Arnold Pet Station

Generations of pet parents have trusted Fairfax Animal Hospital for friendly, reliable veterinary care. With a wide range of services and same-day urgent care, we’re proud to be your go-to local vet in Falls Church and the DC Metro area.

New Client Offer

$45 Off Your Pet's First Wellness Visit

Arnold's Dedicated Veterinarian & Animal Hospital Since 1992

At Arnold Pet Station, caring for pets is our mission and the heart of our story. Since 1992, when Dr. Lee Carr founded the practice, we’ve grown into a trusted, tight-knit part of the Arnold, Severna Park, and Annapolis communities. Many of our team members have been with us for years, including Medical Director Dr. Lindsay Laird and Practice Manager Katie Sturgill, creating a level of stability and trust that only experience can offer.

We welcome dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and pocket pets with full-service veterinary care, including wellness, surgery, dental care, diagnostics, and cozy boarding. Whatever your companion needs, our team shows up with compassion, expertise, and the kind of dedication that makes a difference.

When you step through our doors, you’ll be greeted by warmth, kindness, and a staff that genuinely loves every part of what they do. Welcome to Arnold Pet Station.

Full-Service Veterinary Care for Every Species

Wellness & Urgent Care

From nose-to-tail wellness visits to same-day urgent care, we keep your pet feeling their best with thoughtful guidance, thorough exams, and a team that treats every checkup like a chance to strengthen your pet’s healthiest years.

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Surgery & Dental Care

Whether your pet needs a routine procedure or advanced soft tissue surgery, our skilled surgical team provides meticulous, compassionate care. And with Dr. Sonali Kadam leading our dental program, your pet’s oral health gets the gold-standard treatment, ensuring their smile is clean, comfortable, and pain-free.

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Boarding, Daycare & Grooming

Staying with us feels like a mini-vacation, complete with cozy spaces, attentive care, and our fan-favorite Wednesday Activity Day for extra fun. Add in full-service grooming, and your pet goes home looking and feeling better than ever.

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Meet Our Team

Medical Director

Dr. Lindsay Laird

Weakness: Pitbulls

Dr. Laird brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and heartfelt compassion to her role as Medical Director at Arnold Pet Station. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Virginia Tech in 2010 and has been devoted to enhancing the lives of animals and their families ever since.

Before pursuing veterinary medicine, Dr. Laird worked at Johns Hopkins University as a laboratory technician in cancer research. Her experience in a high-level research environment helped cultivate a sharp eye for detail, a deep understanding of medical science, and a commitment to continuous learning – qualities she brings to every case she manages.

Dr. Laird joined the Arnold Pet Station team in June 2016 as an associate veterinarian. Her clinical excellence, collaborative approach, and ability to lead with empathy quickly stood out, and she was soon promoted to Medical Director. In this role, she helps oversee the hospital’s medical protocols, supports staff development, and ensures the highest standards of patient care. She especially values the long-term relationships she’s built with clients and their pets and takes great pride in being a trusted partner in their pets’ health journeys.

Her areas of interest include preventive medicine, internal medicine, and client education. Dr. Laird believes that the best veterinary care comes from strong communication, transparency, and mutual trust between veterinarian and pet owner.

Outside the hospital, Dr. Laird is a proud mom to her son Declan and an adoring dog mom to her pitbull, Rufus. Whether she’s enjoying a beach day, spending time with family, or sneaking in some extra snuggles with Rufus, Dr. Laird brings the same energy and warmth to her personal life that she brings to her patients every day.

Relief Veterinarian

Dr. Sonali Kadam

Weaknesses: Kitty cats and french fries.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Sonali Kadam join our team every Tuesday and Thursday, providing exceptional surgical and dentl care as well as comprehensive appointments.

Dr. Kadam earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Virginia Tech in 2019 and has been dedicated to solving medical mysteries and improving the lives of animals ever since. With experience treating cats, dogs, and a wide variety of exotic species – including chickens, snakes, guinea pigs, and more – Dr. Kadam brings a versatile skill set to our hospital. her professional interests include surgery, exotic animal medicine, and dermatology.

When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Kadam enjoys spending time with her husband and lively “zoo” of pets: nine cats (Frumpkin, Franklin, Stinky Fred, Stubbs Mackenzie, Fives, Spiff, Bubs, Kittenish Gambino, and Esteban), a chameleon named Shake N’ Bake, a tortoise named Turkleton, and two snakes named Freckles and Hemlock.

Outside of veterinary medicine, she loves homesteading and growing fresh vegetables in her garden.

Practice Manager

Katie Sturgill

Weaknesses: Chubby animals, puppies, and Chick-fil-A

Katie’s journey with Arnold Pet Station began in 2015 as a Kennel Attendant, where her enthusiasm, dedication, and love for animals quickly made her an essential part of the team. Over the years, she worked her way up – first becoming a veterinary assistant and gaining hands-on knowledge in the medical field, where her leadership skills quickly stood out. This led to her promotion to Hospital Lead, a role she held for five years. She also gained valuable experience working part-time in emergency veterinary medicine, further broadening her expertise.

In March 2025, Katie stepped into the role of Practice Manager, where she combines her deep veterinary knowledge with a passion for team development and client care. She is currently working toward earning her Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) license as well as her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification – demonstrating her commitment to continued growth and excellence in the field.

Katie’s medical interests include emergency medicine, anesthesia monitoring, and helping animals with anxiety feel safe and calm during their visits. Whether she’s behind the scenes ensuring smooth operations or comforting a nervous patient, Katie brings heart and hustle to everything she does. Her favorite part of the job is the lasting bonds she’s built with clients and their beloved pets over the years. Her compassionate leadership helps keep our hospital running smoothly – and our tails wagging!

Outside of the clinic, Katie loves spending time at her family’s farm on the Eastern Shore, fishing on her boat, attending concerts, and making memories with her husband Paul, their two labradors, Maui and Kai, and their cat Motley. She’s also kept on her toes by her two spirited chickens, Tanya Tucker and Tammy Wynette.

Kind Words from Our Clients

FAQs

In addition to cats and dogs, we see a wide range of exotic pets and small mammals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, tortoises, turtles, lizards, chickens, and non-venomous snakes. We also provide wellness care for birds.

We certainly are. New families are always welcome, and you’ll receive $45 off your first visit as a thank-you for choosing us.

Yes. We’re proud to give back to our community through our referral program, Membership Rewards Program, and discounts for senior citizens, first responders, veterinary professionals, military families, and rescue organizations.

Yes. We offer standard day and overnight boarding as well as medical boarding, with trained staff available to administer medications and monitor pets with special requirements.

Yes. We provide both domestic and international health certificates and can guide you through the documentation process.