Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Valeria Rickard, the practice owner at North Oatlands Animal Hospital & Reproduction Center and Dominion Valley Animal Hospital is a Virginia Tech Veterinary School graduate. She has been practicing small animal veterinary medicine and surgery in the Northern Virginia area since 2001. In 2005, she realized her dream and opened her own state-of-the-art practice in Haymarket. With her husband John, Dr. Rickard has designed and built a facility large enough to serve the needs of all their companion animal clients while retaining the feel of personalized service.

Being involved with the Haymarket community and seeing the need for a family-oriented practice, she opened a second, “satellite” facility under the name Dominion Valley Animal Hospital in 2012.Dr Rickard enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, from routine wellness visits and dentistry to complicated medical cases. She loves performing surgeries and has developed a special interest in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.

In addition to her excellent skills in feline and canine medicine and surgery, Dr. Rickard is well known for her special interest and expertise in canine reproduction and pediatrics. Her vast clientele is drawn from across the entire United States and Alaska, and includes numerous international clients from as far as Europe and South America. The local airport has more than once been the recipient of private planes bringing their beloved pets to visit with Dr. Rickard and reap the benefits of her extensive knowledge, expertise, and attention to detail.

Dr. Rickard offers seminars and symposiums in the latest advances in canine reproduction and pediatrics to local, national, and international organizations, schools, and kennel clubs. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American and European Reproduction Societies, and local and national kennel clubs. Dr. Rickard was born in Moscow, Russia and attributes her deep love of animals to her first Airedale “Toybritt” with whom she did agility, conformation, and Shutzhund training.

Beyond her veterinary career Dr. Rickards love for animals extends to her champion Airedale & Brussels Griffon Terriers, which she has been breeding and exhibiting for over 3 decades. She likes showing her dogs in conformation events and has titled numerous dogs to their championship titles. Her most notable wins include Westminster Kennel Club and National Specialties in the United States, as well as Crufts and the World Dog Show internationally. Dr. Rickard enjoys her time at home with her husband John and daughter Olivia. In college on full scholarship, Dr. Rickard played Division I tennis and continues to play in her “spare time”. Her additional interests include gardening, photography, scuba diving and traveling.

Dr. Grace Snyder graduated in June 2023 from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. 

She holds a strong passion for feline medicine, wellness/preventative care, and dermatology. Dr. Snyder grew up in Front Royal, VA, and pursued her undergraduate and veterinary education in Saskatoon, SK, Canada (she holds dual citizenship in Canada and the US).

In her personal life, Dr. Snyder enjoys hiking, camping, and reading. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast who finds solace in nature. Her beloved companion is a domestic short-haired (DSH) tabby cat named Bucky, whom she cherishes deeply!

During her free time, Dr. Snyder indulges in activities such as biking, reading books, and spending quality time with her family. Recently, she has taken up ballroom dancing as a new endeavor, finding joy in learning new forms of expression.

Building long-lasting relationships with clients and their beloved pets is what Dr. Snyder finds most exciting about being a veterinarian. She believes in providing compassionate care while ensuring the overall well-being of her patients.

Throughout her veterinary school journey, Dr. Snyder actively volunteered with shelters and discovered a profound fulfillment in fostering kittens. This experience further solidified her dedication to animal welfare and inspired her to make a positive impact in the lives of animals in need.

Dr. Snyder is thrilled to embark on her professional journey as a veterinarian at North Oatlands Animal Hospital (NOAH) and looks forward to serving our community with utmost dedication and compassion.