Kathleen Gruss (Retired), DVM

Born loving animals, Dr. Kathi Gruss, our Co-Chief of Staff, grew up in a US Navy family with many small pets including a parakeet, turtles, and cats. She had to wait until her dad retired from the Navy to get her first dog, a beloved toy poodle named Mitzi.

Dr. Kathi attended Virginia Tech before transferring to the Ohio State University (OSU) where she earned a BS degree in Agriculture and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.

She and her husband, Dr. John Gruss, moved to Earlysville and started Earlysville Animal Hospital in 1982 in a 1,000 square foot building. Their goals have not changed since then. They strive to give pets excellent veterinary care while treating their patients and clients like treasured friends.

Dr. Kathi completed Fear Free certification in 2016. Earlysville Animal Hospital has always tried to lower their patient’s fear, anxiety, and stress. She learned new ways to accomplish this through the Fear Free program. Her professional memberships include: the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), the Jefferson Area Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association (VVMA), the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, and the veterinary honor society, Phi Zeta.

When not caring for pets at the hospital, Dr. Kathi enjoys spending time with her husband, their two adult children, and their grandson as well as traveling with family. She also enjoys riding her dressage horse, Nathan.