Providing health care and helping animals live longer is the main goal of Clifton/Centreville Animal Clinic. Located at 13822-A Braddock Road, Old Centreville Crossing, in Centreville, the clinic provides numerous medical services to the dogs and cats of the area. From diagnosing disease to treating heart worm, Dr. Jamie Netschert, 54, and his staff are dedicated to the health of each and every animal that walks in the door.
DECEMBER CELEBRATES the clinic's 20th year in practice but it is also celebrating the addition of a new doctor. Dr. Shara Chance joined the practice in August after working as a civilian veterinarian for the U.S. Army in Germany, where her husband, an Army Captain, was stationed. Chance graduated from Texas Tech University and went on to study at Texas A&M University.
"She is a great addition to the practice and we are very happy to have her with us," said Peggy Hack, practice manager. The Clifton/Centreville Animal Clinic is also home to Dr. Anna Tucker. Although she performs all the duties of the practice, she is the clinic's main surgeon. Dr. Tucker has been with Dr. Netschert for 18 years.
Dr. Jamie Netschert received his doctorate from Cambridge University in England. He performed his undergraduate studies in Utah, after which he returned to Virginia for two years to work, before traveling to England.
Netschert's wife Donna, 53, is the owner of Village Time Savers, a business that performs a variety of time-saving tasks — from pet sitting to house sitting to driving around senior citizens. The couple has a daughter, Caroline, 23, and they reside in Clifton, where they have lived for 21 years.
Donna, the first Centre View reporter 18 years ago, is the daughter of Betty and Don Boyd of Clifton. Don helped Jamie build his first veterinary clinic.
Born and raised in the Mount Vernon area, Jamie Netschert says that opening his clinic in Centreville was a "no-brainer."
Donna was also raised in the area — in Clifton. Jamie Netschert says that he wanted to become a veterinarian because it is the only medical science that blends working with people and animals. "I love working with both people and animals and I wanted a career that would allow me to help both," he said.
Jamie says he loves being able to serve the community and working in the Centreville area. "As long as Centreville stays the way it is, prospering and growing, I want to be here. I want to be a part of the people and the growth," he said.
The Clifton/Centreville Animal Clinic opened its doors in 1984 just down the street on Braddock Road. After two years there, Dr. Netschert moved the office to where the Burger King now stands on Old Centreville Road. In 1999, the practice was again moved to its new location.
During the past 20 years, Dr. Netschert has seen a wide variety of clients. He recalls watching many of the pet owners grow up. "Many of the people I worked with when they were young grow up and move back. They then bring their family pets to me. It's been fun watching my clients grow," he said.
He adds that some of his clients are as old as the practice itself. He tells of a man who brought his cats in a few months after the practice opened, and 20 years later, he still works with that same cat. "It is great to see animals living a long time, most don't live that long, but it great to see the ones who do," he said.
ACCORDING TO practice manager Peggy Hack, Netschert's most important work is the work he does with Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Dr. Netschert serves as the primary veterinarian in aiding the care of the guide dogs. Presently, he is working with his 50th dog. Also one Sunday of every month, Netschert opens his clinic to Alley Cat Allies, a local organization that works to spay and neuter stray cats. Alley Cat Allies captures stray cats, clips their ears, spays them, and then releases them back "into the wild." Dr. Netschert permits the use of his office for this cause. "Dr. Netschert really cares for the community," said Hack. Over the years, Netschert has worked with SPCA, helping to spay and neuter animals, and he was also the main veterinarian for Fancy Cats, a local organization that works to find homes for stray animals.
Netschert owes his success to his clients. "I have great clients. I owe everything I have to them," said Netschert. Being the main veterinarian for over 6,000 animals, Netschert claims that he wouldn't be where he is without his wide array of clients.
"My secret to success is my clients. If you provide good service and take care of the owners as well as the pets, you will be successful," said Netschert. "The most important thing is to keep the clients happy."