making a difference in your life.
Dr. Robinson is Co-Owner of Pack Animal Care (PACK) with his wife Dr. Ventocilla. They had always dreamed of opening a clinic, so when a worldwide pandemic proved that they really could be around each other 24 hours a day, he knew that his medical and management experience could be a real asset to their hospital. PACK is strengthened by his strong drive to help the people around him.
Raised in London, England, he completed the majority of his education in the US. After spending his adolescence in Hawaii, he earned his bachelors and veterinary degrees at Cornell University in New York, graduating from the Veterinary School in 2013.
Dr. Robinson has always wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age, his family often reminisce that he was regularly found chasing animals and climbing into farmers fields on family trips. Dreams of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ cultivated his desire to specifically avoid specialty practice and instead become a neighborhood veterinarian – someone familiar to the family that would always be there to keep their family pets healthy and joyful. Knowing that he would quickly settle down after school, Dr. Robinson took time away to volunteer and study endangered species. He was lucky enough to care for amazing animals, such as, Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Grizzly Bears, Coatimundis, Cheetahs, Giraffes, Rhinos, and other endangered African Savannah species. He also rehabilitated native US wildlife species, and still has the seagull bite scars to prove it!
As a veterinarian, Dr. Robinson has developed a love for educating clients and ensuring that they understand and are invested in all important aspects of their pet’s health. You’ll regularly find him on the exam room floor, putting all pride aside to make his patients as comfortable as possible. Professionally, he has developed keen interests in Dentistry, Surgery, Clinical Pathology, Endocrinology and Geriatric medicine, and plans to reflect this in the services offered here at PACK.
In his spare time (when he gets it), Dr. Robinson loves spending time with his girls and takes pride in his skill as a human-jungle gym. He is so proud of them and will likely show you pictures if you ask for them or not! He is a passionate Tottenham Hotspur fan (English Premier League) as this has been his family team, dating back to his grandfather living only a few roads from the stadium. He enjoys DIY projects around the house, and is eternally grateful to Dr. Ventocilla for being patient enough to live in a construction site while he attempts them. At night he enjoys nothing better than some brain-dead reality TV, and makes occasional weak attempts at being a runner and a reader. He lives at home with Dr. Ventocilla, their daughters Eliza & Emma, their yellow Lab Sophie, and two cats Alfie and Frenchie.
Dr. Ventocilla is Co-Owner of Pack Animal Care (PACK) with her husband Dr. Robinson. They only achieved their dream because of her enthusiasm and tenacious drive to create a place that would reflect their passion to care for animals and their owners. She not only brings her medical experience, but also her diverse knowledge of veterinary clinics and how they are evolving to be more efficient and task-oriented. PACK is strengthened by her strong family ethic – the care that she shows everyone in her community is the true heart and soul of the clinic.
Raised in Lima, Peru, she attended an all-German school through every grade level as her German mother was a teacher there. She earned her veterinary degree from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, completing a now-internationally published thesis on Avian Newcastle’s Virus during her studies. She completed a surgical internship at the Universidad de Buenos Aires in Argentina, before moving to the US in 2010.
While working toward her US equivalency degree, Dr. Ventocilla became a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) at Northern Virginia Community College, and became Head LVT at a busy 6-doctor practice. It wasn’t long before she completed her American Veterinary Certification in 2016, and assumed the role of a veterinarian in the same practice. She really has worked in all positions in a veterinary clinic, not only developing a diverse skill set, but also empathy for the hard work that goes into all aspects of the clinic.
Dr. Ventocilla knew she wanted to be a vet as a young girl, spending long afternoons watching dolphins and other marine mammals from the sands of a Peruvian beach. In Lima, her compassion for animals drove her to advocate for the welfare and treatment of street dogs, and ultimately drove her into her veterinary career. Nothing captures her empathy more than the fact that she kidnapped the class goat, while in vet school. It was the night before her terminal surgery, so she sedated her, loaded her in the back of a compact car, and dropped her off at an animal sanctuary to live out the rest of her life. Years later, Dr. Ventocilla was made godmother of her baby goats.
Her fascination with dolphins continued, and brought her to Tampa, FL where she worked, rehabilitating and releasing injured or orphaned dolphins back into the ocean. Despite settling in Northern Virginia, and falling in love with the connection that people develop with their pets, she will always maintain her special connection to dolphins and the ocean, no matter the distance.
As a veterinarian, Dr. Ventocilla has a natural love and joy for all of her patients that can be seen whenever she enters the exam room. She is trilingual (English, Spanish, and German), and takes the time to listen to clients observations so she can really understand her patient. Professionally, she has developed a love for Surgery, Dermatology, Pediatrics, Preventative Care, and Shelter Medicine. She plans to use her love of Pediatrics, to make that nervous first puppy/kitten visit fun, confidence-building, and the beginning of a priceless bond.
In her spare time, nothing gives Dr. Ventocilla more joy than being a mother to her two girls. She is regularly looking up craft projects or adventurous outings (suggestions welcome) that she can do with them at the weekend. She claims to have an expert talent in finding the best deals amongst the racks at Marshalls, so if you see her leaving just turn around! She also enjoys keeping a playlist of latin music in the background, and can often be caught in a salsa step or two. She enjoys running, sewing, knitting, and lives at home with Dr. Robinson, their daughters Eliza & Emma, their yellow Lab Sophie, and two cats Alfie and Frenchie.
Olivia’s journey into veterinary medicine began like a Hallmark movie, with a Golden Retriever Puppy on Christmas morning called Skipper. Unlike most children however, she showed immediate dedication to Skipper, doing everything she could to improve his long and healthy life. This dedication pulled her into this career so that she can extend that same commitment to your animal – whatever they may need. Olivia’s talent has previously pulled her into every imaginable role in a veterinary hospital, from reception, assisting, surgery, and even practice management – but her true love is being hands-on with the animals she cares so deeply about. For that reason she is our clinic’s veterinary ‘quarterback’, and she will always be our venipuncture rockstar! She’s also in school to get her veterinary technician (LVT) degree, and we couldn’t be more proud of her.
As if work wasn’t enough, in her spare time she works with a board-certified veterinary surgeon to expand her surgical assisting skills, but still finds time to relax. She enjoys running (aiming to run a 10K by the end of the year!), binge watching new shows, and constantly on the hunt for amazing new restaurants, breweries, or wineries in NOVA (suggestions welcome).
She one day hopes to realize her HGTV dreams and live in a renovated ‘fixer upper’ with her boyfriend Russell. Until then, she lives with the sweetest Golden Retriever you’ll ever meet, Clementine and her cat Señor Don Gato, whose luxurious life made him forget his stray cat roots years ago
Born and raised in NOVA, En grew up wanting to be a vet because of an innate love of animals. Her strong creative side pulled her initially into art school, but she eventually found her way back to the industry – appreciating the hands-on, active, client focused role of an assistant. She loves the balance between a medical focus with the patients always the priority, with the sincere client interactions she gets in every appointment that helps her get to the heart of the issue. She has a natural calming gift with animals, and will often be the assistant your dog will fall in love with, and as a doctor’s sidekick, she’s indispensable.
In her spare time, she’s actively studying toward becoming an LVT, hoping to one day work with exotics species as well. A self-proclaimed ‘plant nerd’, we immediately made her responsible for our indoor plants at Pack, as if she wasn’t already busy with her 60+ plants at home. If you have plant questions – En is your expert! She is more focused on the happiness of others than herself, but when she finally takes some ‘me time’ she enjoys hanging out with friends, losing her afternoon to youtube videos, and a healthy dose of retail therapy.
She lives at home with her mom and sister, but that only pales in comparison to her small zoo. She’s woken every morning to the greetings of Ian, her Green Cheek Conure, and Fendi, her one-legged Quaker Parrot. She’d like to hit the snooze, however that’s actually the name of her fruit-hating Lovebird. She’s also regularly watched by her Box Turtles Koopa & Troopa, as well as her Musk Turtles Jet & Mudkip.
Jessica has worked all jobs in a vet hospital, but she found her niche after completing her degree in 2018 to become an LVT. In this role she appreciates one-on-one care of surgery patients, applying her skill in anesthesia and pain management to ensure that all patients in her care are safe and comfortable. She’s also regularly spotted in exam rooms during appointments as she loves every chance to get to know her patients and their parents.
In her spare time, she prefers a peaceful day exploring local parks, baking, reading, or squeezing in a workout. She enjoys unwinding with family and friends, and her favorite place to visit is Disneyland, which to her completely lives up to its reputation as the happiest place on earth!
She lives with her husband and her very own animal pack (incl. 3 dogs and 3 cats). Sugar (1yr old Beagle) and Chloe (11yr old cat) will likely be found in the cabinets, getting up to trouble, while Vato, her 10 year old Chihuahua will be master-minding the whole operation from his mom’s arms. Asher (7 year old cat) and Scrappy (10 year old Shepherd Mix), with their electric personalities, will be cheering everyone on from the sidelines. Smokey, her 14 year old cat, will be peacefully watching the chaos unfold, just as long as she’s not going into the vet clinic that day where she regularly embarrasses her mom.
Morgan was born in Alexandria, VA and has stayed in NOVA all her life. She has always had a fondness for animals, volunteering for a local animal rescue at 15, and eventually getting a job at the rescue’s partner animal hospital. She started working in the kennels, but quickly gained responsibility by working in all areas of the hospital, but she settled into the role of an assistant because she thrives on being intimately involved in the medical care. She’s enjoyed watching veterinary medicine grow in its sophistication over these years, so much so that now her career goal is to go to vet school herself. Her commitment to animals is not just in the clinic, she has also been vice-president of a local dog rescue for 4 years, and had a specific passion for rescuing dogs from rural high-kill shelters in West Virginia.
In her spare time, she likes to unwind by performing stand-up comedy – using humor to encourage herself and others to always focus on the lighter sides of life. When not on the stage, she takes her dog on hikes, watching TV, and going to comedy shows.
She currently lives in a townhome in Annandale with a roommate, though she hopes to be able to buy a house for her pets, Walter (dog) and Rose (cat), in the next 5 years. Walter is a goofy, trick-performing hound, who’s affinity for cats is rarely reciprocated, no matter how hard he tries. Rose is a former street cat who continues to refine her hunting skills on Morgan’s toes through the bed covers.
Born and raised in ‘corn country’ Iowa. Despite a childhood spent de-tasseling corn every summer, Yvonne always had a bond with animals and was convinced that her career would lead her to them, but the Army came calling first. After a long military Service, and a degree in Criminal Justice, she found a newspaper Ad for an assistant position in a veterinary hospital with no experience necessary – this was her foot in the door. She began with little experience, but talent, commitment, and reliability lead to a 20 year career as an assistant, receptionist, and practice manager, until she found her way to our Pack.
When she’s not at work, she continues her goal of helping as many animals as possible by volunteering with Holly’s Hands, a local charity committed to helping domestic animals in 3rd world countries, or those ravaged by natural disasters. When she takes time for herself, she enjoys hiking, swimming, weight training, and spending time with her large family… but nothing beats putting her feet up and sipping a chocolate martini
She lives at home with her Husband, Wilson, of 25 years in their empty nest. Her 4 grown children have all moved out, so she’s filled the space with her own animal sanctuary. She has 3 dogs – Ozzy who contributes all of the medical bills, Stewart who could stand to lose a few pounds, and Nakia, her nutty little Staffy. She also has 5 cats – Opal who rules the roost, Luna who spends most of her time under the bed, Zuri her medical anomaly, Purrl who was found under her porch, and Richmond who was rescued incredibly from the middle of Richmond Hwy as a 4 week old kitten – but shows little gratitude with his grumpy attitude.
Melissa has been a Lorton local all of her life – rising up through local public schools, then receiving her BSc from James Madison University before graduating from NOVA’s Veterinary Technology Program in 2016 (just 3 years after starting in the profession). Her skill can always be relied on around the hospital, and she is a wonderful teacher to the team and pet parents. She’s always happy to explain or show you any part of what she does at Pack, so that you can know that your pet is in the safest hands.
In her spare time, Melissa is naturally introverted and calm, fostering a love for baking, nature hikes to gorgeous lookouts, reading, and even assembling a puzzle at home. But few know that she hides a highly competitive side that has been known to come out on her family game nights – if board games are your fancy, she takes no prisoners!
She lives locally with her one-eyed, fluff ball, dog-like cat named Skyla. Having seen her lose her eye at 10 weeks old, Melissa knew that Skyla was meant to be in her life, and she’s been spoiling Skyla rotten ever since
Eylin was born in San Miguel, El Salvador and is one of our bilingual staff members. She gained an early appreciation and respect for animals caring for them on her Grandparents farm. At 7 years old she had a drastic change of environment when she moved to Falls Church, VA but her fondness for animals was unshaken. She traded farm animals for domestic pets, being drawn into medicine shortly after high school graduation. Eylin fell in love with helping animals, getting to see them return to the hospital feeling better than they were. She loves helping in surgery and sedated procedures, and especially loves the instant gratification of seeing a dental procedure removal calculus build-up or a severe abscess. She’s working toward going to school to become an LVT so that she can do this more often.
In her spare time, Eylin is actually an introvert that loves getting lost in a good fantasy book (don’t be surprised she has a dog named Khaleesi!), in order to rest up from her highly social job. She also loves cooking and can regularly be found stuck in a YouTube hole that she can’t get out of!
She lives at home with her parents, but is ready to fly the nest with her two Chihuahua’s Khaleesi and Kai – both of whom have an incredible talent to either highlight or ruin a photo, you just don’t know which response you’ll get!
Jo’s journey into veterinary medicine began taking care of chickens, cows, donkeys, goats, horses and mules on her grandparent’s farm in Guatemala. She’s lived in Florida, Texas, and Rhode Island, before settling in Virginia, and after taking a job in a veterinary hospital in Annandale, she was hooked! She loves the rollercoaster of emotions in veterinary medicine that make every day different, but is steadied by her constant love for her patients. She aspires to one day be a veterinarian, maybe even treating the cats in her own Cat Cafe.
When she’s not at work, she’s busy earning her Associate’s Degree in General Studies and checking off her prerequisites for further medical school. Any remaining spare time is then consumed by her two beautiful daughters, who are both currently learning how to swim. Jo enjoys passing her love of skateboarding on to her oldest daughter, but has been warned not to grind on the benches outside of the clinic! She loves to unwind on family walks, playing board games, or just veg-ing on the couch watching any of the Men in Black movies.
She lives at home with her husband, their two daughters, her sweet little cat Vivi, and mischievous cat & dog partners-in-crime Bader & Riley – who are likely even getting into trouble at the very moment you’re reading this.
