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Our Careteam

Your pet’s emotional and physical well-being is prioritized with every visit. We put the patients first!

Michael

Michael

Practice Manager

Michael has always held a deep affinity for our animal companions, especially cats. When he reached a point in his life and career that allowed him to pursue less lucrative but more satisfying work, he made a decision: why not improve the lives of others by working hands-on with pets? Now, Michael is pleased to serve as Brentwood Animal Hospital’s General Manager.

Michael is originally from California but spent most of his formative years growing up on the East Coast. After finishing his undergraduate studies he completed his advanced degree work overseas before returning to the United States and taking a job managing sales at an international electronics supplier based in Georgetown. Next, he took a few years off and worked as a salesman before deciding to jump headfirst into the world of veterinary medicine.

After a few years spent caring for pets at a general practitioner’s office, Michael moved to a cats-only hospital and then to a surgical specialty provider, further expanding his knowledge and experience within the world of animal care. He then joined the Brentwood Animal Hospital team, and has now worked alongside Dr. Manzoor and the hospital team for the better part of 20 years.

At home, Michael and his wife, Sandy—a decorated Navy veteran who provided direct support for actions in the Middle East, Northern Africa, Eastern Europe and the Western Pacific just to name a few—share their lives with several cats, all of whom are former strays or ferals who have been nursed back to health and socialized by the couple. When he isn’t spending time with his own pets or caring for the area’s companions here at the hospital, Michael is an avid sailor, and spent many happy years at the helm of his 26-foot sloop, Rouge. Sandy rarely passes up an opportunity to tease Michael about his boat-handling skills; after all, she’s skippered the 500-ton frigate, HMS Surprise, back when it was known as the HMS Rose!

Ayieta

Ayieta

Customer Experience Manager

Ayieta grew up with her parents and brother in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where she always enjoyed the company of the family pets. She’s always suspected that a job spent bettering the lives of animals every day would suit her well. As the Customer Experience Manager here at Brentwood Animal Hospital, Ayieta gets to do that alongside a team of animal-lovers just like herself! 

Before becoming a member of the veterinary profession, Ayieta spent more than 20 years in the HR and personnel development fields. She became very interested in transferring those skills into an environment she would truly adore: animal medicine. In December of 2019, she joined the team at another local animal clinic but transferred here to Brentwood Animal Hospital a short time later for a more stable schedule and better growth opportunities. Ayieta has been a member of the clinic family ever since! She especially loves interacting one-on-one with pet owners and their companions, and she likes managing her staff and contributing to their personal growth and development. 

Ayieta’s interests outside of work include traveling—her recent trip to Morocco was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!—and creating skin and hair-care products. She even runs a small company to sell her wares! Ayieta also loves to spend quality time with her family and pets. She and her husband, Landon, have a daughter named Shevon and a son, Melik, who works alongside his mom here at the hospital. The family shares their home with five loveable cats: Makeba, who is very shy until she sees food; Zora Lena, who loves people but hates other cats; a Tuxedo cat named JB; a beautiful Siamese named King T’challa; and the mischievous Cleo.

Melik

Melik

Veterinary Technician

Melik is a pet owner himself. He knows how he would like his own animal companions treated, and that’s why he makes it his mission to give each and every visitor to the clinic that same level of respect and quality care. Melik is a proud member of Brentwood Animal Hospital’s Veterinary Technician team!

Melik first heard about an opening here at the hospital through a family member. He started working at the front desk, and then decided that he’d like to do more hands-on work to better the lives of pets. Now, he’s a Veterinary Technician! One of Melik’s favorite parts of his job is engaging with the pet owner and their animal companion before the appointment starts—he loves to get an understanding of the problem so that he can make a difference when it counts. He’s also fond of post-operative care.

When he’s not at work, Melik loves to make music, and he’s even performed sold-out shows opening for well-known artists. He has several pets at home, including his cat, Zora, who is the most intelligent feline Melik has ever known.

Damon

Damon

Veterinary Technician

Damon was only a young boy when he first started developing an interest in animals. He always wanted to learn more about not only domesticated pets, but exotic creatures and wildlife as well. Now that he’s a veterinary professional, he especially loves sharing that knowledge with others! Damon is a member of the Veterinary Technician team here at Brentwood Animal Hospital.

A native of southern Maryland, Damon began working for a small doggy daycare facility in 2012, where he would remain for the next eight years. In 2020, he decided to make a change and knew that he wanted to get into the hands-on medical care of animals. That’s when he joined the Brentwood Animal Hospital family—Damon couldn’t be happier with his choice. He loves helping pet owners to better understand their companions’ healthcare needs, and he’s also fond of doting on puppies and kittens whenever they visit the hospital. 

Damon’s interests away from animal medicine include writing and music, and he hopes to explore the world of visual art soon. He lives with two loveable cats at home, Marble and Phoebe, who are polar opposites but remain the very best of friends.

Rachel

Rachel

Veterinary Technician /  Relief Receptionist

Bio Coming Soon!

Sonia

Sonia

Receptionist

Sonia can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to work with animals. She’s had a lifelong dream of working in the veterinary profession! Now, Sonia gets to use her passion to better the lives of not only pets, but their loving owners as well. She’s proud to serve as a member of Brentwood Animal Hospital’s front-desk team.

Sonia joined the clinic team in July of 2020. Her favorite part of the job is seeing new pet owners on a daily basis, and she especially loves to pass on her knowledge in order to make a difference in the well-being of a pet.

At home, Sonia has two wonderful dogs of her own, Lucas and Luna.

“One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home.”

 – Pam Brown