LIZ BOLTON, DVM, Medical Director (in office TuWThF)
Dr. Liz Bolton grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and graduated from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007. She spent several years practicing small animal emergency and critical care prior to following her true passion to practice feline only medicine.
Dr. Liz has worked solely as a feline veterinarian since 2013. She has served as both a lead and associate vet at cat hospitals in western Canada and North Carolina. Given Dr. Bolton’s dedication to the provision of top notch care as a certified Cat Friendly Veterinarian, she is elated to make the Cat Hospital of Fairfax her professional home as she believes this practice exemplifies these high standards. Dr. Liz has the greatest respect for Dr. Ellison’s practice of medicine and is honored to have the opportunity to continue in her footsteps of highest quality care.
Dr. Bolton’s interests within feline medicine include geriatrics, dentistry, pain management, and internal medicine. Along these lines, Dr. Bolton has invested in significant continuing education on all the above topics with a focus on feline dentistry as this procedure is our most common surgery for feline patients. Dr. Bolton is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the American and Virginia Veterinary Medical Associations, and the Veterinary Information Network.
Dr. Liz feels a special affinity for the self-defensive (aka “grumpy”) cats and works as their advocate to make the veterinary experience as pleasant and feline friendly as possible. Dr. Bolton’s commitment to highest quality care applies not only to her patients but also to their owners. She is steadfast in her belief that veterinarian and owner must work as a team to provide the happiest and healthiest life possible for the felines entrusted to her care.
When not at work, Dr. Bolton enjoys reading, theater and the arts, volunteering, and traveling. Dr. Liz currently shares her home with two middle aged kitties named Lee and Kara.
JOLENE, Practice Manager
Jolene joined The Cat Hospital of Fairfax team in October 2017. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) and holds a bachelor's degree in community health science and a master's degree in health education. Jolene has worked on research, policy, and practice initiatives in many settings and in collaboration with a variety of local, state, and national organizations; professional associations; and federal agencies. She enjoys learning and teaching, being outside, listening to music, and preparing food with family and friends. Jolene has a handsome, sweet black and white cat named Max.
LAURA, Customer Service Representative
Laura was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and moved to the DMV area in August 2020. She was known as the cat whisperer, with over 12 years of experience as a veterinary nurse at a cat only clinic. She also spent one year at a small animal practice.
Laura has two cats of her own, Caesar and Baby, who made the move with her. In her free time she enjoys karaoke, walks along the Potomac, and spending time with family.
EM, Veterinary Assistant
Em first came to know The Cat Hospital of Fairfax in the 4th grade. After many years of being a client, because of her love for cats, she became an employee.
Later, Em joined the United States Air Force, where she served for 6 years. After two deployments, she was medically retired in 2015.
Since then, she has lived in Istanbul, Turkey where she volunteered her spare time to trapping, neutering, and spaying local feral cats.
Em returned to the U.S. and began her career in veterinary medicine. She is currently studying to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician.
Em has three cats (2 are still located in Istanbul for now) named Cinnamon, Huy Huy, and Pookie. Em truly loves all cats and tends to each cat like her own.
In her spare time, Em enjoys bird watching, hiking, doodling, video games, and watching movies.
RILEY, Clinic Cat Extraordinaire
Hi! My name is Riley and I live at The Cat Hospital of Fairfax. You might see me sun bathing by the front door or in my castle. I love to greet all of our guests when they come to visit!
My employees… oops, I mean friends… take very good care of me. I especially love my morning television shows on the computer. The squirrel and bird shows are nice, but the mice are my favorite. I have a bed or chair in most rooms of the hospital so I can do my rounds supervising the humans.
Since I’m over the age of 9, the docs say I should have an exam and lab work at least every 6 months. Apparently I aced all my tests and am in good health. Sometimes my coworkers treat my arthritis with the soothing Laser Therapy machine, but otherwise I don’t feel like a senior kitty at all. It’s a great life here with so many cat people to give me love!
JANETTE ELLISON, DVM, Founder
After 30 years of dedicated care for our clients and patients, Dr. Ellison retired in 2021.
Dr. E grew up on a cattle farm in southern West Virginia where barn cats and calves were her pets. After ten years of general veterinary practice, she established The Cat Hospital of Fairfax, Inc. in 1991, in order to focus on feline care.
In addition to cats and calves, Dr. Ellison has a passion for football, especially college football. West Virginia University and Purdue University, where she received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, receive her greatest fan loyalty.
KELLY, Veterinary Assistant
Kelly has been a part of the veterinary field since 2020, starting as a receptionist for an urgent care clinic, later moving into the role of Veterinary Assistant for a clinic in D.C. before joining The Cat Hospital of Fairfax Team in 2023.
Prior to her current career, she worked the front office of several professional minor league teams all over the country before returning to her hometown of Fairfax, VA.
A lifelong lover of animals, she is currently pursuing her veterinary technician license through the Penn Foster online program. Kelly enjoys learning and helping educate clients on any and all questions about their fur babies.
In her spare time she loves reading, practicing photography, and analyzing TV shows, movies, and music. She has a sweet but spicy torbie cat named Tammy who runs her household with an iron fist.