Intern Class 2011–2012

Leslie Takesaka, DVM

I was born in California but grew up mostly in upstate New York. Growing up, I always loved animals and knew I wanted to help them in some way. As I grew older, I read all of James Herriott’s books, worked in a kennel (Waggin’Master Boarding Kennel) and shadowed my own dogs’ vet (Oswego Veterinary Hospital), with the end result being that veterinary medicine really felt like the right path for me. I attended Tufts University in Massachusetts for undergrad before taking a year off to work as a vet nurse at Angell Animal Medical Center. I then went to veterinary school at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. During my time there, I spent a summer doing a research project in Kathmandu, Nepal (Population census and public perception of Rhesus macaques).

Long-term, I hope to do general practice because I like the idea of building a rapport with my patients, but I also hope to work with low-income clinics both locally and abroad. Outside of work, I like to read, dance, play piano, cook (and eat!) and spend time with my friends and family, including my furry friends Franklin and Toby. I am very excited to come to Washington, DC for my internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals!

Cordo Carraher, DVM

I grew up in Connecticut with many pets, including: dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and fish. I began taking horseback riding lessons at a farm next door when I was six years old. As a child I always wanted to be a veterinarian; however, in high school and college I chose to pursue other interests. I graduated from Georgetown University with BA in History and minors in Biology and Psychology. I was a captain of the varsity sailing team at Georgetown and spent a semester abroad in Auckland, New Zealand. Eventually my path led back to veterinary medicine. I attended Ross University College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies and completed my clinical year at Iowa State University.

I enjoy spending time outdoors with my dog and two horses, sailing, catching up with family and friends, and attending Georgetown basketball games. I am thrilled to be back in the DC area after several years away for vet school! After my internship, I plan to continue to expand my veterinary knowledge in general practice.

Liza Nusinovich, DVM

I was born in Moscow, Russia and my family moved to the DC area when I was 6 years old. Even at that young age, I already knew I wanted to become a veterinarian. I spent most of my childhood going to ballet classes and piano lessons, but my favorite activity was riding and taking care of horses at the barn on weekends! I earned an undergraduate degree in animal science with a minor in piano performance from the University of Maryland, College Park. I then headed to Columbus, Ohio to attend veterinary school at the Ohio State University where I also acquired Percy, a retired racing greyhound from Florida. Over the years, I worked at numerous veterinary hospitals, volunteered at various animal shelters including a "galgo" (greyhound) rescue in Spain, did an internship in wildlife rehabilitation, and completed a research project at NIH. The more time I spent investigating the profession, the more I came to love it!

While I enjoy many aspects of veterinary medicine, I am most interested in general practice, emergency medicine, and oncology. In my free time, I am usually catching up with my family and friends. I also love traveling and going on vacations! I am very excited to be back in the DC area and feel so lucky to be spending my first year as a veterinarian at Friendship!

Mara Schultz, DVM

I grew up in Boca Raton, FL and lived there in the same house all my life. I finally left Florida for North Carolina when I went to Duke University for undergraduate studies. I graduated with a major in psychology (developmental emphasis), a minor in biology, and a lifelong devotion to Duke basketball. I spent my first year of veterinary school at Ross University on St. Kitts in the Caribbean, and then transferred to the University of Georgia, where I developed a love of football as well.

After graduation, I moved to Maryland with my two great loves, Lola and Zoey. Lola is a 5-year-old miniature dachshund who is a born-and-bred Blue Devil, while Zoey is a 2-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi whose alliance lies with the UGA Bulldogs. Their favorite activities are going for rides in the car and ripping all the stuffing out of as many toys as I buy!

In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, reading, taking vacations, and cooking. I particularly love to bake, and am always looking for great new recipes!

I have been telling my parents since I was 5 years old that all I wanted to be was a veterinarian, and I am here at Friendship to help expand my knowledge and clinical experience. I have particular interest in general practice, neurology, animal behavior, and alternative medicine.

Barbara Rose, DVM

A lop-eared rabbit named Molly convinced me into the field of Veterinary Medicine. She was a true companion for me my first year away from home at college. I learned what the human animal bond could provide and wanted to spend my life nurturing that bond in whatever way I could. After working at a vet hospital in my home town I felt that veterinarians provided care to not only animals but to their human counterparts and I loved that idea.

I am originally from Colorado Springs, CO and someday hope to end up back there. I attended vet school at Washington State University in Pullman, WA before venturing out here to Washington DC to experience the other coast.

I have a passion for traveling and have spent a great deal of time in Costa Rica. I hope to visit again soon as a vet and work with organizations that provide low cost spay and neuter programs for locals. I am also an avid hiker when I find the time. I have ascended a handful of “14-ers” in Colorado which are hikes with the peak at an elevation of 14,000 feet above sea level or higher. My dog faith is a great hiking companion though she thinks I just slow her down!