Meet Our Veterinary Team

I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was 5 years old. At age 14, in 1966, I started work in the first of many veterinary clinics. Now, caring for you and your pets as a family is my passion, and I dedicate my whole life to this purpose. I graduated from The Ohio State University with my DVM degree in 1977.

After ten years of clinical practice, I became discouraged with the state of our pets’ health and knew that there must be something else. In 1988, I discovered veterinary acupuncture and received certification from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. This opened the door to the world of holistic medicine. In 1992, I became certified by the National Association of Natural Health Professionals. I then went on to complete a year’s training in veterinary homeopathy with the world-renowned Dr. Richard Pitcairn.

In 1993, I sold my veterinary practice in Maryland and moved to Sedona, AZ, a very spiritual place, seeking a spiritual journey. While there, I became Buddhist and took ordination as a Tibetan Buddhist nun from 2002 until 2023. I believe in the equality of all life and dedicate myself to the relief of suffering.

Since I believe in the motto “Healer Heal Thyself,” I completed a self-healing journey and learned Energy Healing at the Barbra Brennan Energy Healing School and the School for Enlightenment and Healing in 1994.

After spending time volunteering during the Katrina Relief efforts, I volunteered for Tara’s Babies Animal Sanctuary. This was a life-altering experience – seeing so much suffering and helping the animals and the people so affected by that storm. I have also volunteered for Garuda Aviary Parrot Sanctuary in Poolesville, MD.

Upon my return to Maryland in 2006, I worked in Bethesda at Veterinary Holistic Care. Then in 2013, Dr. Kitty Raichura and I established Holistic Veterinary Healing.

As I practiced holistic medicine with my animal patients, more and more of my clients asked me if I could treat them too. I decided to deepen my studies and spent three years in postdoctoral training at Tai Sophia, where I earned my Master’s degree in Human Acupuncture in 2010. I saw both human and animal patients until my partner, Dr. Kitty Raichura, died in 2016. Since then, I have dedicated my skills solely to animal patients.

I am certified in Medical Ozone Therapy for Animals and am also a Certified Fear Free Practitioner.

I live in Germantown with my two dogs, Bodhi, a Poochon, and Jack, a Yorkiepoo. My previous dog, Janelle, a chow husky cross who came to work with me every day and acted as the clinic nurse calming the patients, died in 2020. In my spare time, I like to stay in touch with my family and friends, watch movies, and play with my dogs at my friend’s farm. My favorite pass time is sitting in my recliner relaxing, meditating, praying, and watching my dogs play or sleep.

I’ve always had a passion for the medical field and grew up with a Traditional Chinese Medicine background. At a young age, my dad taught me a technique called Gua Sha and basic acupressure massage so that I could help provide relief for his back pains. I was always fascinated by different modalities and knew that I wanted to incorporate acupuncture/Chinese medicine into my future career.

Although I have always loved animals, I thought the only way to practice medicine was by going to medical school. Prior to my “discovery” of the veterinary field, I worked at acupuncture clinics, shadowed at (human) hospitals, and was a Red Cross volunteer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Additionally, I had been involved in research at facilities including UMD and FDA.

I was first introduced to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) in 2015 by a veterinarian who was also certified in veterinary acupuncture (Dr. Allison Marshall). I instantly fell in love with the field and immediately decided to pursue veterinary medicine.

I spent 2 years shadowing veterinary acupuncturists and a laboratory animal medicine clinician. In 2017, I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering at VCU and went to vet school at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM). Since then, I have developed a strong interest in integrative medicine, pathology, surgery, and exotics. I have also worked in the Clinical Pathology lab at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital during my first 3 years of vet school and was also involved in research at VMCVM.

In 2020, I started my acupuncture (CVA) training with Chi University, and in May 2021, I completed my DVM degree at VMCVM. Throughout this journey so far, I realized my dream is to provide the best care possible for our animal patients through integrative medicine (combining holistic and conventional medicine). I strongly believe that there is a proper time and place for every medical therapy, technique, and modality out there. My life goal is to figure out how and when to properly use these powerful tools.

During my free time, I love spending time with family, playing golf, spoiling my rat (Dango), and trying new trendy foods/drinks/desserts. My all-time hobby is lion dance, and I love performing with my troupe (Choy Wun). Who knows, you might be able to catch me performing at grand openings or at the mall during Lunar New Year!

Cecelia was born in Washington, DC, and moved to Montgomery County as a child. She even graduated from Seneca Valley High School. After college, she lived in Virginia and Georgia, then returned to Maryland in 2005. She has worked as a mediator, a church administrator, a paralegal, and an office manager.

In her spare time, she likes to read science fiction, work in her yard, and walk in the woods.

Julie Rand has been with HVH since August 2015. She graduated from the University of Maryland. She and her husband have two daughters and a grandson and have owned and managed their own general contracting business since 1993. Currently, Julie has 3 senior dogs, a cat, and a hermit crab that is over 18 years old. She has had a variety of other animals, including hamsters, fish, mice, guinea pigs, geckos, and a horse. Prior to working at HVH, Julie fostered both dogs and cats and volunteered for various animal-related organizations. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with others about using holistic natural methods to keep their pets healthy.

Julie worked for Nature’s Variety from 2007 until 2010 and then worked for Answers Pet Food until 2021. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dogs, reading, gardening, and visiting the beach.

Julie Stamatakos has worked with Dr. Deb since 2008. Julie’s 30+ years in the medical field include working as a Registered Nurse, a human acupuncturist, and a Reiki practitioner.

Julie earned her Master of Acupuncture in 2000. A Reiki practitioner since 1997, Julie’s additional training & experience in energetic healing modalities include training and certification in the Usui System, Animal Reiki Level II, Holy Fire II Reiki Master level, & Eden Energy Medicine Levels 1 & 2.

At HVH, Julie combines a love of animals, her healthcare background & enthusiasm for health & holistic living to bring wellness education and empowered self-care to pets and their human families.

Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, cooking, biking, and hiking.

Susan joined the Holistic Veterinary Healing (HVH) family in the winter of 2019 as an intern as part of her Veterinary Assistant training at Montgomery College, thinking this was an area she would pursue after retirement. HVH hired Susan in April 2019 after the completion of her internship, has retired, and spends three days a week in the clinic.

Susan has had many cat and dog companions over the years, including having five cats at one time! Her first dog, an American Eskimo, came to the family in the fall of 1998 for her daughters. Lady soon became Susan’s dear companion. Once Lady died, she thought her years of dog ownership were over as she was downsizing. Fast forward, she currently has another Eskie named Nene. Susan and her husband live around the corner from HVH.

Bio coming soon

Fletch started working at HVH in April 2023.  However, he was known at HVH before that as the Intern Coordinator for Montgomery College’s Veterinary Assistant Program.  Instead of taking on an intern, HVH hired him to fill in as needed. With his experience monitoring surgeries and his knack for calming “challenging” patients, he is a valuable member of the team.  

Before, as he says, he “reinvented himself” as a veterinary assistant, Fletcher retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel and reinvented himself as a nuclear engineer working at the Department of Energy.  After retiring from his second career at DOE, he wanted to help animals, so he attended the program at MC to get trained as a veterinary assistant.

Fletcher says he considers it a goal and a challenge to win over the trust of animals that are scared.

Tori became interested in holistic medicine and modalities during her psychology and religious studies coursework in college. When offered the position at HVH, Tori leapt at the opportunity to work with animals full-time in a holistic environment. She has plans to further her education in the veterinary field. When she is not at work she enjoys pickleball, yoga, cooking, art and walking around the lake near her home.

Adam likes to go to concerts, cook for his family and friends, follow local sports teams, maintain his aquarium, and care for his newest and first puppy, Ollie.

Whether it’s lending a hand with routine check-ups or comforting pets during recovery, OJ is committed to making sure every animal leaves HVH feeling healthier and happier.