The Team
Fredericksburg Veterinarians
White Oak Animal Hospital is home to a team of skilled and compassionate veterinarians.
Proudly Serving Stafford County Pets
Stacy Horner-Dunn, DVM, Co-Owner
Dr. Stacy Horner-Dunn opened White Oak Animal Hospital with her husband, Dr. Gary Dunn, in June 1996. Dr. Horner-Dunn grew up in Delran, New Jersey. Her motivation to become a veterinarian came from her family, particularly her father. He had a great love for the outdoors and animals, resulting in Dr. Horner-Dunn being exposed to animals ranging from turtles and fish to cats and dogs. She remembers visiting the local veterinarian who treated the family dog for heartworm disease and being completely captured by the entire process. Dr. Horner-Dunn's childhood motivation pushed her to volunteer at an animal hospital.
As an undergraduate at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Madison campus, Dr. Horner-Dunn studied biology and graduated magna cum laude in 1985. She attended the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. While at veterinary school, Dr. Horner-Dunn received the Clinical Proficiency Award.
Dr. Horner-Dunn is a member of both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. Among many areas of professional interest, she has a special passion for dermatology.
"Each day at the hospital brings a new challenge," says Dr. Horner-Dunn. "Different medical issues and various clients makes the job interesting and rewarding." There are difficult parts to her job, particularly providing euthanasia, although she feels it's a gift to be able to end an animal's suffering and help clients through the sad experience. Ultimately, she says, "There's nothing more gratifying then returning a healthy pet to their owner."
At home, Dr. Horner-Dunn has two dogs: a mix-breed named Levi and a small mixed breed terrier named Josephine. She also has three domestic shorthair cats named Warren, Bennett and Botetourt. Dr. Horner-Dunn enjoys gardening, flower arranging, and furniture restoration. She also supports the Stafford County Shelter by volunteering basic health care (e.g. heartworm checks, fecal checks, vaccines) and spaying and neutering.
Gary B. Dunn, DVM, Co-Owner
Dr. Gary B. Dunn opened White Oak Animal Hospital along with his wife, Dr. Stacy Horner-Dunn, in June 1996. Dr. Dunn grew up in Daytona Beach, Fla., in a family with numerous pets. He and his brothers took care of dogs, rabbits, birds, turtles and fish. His parents, he realizes now, were very patient and tolerant. Before high school, he worked at a pet store, and during high school and college, he worked at different veterinary hospitals.
Dr. Dunn studied biology at Florida State University. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1984. He attended the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1990. Dr. Dunn earned the Clinical Proficiency Award while at veterinary school and graduated with honors.
A member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Dunn's main professional interest lies in surgery." The best part of being a veterinarian is seeing an injured or ailing pet get well and return to its family," he says. "An added bonus is that every day is challenging and different."
At home, Dr. Dunn and his wife have two dogs: a mix-breed named Levi and a small mixed breed terrier named Josephine. They also have three domestic shorthair cats named Warren, Bennet and Botetourt. In his free time, Dr. Dunn enjoys reading, gardening, sailing, hiking and cooking.
Melanie Bell, DVM
Dr. Melanie Bell grew up in Maryland. She attended Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. After veterinary school, Dr. Bell interned at Mississippi State University.
As an associate veterinarian at White Oak Animal Hospital, Dr. Bell says her favorite part of being a veterinarian is providing service to the community that is different and challenging every day. "Everyday there is something new to learn," she says. "The people who I work with make life more fun."
Dr. Bell is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. Her professional interests include surgery, internal medicine and wellness care.
Dr. Bell enjoys spending time with her pets, knitting, and her memories from traveling.
Sandi Pepper, DVM
Dr. Sandi Pepper grew up in Fredericksburg, Va., with all kinds of animals, and knew from an early age that she wanted a career in the animal-care field. Before becoming a veterinarian, she volunteered for a large animal veterinarian and at a small zoo. She also worked at two veterinary hospitals and a state animal-health laboratory.
Dr. Pepper earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Randolph Macon College in 1996. Dr. Pepper earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, and is professionally interested in internal medicine.
She says that the most satisfying part of being a veterinarian is the variety. "I never have the same day twice," Dr. Pepper says, "and I am still seeing things I have never seen before, 15+ years into this profession. It keeps the job fresh and interesting."
At home, Dr. Pepper enjoys her small farm life. She has dogs, cats, goats, horses, mini donkeys, and chickens to keep her busy. She also volunteers for Chihuahua Rescue and loves helping the littles get a new chance at life. She and her husband, Josh, have two children, Ruby and Wes. She enjoys horseback riding, camping, and gardening.
Jennifer V. Skarbek, DVM
Dr. Jennifer Skarbek joined White Oak Animal Hospital in October 2012. She feels the most satisfying part of being a veterinarian is teaching pet owners how to have a rewarding and joyful human-animal bond. Dr. Skarbek is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. Her professional interests include dentistry, preventative care, dermatology, and geriatric care.
Dr. Skarbek studied biology and chemistry at University of Nebraska-Omaha on a Regents Scholarship. She then attended veterinary school at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating spring of 2012.
At home, she and her family enjoy 3 cats and a dog (with plans to add more dogs). Dr. Skarbek enjoys being outdoors, DIY home improvements, traveling, and daydreaming.
Julia Wolfe, DVM
Dr. Julia Wolfe joined the White Oak Animal Hospital team in November of 2018 as a full-time practitioner. Since 2013, she has been providing chiropractic services for our patients. Dr. Wolfe exhibits a professional interest in preventative medicine, sports medicine, and internal medicine. Dr. Wolfe is a member of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.
What Dr. Wolfe finds most rewarding is being able to take an integrative approach to medicine and care. She especially enjoys helping older pets age gracefully by taking a multimodal approach to pain management and mobility. Dr. Wolfe attained her doctorate in veterinary medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2011, she completed a residency in sports medicine and field service at University of Pennsylvania. In 2013, she also completed animal chiropractic school at Parker University and became AVCA certified. Currently, she is attending acupuncture school.
Away from the hospital, Dr. Wolfe likes to spend her free time with her family and pets (Dachshund, Devon Rex, and Flame Point Siamese) as well as in the gym, staying fit with weight-lifting and running.
Elysia-Marie Branson, Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Elysia-Marie Branson joined the team at White Oak Animal Hospital as an Associate Veterinarian with us in August 2021, with interest in Internal Medicine, Animal Behavior, and Dermatology. Her responsibilities include client education, solving problematic cases, and helping pets and clients with everything from the moment a pet comes into their lives to senior care and more. Dr. Branson has an undergraduate degree in biology and went to the University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine, where she graduated in 2012.
She enjoys arts and crafts with her children, photography, books, and reading in her spare time.
White Oak Animal Hospital
10 Walsh LaneFredericksburg, VA 22405540-374-0462
