Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Animal Clinic of Clifton in Clifton, VA! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets.
Please call us at 703-802-0490 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members.
Welcome to the Animal Clinic of Clifton.
In July of 2011, I reopened the Animal Clinic of Clifton, with the goal of providing compassionate and individual care to the dogs and cats of Clifton, Fairfax Station, Fairfax and surrounding areas. If you and your pet haven’t had the opportunity to visit the Animal Clinic of Clifton, you will be happy to see it’s new appearance, updated medical equipment and expanded hours. I grew up in Northern Virginia, graduated from Princeton University in 1991, and attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1996. After graduating from vet school, I moved to Boston and completed a surgery and medicine internship at South Shore Animal Hospital, a large specialty clinic. I returned to the area in 1997 and accepted a veterinary position at Burke Animal Clinic. Most recently, I also practiced at Companion Animal Clinic in Fairfax Station. I am married, and my husband Robert and I live in Fairfax Station with our crazy cat Dumbles. I hope you will find your way to the Animal Clinic of Clifton and its small town feeling and personalized care. I look forward to meeting you and your pets in the near future and to being part of the Clifton community. I welcome both returning clients and their pets, as well as new patients.
Sincerely, Dr. Ylva Bostrom (Ylva Bostrom Ihrig)
Dr. Ihrig has worked as a veterinarian in Northern Virginia since graduating with honors from the Virginia-Maryland School of Veterinary Medicine (Virginia Tech’s Vet School) in 1985. He began his “career” as a veterinary assistant in 1979 at Burke Animal Clinic and returned there upon graduating veterinary school. In 1991 he was offered and accepted a position as a managing partner at the practice. After 30 years of caring for pets at Burke Animal Clinic, Dr. Ihrig ventured on and later joined his wife, Dr. Ylva Bostrom here at the Animal Clinic of Clifton. He’s no longer the “boss” (his wife is and he’s been told that’s the way it should be anyways……) and he enjoys that change. His fondest medical interests are skin and ear problems of the dog and cat, Veterinary Dermatology. He also enjoys working on old cars and old houses. Dr. Ihrig is our primary handyman at the clinic and is often working on multiple projects to maintain the upkeep of our 1890’s “Historic Building” here in the town of Clifton, Va. Dr. Ihrig also enjoys spending time away from the clinic with his cat, Dumbles.
I have been interested in animals most of my life. I am originally from Illinois, and my passion for animals and helping others lead to work in the veterinary field in 2005 as a receptionist and veterinary assistant. I have been working at the Animal Clinic of Clifton since its re-opening in 2011, having had the opportunity of previously working with Dr. Bostrom and Dr. Ihrig. When not at the clinic, I spend time with my husband, Rich, or at the barn with my horse. My other interests include outdoor experiences, gardening, hiking, baking and puttering about in general alone or with friends and family. (Diane is also the clinic gardener and keeps it looking beautiful!)
I have always known I wanted to work with animals. I was raised in Northern Virginia until I went to college at the University of Delaware to study Applied Molecular Biology and Biotechnology as well as Animal Science. I then went to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to earn my Master of Health Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology before returning back to Northern Virginia. I absolutely love having the opportunity to work with animals every day, as my goal is to attend veterinary school in the near future. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my own cats and dogs, skating at the ice rink, and spending time outdoors.
After working a string of retail jobs, I joined Animal Clinic of Clifton in 2015 and found a career. I decided to return to school in 2018 to obtain a degree in Veterinary Technology. In January 2021, completed my internship with the wonderful folks at Blueridge Wildlife Center, learning so much about our native wildlife, how to care for them, and learning how to coexist. In May 2021, I graduated Cum Laude with an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology from Northern Virginia Community College. The following July I passed the Virginia board exam to become a fully licensed Veterinary Technician. In my spare time I’m usually just relaxing at home, researching family genealogy, or spending time with my husky mix, Maeve. I look forward to working with you to help your pet live their best life.
I was raised in the Fairfax area and have always been interested in helping animals. My love for animals started out with cutting my cats nails when I was a kid to house sitting for your pets and training dogs! When I’m not at work you can find me most likely outside with my golden doodle Finn!
