BluePearl Pet Hospital
Rockville, MD
Our Vets

Dr. Sidney Bannister is particularly interested in diabetic ketoacidosis, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, BluePearl Pet Hospital, Maitland, FL
• Internship, Small Animal Internal Medicine, VCA Animal Specialty Group, Los Angeles, CA
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Carolina Veterinary Specialists, Charlotte, NC
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, AL
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Dr. Bannister loves to go hiking, especially with her lab/shepherd mix. She also enjoys cooking, from homemade pasta to smoked pulled pork BBQ. She attempts to keep her two cats out of trouble.

Dr. Gal Chivvis is passionate about emergency and critical care medicine. She is skilled in managing complex, high-pressure cases and strives to practice the highest standard of medicine while building genuine connections with clients. Dr. Chivvis values clear communication and collaboration, taking time to educate pet owners and offering practical, compassionate solutions tailored to each family’s needs.

• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Iowa State University, Ames
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, Westfield State College, Westfield MA

When not caring for patients, Dr. Chivvis authors books and educational materials that help bridge the gap between pet owners and veterinary professionals. She enjoys baking, spending time outdoors, traveling and making memories with her husband, children and their three Pomeranians.

Dr. Patricia DeBow’s favorite modality is ultrasound. She enjoys performing any type of ultrasound-guided procedure. Her interests also include vascular studies on all modalities.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Radiology
• Residency, Diagnostic Imaging, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL

Dr. DeBow has one dog, Lumi, who she and her husband share custody of with her mom (who also lives in Rockville). One of her favorite things to do is travel, especially internationally, but any time she can go somewhere new with family or friends, she’s happy! Otherwise, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors and going to shows or concerts. She is a huge foodie and loves trying new restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops.

Publications and articles

Dr. Aria Guarino finds diabetes mellitus and infectious diseases the most gratifying to treat and is especially interested in interventional procedures such as tracheal stents.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
• Residency, Small Animal Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Dogs and Cats Veterinary Referral and Emergency, Bowie, MD
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
• Bachelor of Arts, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Dr. Guarino enjoys singing, musical theatre, opera, mixology, jogging and weightlifting. She lives in Maryland with her husband and their three cats and dog.

Publications & Articles

Dr. Dani LaBonte is a small animal medicine and surgery intern with a particular interest in oncology.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Bachelor of Science, Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience, Zoology and Communication, University of Florida, Gainesville

Outside of the hospital, Dr. LaBonte enjoys spending time with her retired racing greyhound (Boone), bobtail cat (Gertie) and their newest family member, a betta fish.

Dr. Rasmussen understands the importance of multi-modal therapy in cancer treatment for our veterinarian patients, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. She values the relationships and trust built between the family and the pet, especially when navigating a cancer diagnosis.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
• Residency, Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona CA
• Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences & Animal Science, University of Vermont, Burlington

Dr. Rasmussen and her husband have two children. The family pet is a chocolate Lab named Randall. In addition to family time, Dr. Rasmussen enjoys playing golf, yoga, running, music, watching sports, and travel.

Publications & Articles

Dr. Raphael Repellin has a strong passion for all types surgeries. He particularly enjoys soft tissue, oncologic and minimally invasive surgeries, including emergency trauma cases, complex mass removals, open chest surgeries, complex abdominal procedures, laparoscopic procedures and brachycephalic airway surgeries.

Working closely with our other specialty providers, Dr. Repellin strives to create the best surgical plan for each patient, ensuring the highest standards of medical care. His approach includes the use of targeted locoregional nerve blocks and completely hands-free, stress-free diagnostic imaging techniques.

• Residency, Small Animal Surgery, Michigan State University, East Lansing
• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, Michigan State University, East Lansing
• Internship, Small Animal Surgery, MedVet, Cincinnati, OH
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center, CA
• Clinical Rotation, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, St. Kitts & Nevis, West Indies
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of California, Davis

Dr. Repellin enjoys life with his wife, three children, two dogs and a cat. An outdoor enthusiast, he loves hiking, biking, climbing, surfing, skiing and scuba diving. He also has a background in competitive soccer, rugby and tennis.

Publications & Articles

Dr. Abbie Speas values the knowledge she gained while working in an integrated service that included medical, surgical and radiation oncologists. She values client education and working with clients to determine the best treatment plan for each individual pet. Her particular clinical interests include the treatment of histiocytic sarcoma, osteosarcoma and lymphoma.

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
• Residency, Small Animal Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Internship, Small Animal Oncology, University of Georgia, Athens
• Internship, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens
• Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of Georgia, Athens

Dr. Speas has two dogs, Luke and Finnegan, and two cats, Dexter and Elliott. She enjoys an active lifestyle, especially exploring outdoors and attending concerts and festivals.

Dr. Bryan Williams is a small animal medicine & surgery intern particularly interested in diagnostic imaging.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA

Originally from San Diego, Calif., Dr. Williams enjoys spending time with his wife and two cats. He is an avid birder and nature lover.