Meet the Team

Meet Dr. Sarah Kimbrel, a Veterinarian and Partner at Vital Veterinary Care. She's all about making vet visits as positive and stress-free as possible because she deeply believes in the importance of an animal's physical and emotional well-being. Every pet under her care gets the best treatment, no doubt about it! Growing up in a small town in rural Mississippi with five younger brothers, Sarah learned to handle almost anything. She graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and is super passionate about neurology, using ultrasound, treating exotic animals, and educating pet owners. At home, Sarah is the proud mom of a spirited preschooler and four pets: two rescued pit bulls, a cat, and a bearded dragon. Her life is a vibrant mix of family, pets, and veterinary medicine, which she balances with lots of energy and enthusiasm. Dr. Sarah Kimbrel is the kind of vet who her clients and their pets adore because of her dedication and warm approach.

Holly Daugherty is the Managing Partner at Vital Veterinary Care, and she is incredibly passionate about developing leaders, managing businesses, and creating strategies for her team's success. Her big vision is cultivating a workplace where everyone can thrive, which motivates those around her. She's a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) and a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). Plus, she's always striving for personal growth. When she's not leading and managing, Holly is a busy mom to her boys. She's really involved in their sports and community activities, and she's a devoted blood donor and advocate for mental health causes. And, of course, she makes time for herself, too, enjoying yoga, the great outdoors, and diving into a good book. Holly's energetic and skilled approach makes her an amazing leader who genuinely cares about her team and community.

Sara has spent many years in veterinary medicine, but her path into the profession began at a local animal shelter, where her passion for animal welfare quickly took root. It was also where she met her best friend, Gertrude, a bulldog mix who came home with her and became part of the story.

As Sara’s career in veterinary medicine evolved, she developed a particular soft spot for exotic pets, especially small mammals. Her late hamster, Vampira, was also adopted from a local shelter and became a familiar little face around Vital Vet.

Sara’s professional interests extend well beyond patient care. Drawing on experience in performing arts and food service before entering veterinary medicine, she has a talent for bringing creativity, adaptability, and a little humor to the operational chaos that comes with a busy veterinary hospital. She uses those skills to develop engaging training programs and help turn policies, procedures, and professional development into something the team can actually connect with.

Sara completed a Training Expert Certificate through the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association and led Vital Vet’s Fear Free Practice Certification project. She also helps facilitate ongoing professional development for the team through initiatives such as book club, continuing education, and compliance and safety training, somehow managing to make even the least exciting topics more fun.

She is passionate about creating a veterinary workplace where people are encouraged to keep learning, ask questions, and grow in their roles. For Sara, supporting the team behind the medicine is another way of supporting the patients and families they care for.

She is proud to be part of a team committed to bringing thoughtful, collaborative veterinary care to the many kinds of companions that call Hampton Roads home.

Leanne brings more than a decade of veterinary experience to Vital Vet, with a special focus on client service, hospitality, and creating a supportive experience for both pets and the people who love them.

Before entering veterinary medicine, Leanne worked in human healthcare, an experience that helped shape the empathy, communication skills, and calm presence she brings to her role today. She understands that veterinary visits can come with a wide range of emotions, from excitement and relief to worry, uncertainty, and grief, and she works to make every client feel heard, informed, and cared for.

Leanne has specialized training in pet loss support and is especially passionate about helping families navigate difficult moments with compassion and dignity. She also recently earned a Veterinary Receptionist Certificate of Excellence (VRCE) through an online professional development program, reflecting her continued commitment to growing within the veterinary field and strengthening the client experience. She is also a member of the North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, Leanne brings a naturally warm and welcoming approach to her work. She believes great veterinary care begins long before a patient enters an exam room and continues through every conversation, phone call, and interaction along the way.

Outside of Vital Vet, Leanne enjoys spending time with her daughter and her dogs, working in the garden, or settling in with a cup of coffee and a good book.

Dani is a compassionate veterinary assistant with years of experience in animal care. In the veterinary clinic, Dani excels in patient care, client education, and assisting with clinical procedures. Dani also volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator, where she works tirelessly to nurse injured and orphaned animals back to health. Currently, Dani is enrolled in a technician education program. She is committed to raising awareness about local wildlife and promoting coexistence within our community. Outside of work, Dani enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her three children.

Sherry is a dedicated veterinary professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a passion for animal welfare. She is Fear Free certified, ensuring that every interaction with our furry patients is as stress-free as possible. Sherry obtained her Master’s in Laboratory Sciences, further expanding her expertise in veterinary medicine and is currently enrolled in Tidewater Community College Veterinary Technician Program. With a strong commitment to community education, Sherry believes in empowering pet owners through knowledge and compassion. Her goal is to foster a deeper understanding of animal care, enhancing the bond between pets and their families. When she’s not working, Sherry enjoys volunteering in local animal shelters and participating in outreach programs to promote responsible pet ownership.Sherry is excited to be part of our team and looks forward to making a positive impact in the lives of both animals and their owners. 

Sam has been part of veterinary medicine since 2004, bringing more than two decades of experience to her work with patients and their people. She earned her Veterinary Technology degree from San Juan College in 2010 and has continued building her clinical skills throughout her career.

Sam is especially passionate about Fear Free care, client education, and thoughtful veterinary nursing. She believes excellent patient care includes not only what happens medically, but also how a pet experiences their visit and how well their family understands the care being provided.

Her clinical interests include diagnostic imaging, and she holds certifications in both abdominal ultrasound and echo studies. Sam enjoys using those skills to help the veterinary team gather more information, better understand what may be happening with a patient, and guide the next steps in their care.

She also values the relationship between veterinary professionals and pet owners. Whether she is helping a nervous patient feel more comfortable, explaining a treatment plan, or providing hands-on nursing care, Sam approaches each interaction with patience and intention.

Outside of Vital Vet, Sam enjoys spending time with her dogs, settling in with a good book, and caring for her ever-growing collection of plants and garden projects.

Kelsey, LVT, was born in Tennessee and has called several states home along the way. While living in North Carolina, she earned a B.S. in Biology with a specialization in Equine Sciences, along with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. After settling in Virginia, she continued her veterinary education through the Blue Ridge Veterinary Technology program and became a Licensed Veterinary Technician.

Although horses and large animals will always hold a special place in her heart, Kelsey discovered a particular passion for canine and feline dentistry. She enjoys the hands-on, detail-oriented nature of dental care and the difference a healthy, pain-free mouth can make in a pet’s overall well-being.

Kelsey joined Vital Vet to broaden her experience beyond dogs and cats and continue learning about the many species that make up our community of companions. Her curiosity, strong science background, and love of learning make her a natural fit for a practice where no two days, or patients, are quite the same.

At home, Kelsey and her family have a small zoo of their own, including two dogs, two cats, two guinea pigs, and a rabbit. When she isn’t at Vital Vet, you’ll often find her spending time with her son at the barn with the horses, usually keeping an eye out for whatever interesting critters they can discover that day.

Sarah Newland is a Licensed Veterinary Technician at Vital Vet Animal Hospital with a bachelor's in Organismal Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She's passionate about providing Fear Free and compassionate care for all species of pets, as well as advocating for local wildlife and conservation efforts. As a mom of two active littles, she believes in finding every day adventures with her family and reading a good book or writing one. Sarah is an award-winning author of a locally-based young adult fiction series, and while her stories might not always stay in Hampton Roads, they will always feature an animal character (or two).  Sarah holds certifications for both abdominal ultrasound and echo studies. She also lead our practice in becoming CLEAR Blueprint certified in 2026.

Perry, LVT, has been a Licensed Veterinary Technician for more than 10 years, with experience in both specialty and general practice veterinary hospitals. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep commitment to companion animal care and to advocating for the patients who cannot speak for themselves.

For Perry, veterinary medicine is both a responsibility and a privilege. She believes every patient deserves a team willing to pay attention, ask questions, and speak up on their behalf. That same philosophy extends to the people working alongside them.

As her career has grown, Perry has become equally passionate about advocating for Licensed Veterinary Technicians and veterinary support staff. She believes recognition, education, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth are essential to building strong veterinary teams and sustaining careers in the profession.

Perry is especially drawn to the collaborative nature of veterinary medicine and the idea that excellent patient care is rarely the work of one person. She believes the best medicine happens when veterinarians, technicians, assistants, client service professionals, and pet owners work together toward the same goal.

That commitment to patient advocacy, professional growth, and collaborative care makes Perry a natural fit for the Vital Vet team.