Oncology

The Oncology department at The Hope Center focuses on the care and treatment of patients diagnosed with cancer. This disease, in addition to it being physically challenging for the pet, it is also a troubling time for the owner. The department relies on the most advanced cancer therapies to treat the patient as well as education to help pet owners understand their pet’s condition and make the most informed decisions possible in line with the wishes of their family.

Our Commitment to our Clients

Compassion for the pet and the owner

Emotional turmoil and feelings of helplessness are common when a pet is diagnosed with cancer. We consider it our duty to make the process as painless as possible. We try to spoil pets and owners alike, and to treat you as a part of our own family.

Information and understanding of the pet’s condition

We believe the best way to combat the feelings of distress is to provide information and understanding. Many clients find it overwhelming to digest the amount of information regarding the diagnosis, potential treatment options and possible side effects. We excel at educating clients so that you may feel empowered and capable of making decisions.

Choices and a variety of treatment options

There are always several different options for treatment. We offer state-of-the-art cancer care, combining traditional methods with cutting edge protocols. Dr. Beck and Dr. McNeill have experience not only with veterinary cancer, but also with several leading human oncology centers and with research for the National Cancer Institute.

Combination and Integration of all available treatments

Treatment recommendations should consider all aspects of the pet’s health, including pain relief, nutrition, and complementary and alternative therapies. Many newer drugs have almost eliminated debilitating side effects and most sources of pain.

Quality of life

This should be the ultimate goal of treatment, especially in pets whose cancer is not curable. By aggressively preventing pain and side effects, we expect our patients to have a higher quality of life than they did prior to diagnosis. We also have many resources available for hospice and end of life decisions

Pet Owner Information

• Cancer – What Owners Need to Know
• Chemotherapy – What Owners Need to Know
• Client Consultation Guidelines

Oncology Staff

Veterinarians

• Dr. Elsa Beck, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (Oncology), Dipl. ACVR (Radiation Oncology)

  
  Dr. Beck joined The Hope Center in 2007 after a prestigious career in the field of Veterinary Oncology. Double-Boarded in Veterinary Oncology and Radiation Therapy, Dr. Beck has worked with a number of academic and private institutions providing her expertise and guidance. Dr. Beck’s major focus has been on developing cutting edge cancer treatments in pets that could be rapidly translated into human treatments. She believes in a multidiscipline approach, combining the best combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other cancer treatments, to provide the best possible care, while avoiding side effects, and making the process as pleasant as possible for pets and their owners.

• Dr. Conor McNeill, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (Oncology)

  
  Dr. Conor McNeill joined The Hope Center in August 2009. He received his veterinary degree from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After moving to the United States, he completed a rotating small animal internship in medicine and surgery at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He remained at the University of Pennsylvania to complete a residency in medical oncology and a fellowship in radiation oncology. Dr. McNeill is currently also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Oncology at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia. Dr. McNeill is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and is board certified in Oncology by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Technicians and Assistants

• Tessa Bowers, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia)

  
  Tessa has been working in the veterinary field since 1992. She completed her degree in veterinary technology in 1996 and has since amassed experience in private practice, surgery, emergency medicine and, now, oncology. Tessa has always had an interest in anesthesia and pain management and became a certified anesthesia technician in 2008. She also keeps up to date on new and successful nutritional and alternative therapies for her patients.

  Tessa has been married since 1998 and has numerous pets: Guenevere (Chocolate Lab), Abby (Pointer Mix), and Merlot (Maine Coon).

  She is a member of: Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS), International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM), Virginia Association of Licensed Veterinary Technicians (VALVT), Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists (AVTA.)

• Lisa Scott, LVT

  
  Lisa has been working in Veterinary Medicine since 1998 in various fields. She graduated cum laude in the Veterinary Technology program at NVCC in 2002 and completed her Bachelors of Science in Biology at George Mason University in 2009. She joined The Hope Center in 2004 working in the Emergency and Critical Care department and was quickly promoted to Lead Technician for the overnight shift. In 2010, a new and exciting challenge arose within the Oncology department that allowed her to become the Lead Technician for Dr. McNeill. She looks forward to providing your pets with the same compassion and dedication as if they were her own.

  She was married on the white sands of Aruba in 2009 and lives happily with her husband and their 3 pets: Gabriel (drama queen), Kristy (cuddly food vacuum), and Monte Cristo (Chesapeake Bay Retriever who saved a drowning boys life in OBX.)

  She is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS.)

• Claire McGillicuddy, LVT

  
  Claire graduated from the University of San Diego in 2003 as an English major/Anthropology minor. After coming to the east coast, she enrolled in the veterinary technician program at NVCC and graduated in 2010. During the program, she completed an internship at The Hope Center where she developed an interest in Oncology. She worked for an area oncology practice before returning to The Hope Center in January 2011. Claire is a Licensed Veterinary Technician.

  Claire has 2 dogs, Mugsy (Black Lab Mix) and Gunnar (Yellow English Lab) and enjoys outdoor activities such as riding horses.

• Phillip Sullivan, LVT

  
  Phillip, an Alexandria native, has been with the Hope Center since June of 2009 in the emergency department. He served as relief staff until accepting a full time postion in the oncology department in June 2011. Phillip has been in the veterinary field for 7 years. He graduated from Northern Virginia Community College in 2008 with an AAS in Veterinary Technology, magna cum laude. He then went on to persue his bachelor’s degree at George Mason University graduating in 2011 with a BS in Biology. Phillip has two dogs; a border collie named “Sandi” and a pomeranian named “Scooter”.

• Alix Badley

Front Desk

• Michael Norris

  
  Michael has worked in the vet field since 1997 in numerous positions from kennel help to tech to manager to reception. She has been at Hope since 2004.

  She is the proud owner of 2 rescued Chinese Crested’s and 2 cats, who were also rescued. Michael has fostered numerous types of infant wildlife including foxes, raccoons, kittens and squirrels. She enjoys collecting all things Disney, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

• Stephanie Ellis

  
  Stephanie has been a receptionist in the emergency department since 2002 and recently began working for Oncology. While she has been in the veterinary field since 1985, she is also pursuing degrees in accounting and business management. She is currently a member of the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society, including the ACS Relay for Life team “Paws for a Cure”. Stephanie spends her free time with her Bichons Leo and Rocko.