Carmela Stamper, DVM

As a kid growing up in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Dr. Stamper was always trying to take care of sick birds and animals in her neighborhood. In 6th grade, when she discovered that you could have a job taking care of animals (thank you, James Herriot), she decided to be a veterinarian. Her veterinary path started at Albion College in 1991, with undergraduate degrees in Biology and Spanish. She then left the land of Michigan Wolverines to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with the Buckeyes of The Ohio State University in 1995. Veterinary degree in-hand, Dr. Stamper spent the next 5 ½ years practicing small and exotic animal medicine at Country Squire Animal Hospital in Toledo, OH, before moving to Maryland with her family. In Maryland, Dr. Stamper practiced at Damascus Animal Hospital and part-time at Brookeville Animal Hospital, while working full-time for the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine as an animal drug reviewer and communications/outreach veterinarian. 

Dr. Stamper enjoys meeting new people and their pets and is passionate about making sure clients have the information they need so they can take good care of their pets. Her interests include preventive medicine, client education, and protecting public health. She has written several articles for the FDA website (www.FDA.gov/Animal-Veterinary) for pet owners about important pet health topics, including xylitol toxicity in dogs; the dangers of cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes, and vape pens to pets; ordering pet medicines online; and potential holiday hazards for pets.   

Outside of work, Dr. Stamper enjoys spending time with her son, being outdoors, birdwatching and gardening, and spending time with her cheeky chocolate lab, Whiskey. She also enjoys playing bagpipes in the MacMillan Dunn Pipe Band at various parades and Celtic festivals in the area.