Meet Our Team!
Meet the veterinarians and team of Hartwood Animal Hospital! We’re pleased to provide exceptional veterinary care for your pets!
Get to Know Our Team!
We are solely dedicated to caring for your pet. We look forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Veterinarians
Dr. Helen Jewett
Veterinarian
Dr. Helen Jewett has been a practicing Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine since 1991, when she graduated from Ross University School of Veterinarian Medicine. Dr. Jewett has worked at Alexandria Animal Hospital, Virginia-Maryland Veterinary Emergency Service, and Ridge Lake Animal Hospital. She has practiced at Ridge Lake for the past 12 years.
Dr. Tori McCarthy
Veterinarian
Dr. McCarthy is originally from Maine and loves to travel internationally. She grew up with a younger sister and two parents that always had room in their hearts to open their house to more animals. She married her high school sweetheart and they now share their home with three rescue dogs.
Dr. McCarthy graduated from the University of New England with her Bachelor of Science in animal behavior and obtained her DVM from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in the Caribbean after completing clinical rotations at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
Her interests include preventative health care, soft tissue surgery, and exotic companion animal medicine. Dr. McCarthy has always harbored a passion for working with animals, cherishing the opportunity to deliver exceptional care to patients and forge meaningful connections with their families.
Dr. Simeon Taft
Dr. Taft joined Hartwood Animal Hospital in April 2026, bringing more than 15 years of experience in companion animal medicine. He has extensive experience in surgery and provides care across a wide range of services, including preventative care and emergency medicine.
He earned his V.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where he focused on both small and large animal medicine. During his training, he pursued additional interests in ophthalmology, small animal internal medicine, and equine medicine and surgery through externships at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Before attending veterinary school, Dr. Taft worked as an animal keeper in the Elephant House at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., and volunteered with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. He also holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia and previously worked at the Federal Reserve, where he continued his studies in economics at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Kindra Washington
Dr. Kindra Washington’s passion for veterinary medicine began in the eleventh grade with a desire to give a voice to animals in distress. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal and Poultry Science from Virginia Tech, where she gained hands-on experience working with a variety of livestock and on a local dairy farm, before going on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine.
During veterinary school, Dr. Washington focused heavily on Equine Medicine, spending summers in the Large Animal Department assisting with surgeries and ambulatory calls. Since graduating, she has transitioned into small animal medicine and developed a special interest in internal medicine and veterinary dentistry. She is also excited to continue expanding her knowledge and experience in exotic animal medicine.
In addition to patient care, Dr. Washington is passionate about mentorship and community involvement. She has mentored students through externship programs at both Virginia Tech and Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine and enjoys opportunities to give back through volunteer work.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Washington enjoys reading, horticulture, gaming, crafting, traveling, and training with her two dogs.
Our Staff
Charlotte Caton
Practice Manager
Charlotte came to Hartwood with a business degree and background. She moved from receptionist to office manager and now the practice manager. Her love of animals, combined with her business background, has made her a good fit for the Practice Manager position. She has a great love for cats and horses, and she is lucky enough to enjoy every day. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends when not taking care of things on her farm.
Lucy Goodall, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Being born and raised on a farm in Rixeyville, VA, Lucy has always had a passion for animals. She grew up with sheep, horses, cows, chickens, and ducks, but her main passion when she was younger was horses. She worked as a stallion handler at Equine Reproduction Concepts in Amissville, VA, for six years. At the end of those six years, Lucy knew what she wanted to do as a career. She then moved south, attending Blue Ridge Community College and graduating with honors in 2009 with a degree in Veterinary Technology.
Nicole Ballard, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Bio Coming Soon!
Emily Deane, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Emily was born and raised in Northern VA, primarily in Fredericksburg. She has had a big space in her heart for other species since before she can remember; she was always trying to save any animal or bug she could get her hand on as a kid.
Debbie Eberle
Groomer
Debbie is originally from Maryland but has lived in the Fredericksburg area for most of 30 years. She became interested in caring for animals when she was quite young. Debbie currently has one dog, Bear, and one cat, Bonkers. Debbie started working as a dog bather right after high school and, by the age of 22, was the head groomer at the shop where she was employed. Over the years, she has groomed thousands of dogs and owned a successful grooming business. Debbie is also a certified grooming instructor. She is very excited to work at Hartwood Animal Hospital.