Dr. Sunil Kakarla, an experienced and compassionate veterinarian in Cary, NC, grew up in India. After graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine in India, he practiced as a companion animal veterinarian for five years in a metropolitan city in India. He moved to the United States in 2005 with a passion for practicing high-quality veterinary medicine in an advanced setting. During that process, he pursued his MS and Ph.D. in a renowned lab at Marshall University in West Virginia.

As a graduate student, Dr. Kakarla performed cutting-edge research and had several high impact publications to his credit. While pursuing graduate studies, he simultaneously completed the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) in 2010.
Soon after this accomplishment, he began volunteering at several local animal hospitals. He completed his clinical experience program and obtained his license to practice in the US the same year.

In 2011, after graduating with a doctoral degree, he joined a small animal practice in Durham/RTP where he established a huge clientele and treated about 6000 to 7000 pets per year.

With his continued passion to provide the best quality veterinary care, he joined the state-of-the-art Walnut Street Animal Hospital in June 2016. As a veterinarian in the RTP area of NC, he strongly believes in quality care for pets and in being available to his patients when needed.

Sunil Kakarla is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and has special interests in dermatology and soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, as well as emergency medicine. Dr. Kakarla is married and has a son and a daughter. He enjoys spending quality time with his family, including his 1-year-old Golden-Doodle, Brownie, and a 4-year-old Poodle, Milky. He enjoys serving his community by actively helping rescue groups and shelter pets, and in his free time, he plays volleyball.

Sarah is an NC State graduate with double majors in Animal Science and Applied Nutrition. She has lived with animals her entire life and has always had a special place in her heart for them. She has been with the company since 2019, and she loves her job. Not only does she have the opportunity to meet new people and pets on a daily basis, but she also gets to help those fur babies stay happy and healthy with their families. Her favorite things to do outside of work include spending time with her furry kiddos; two dogs named Ochi and Denali, and two cats named Juniper and George. When she’s not at work, you can find her hiking with her dog, or taking part in any other activities in which she can include them.

Hello! My name is Caitlin, and I have been with Animal Place Hospital since 2017. I started out as a receptionist and after being with this practice for a year, I was promoted to Manager and transferred to our sister location, Capital Boulevard Animal Hospital. I absolutely loved the experience of opening a new clinic and getting acquainted with all of the rescues.

I am excited to start my new role as Client Coordinator with the company. I have always loved working with clients and making sure the owner and furbaby have a positive experience. In my free time, I am with my 2 human kiddos as well as my own furbabies.

Born and raised in Free Port, Bahamas, Cordero has always had an interest in the well-being of animals. He attended St. Georges’s High School and graduated in 2010. After taking a few college courses, he started working at Free Port Veterinary Hospital. Following five years of developing his skills as a veterinary technician, he decided to make the big move and come to Maryland. In 2015, Cordero traveled from home and decided to start a new chapter in his life – here in Silver Spring! In October of 2016, he became part of our team of veterinary technicians and has quickly found his niche in our family. He also works overnights at the Pet ER in Columbia.

In his time off (however slim that may be), Cordero enjoys working out and reading educational books. His love for animals shines through in all that he does, and his charismatic personality is contagious.

Rene has loved animals since she was a little girl and always treats our patients as if they were her own. She has a DSH cat named Isis. Rene has been a part of our family since November of 2005. When she is not here caring for our furry patients, she enjoys working out, nature walks and reading. She is a huge help and an important part of our team.

Bids is a full-time Information Science student at the University of Maryland and a part-time receptionist. He is a proud owner of a Siberian husky named Polar and a cat named Selo. In his free time, Bids enjoys traveling, staying active through sports and exploring new restaurants and cuisines.

Born and raised in New York City. In my free time I like to volunteer at animal shelters and sanctuaries.

Since entering veterinary medicine in 2008, Julia Libert has performed a wide range of duties from answering phones to assisting with complex surgeries. She appreciates that veterinary medicine is as much about the humans as the animals, and this has shaped an appreciation for client education and support. When not in a hospital setting, she is involved with animal rescue/rehabilitation. In fact, she learned of the job that started her veterinary journey from a rescue volunteer she met during the taping of the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl!

My love for animals began at a young age, and I feel incredibly grateful to have turned that passion into a career. Working with cats and dogs is more than just a job—it’s something I truly love. Every day brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and provide compassionate care to the pets and families who trust us.

Outside of work, I volunteer at a local animal rescue on my days off because helping animals has always been a big part of who I am. At home, I’m surrounded by my own furry family, including two Australian Shepherds and five wonderful rescue cats.

I believe every animal deserves kindness, patience, and exceptional care. My goal is to make every pet feel safe, comfortable, and loved while giving their owners the confidence that their companions are in caring and trustworthy hands.

Please provide information about yourself below. It can be anything from your experience in this field, how many pets you own or just any fun facts. Two-three sentences should be enough. This allows our clients to get to know a little bit about you!

I’ve been a Veterinary Assistant at Animal Place since January 2024. I have two dogs, Callie and Rojo, and three cats, Fina, Mocha, and Dunkin. I’m also a full-time student and spend some of my free time working on a farm caring for livestock. When I’m not working or studying, I enjoy painting, hiking, and spending time with my pets.

Hi, my name is Elenoire. I am enrolled in Montgomery College and completed their Vet 101 Assistant Program. I absolutely love working with all my furry friends.

I have always wanted to be a vet since I can remember and I’ve always had small exotics and cats! Joining the team here in 2023 let me put my skills to use and I absolutely love my job. In my free time I am also a personal trainer and gardener. I love all facets of health, no matter the species!

Maia (she/her) is a passionate animal advocate who has over a decade of experience volunteering with rescue animals of all shapes and sizes, from rabbits to goats to draft horses! She is kept busy at home with her four feline children and one snake, and works on multimedia art projects in her spare time.

Julie is originally from France and is passionate about animal care. On weekends, she volunteers as a cat feeder and has a cat named Umai. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, scuba diving, hiking and exploring nature. She looks forward to getting to know you and providing the best care for your pets.

Born & raised in Washington, D.C., I am a veterinary technician currently completing my Bachelor of Science in Animal Science (Pre-Veterinary Medicine ). After graduating high school in 2021 on a gymnastics scholarship, I discovered my true passion for veterinary medicine and shifted my focus to animal studies. I began my career starting as a surgical veterinary assistant in 2022 and have since worked throughout the DVM area, gaining hands-on experience in small animal practices while also working with university agriculture farm animals and research laboratories. Outside of work and school, I enjoy giving back to my community, changing my hairstyles , and working out.

Hello! My name is Erica. I have a German Shepherd named Jake! I gained an interest in VetMed after volunteering at a cat rescue for a few years. I loved being able to help sick animals regain their health. You will find me at work always with a smile on my face and happy to welcome all of your lovely cats and dogs.