Doctors & Staff
Nia M. Perkins, DVM.
Dr. Nia M. Perkins is a native of Chicago, Illinois where most of her family still resides. She received her undergraduate degree from Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana (her second home) and her DVM degree from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in May 2002.
Dr. Perkins came to Alexandria,Virginia right out of veterinary school and has practiced at various clinics in the area. She mainly takes care of dogs, cats, and the occasional pocket pet, but Dr. Vyfhuis is determined to make her more exotics savvy. Although she is not a specialist, Dr. Perkins does have a special interest in skin issues.
In addition to spending time with her four year old son Jourdan and their Japanese Chin, Miles Davis (in the picture), she loves going to the movies, scanning entertainment blogs (her favorite is theybf.com!), and just enjoying friends and family.
Elton Vyfhuis, DVM.
Dr. Vyfhuis’ veterinary career began with a promise from his parents, that he would get a puppy from a family friend. He begged and pleaded for this puppy, and even though his parents never gave in, his favorite aunt did. She asked him to dog-sit her Chow puppy for a few days, and he never let go! She surrendered the pup, but retained visiting rights.
Dr. Vyfhuis started accumulating pets, including an mischievous kitty, an unpredictable dog, a hamster, budgerigar (type of bird), 5 chickens, 2 rabbits, 2 more cats, 9 more dogs and 2 snakes.
Of course, it takes more than a love of animals to become a veterinarian. When faced with the decision of what degree to pursue as a senior at Banneker High School in Washington, D.C., his love of medicine, nature, and the art of science made it a “no-brainer”.
As an undergraduate at University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, in the honors program for animal science, it was the core pre-vet coursework in which he excelled. “Things come a lot easier when you enjoy doing them”. He graduated from from his college a “super senior” in 1997.
Dr. Vyfhuis went to vet school at Tuskegee University in Alabama in 1998. He is grateful that Tuskegee stressed hands-on experience as much as learning medical scientific advances in the veterinary field.
Mavian Noguet
Mavian graduated in 2001 from Villena Revoluccion Veterinary School in Havana, Cuba. Upon graduation, she pursued her lifetime dream of working in Cuba’s most prestigious animal hospital, Carlos Tercero, where she gained invaluable experience in all areas of practice.
In 2003 Mavian came to the U.S. to continue her education, and was fortunate to have the oportunity to work as a volunteer at Adams Morgan Animal Hospital in Washington, DC, where she met Dr. Vyfhuis. Mavian has a 3 year old beagle/american foxhound named Max, a 2 year old cat named Oreo, a 16 year old cat named Tiger, and a 22 year old blue front amazon named Corny.
Heather Collins
Heather graduated in 2006 from Edison High School. In her junior and senior years she took a course in animal science; this is when she ultimately decided that she was interested in an animal-related pathway.
Paul Chene Wilkerson
Chene has been working with animals for over 3 years now. When he isn’t at home playing with his two Labrador retrievers Killian and Raliegh, you might find him playing hockey.
Keith Cunningham
Mr. Cunningham is a native Washingtonian and a graduate of the D.C. Public School System and Burdick Vocational School, School of Barbering. Since childhood, he has displayed a love and fascination for animals. He often brought home stray animals, of all kinds, for refuge in the family’s home. Keith holds some 8 years of veterinary experience ranging from Animal Caretaker to Veterinarian Technician.
Mr. Cunningham resides in Maryland and is the father of a son, Keith, a 16-year old tennis enthusiast.
