Staff Role: Veterinarian - ER

Alison L. Parker, DVM

Dr. Alison Parker is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. Originally from the small town of Parishville, NY, on the northern edge of the Adirondack Park, Dr. Parker brings a strong academic foundation and a deep passion for veterinary medicine. She completed her undergraduate studies at Clarkson University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a minor in cognitive neuroscience—an area of study that first sparked her interest in veterinary neurology. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University in 2025.

Dr. Parker’s clinical interests include neurology, and she is excited to continue building her skills in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. She is especially drawn to the relationships she forms with both patients and their families, which she considers the most rewarding part of being a veterinarian. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Parker is an avid baseball fan (especially the Mets) and is on a mission to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums – she’s currently at six and counting! She also enjoys a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, including crochet, baking, karaoke, hiking, kayaking, and visiting local breweries.

Special Interests:

• Neurology

Abigail Martinson, DVM

Dr. Abigail Martinson is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Dr. Martinson earned both her undergraduate and veterinary degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2021 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2025. She has strong clinical interests in exotic animal medicine and expanding access to veterinary care for all pet owners. Her scholarly work includes presenting a research project titled “Retrospective Evaluation of Corynebacterium Infections in Guinea Pigs” at the 2024 Joint Conference of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) and the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) in New Orleans.

A proud member of AEMV, WVMA, and AVMA, Dr. Martinson is passionate about combining client education with compassionate care to help families give their pets the best quality of life. Veterinary medicine has always been a dream of hers, solidified by the experience of adopting her first dog, Moose, at age eight. Today, she shares her life with her partner’s red golden retriever, Mars – who she’s happily claimed as her own. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Martinson enjoys lifting and running at the gym, hiking, reading murder mysteries and thrillers, and cheering on her favorite NFL team, the Green Bay Packers.

Special Interests:

• Exotic animal medicine

Kristina Kaleel, DVM, MPS

Dr. Kristina Kaleel is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. Originally from Boynton Beach, Florida, Dr. Kaleel brings a strong academic and professional foundation in marine and aquatic animal science. She earned her undergraduate degree in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Miami in 2017, followed by a Master of Professional Science in Marine Mammal Science in 2018 and her degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. She has a special interest in aquatic animal medicine, wildlife, zoological and conservation medicine, and radiology.

Dr. Kaleel is Fear Free Certified and holds professional affiliations with the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM), the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA), the American Association of Fish Veterinarians (AAFV), and the AVMA. Her research has been featured in peer-reviewed publications, including a first-author paper on sea turtle fecal collection techniques, and she presented at the 2024 IAAAM conference. A certified PADI Divemaster, Dr. Kaleel is happiest when immersed in nature – whether SCUBA diving, paddleboarding, hiking, or camping. She is driven by a love for the diversity of veterinary medicine and its ability to improve the lives of both individual animals and entire species. Dr. Kaleel is thrilled to be part of the Pieper team and looks forward to a year of learning, growth, and collaboration.

Special Interests:

• Aquatic animal medicine
• Zoo & Wildlife medicine
• Radiology

Ellie Handberg, DVM

Dr. Ellie Handberg, is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. Originally from Central Florida, Dr. Handberg earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Florida in 2021. She continued her veterinary education at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2025. Her clinical interests include zoological medicine as well as anesthesia and analgesia, with a focus on providing focused, individualized care across a variety of species. She is a member of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).

Dr. Handberg discovered her love for exotic and zoo species during an impactful internship as a zookeeper, which showed that zoological medicine could offer the same rewarding, long-term bonds with animals and caregivers as general practice, while also allowing her to contribute to the evolving understanding of lesser-studied species. What she loves most about being a veterinarian is working closely with pet owners to support their animals’ health and fostering meaningful relationships over time.

Special Interests:

• Zoo animal medicine
• Anesthesia and analgesia

Kahlia Gonzales, DVM

Dr. Kahlia Gonzales is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. A native of Wallingford, CT, Dr. Gonzales earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 2021, where she conducted research on bottlenose dolphin populations. She went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2025, completing additional training in poultry, zoological, and shelter medicine.

Her clinical passions lie in the care of exotic and aquatic animals, and she brings a experience in these areas including the Aquatic Animal Medicine and Shelter Medicine Professional Certificate programs, as well as SeaVet Clinical Training. Dr. Gonzales is an active member of the World Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Association, the American Association of Fish Veterinarians, and the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. Her scholarly contributions have been professionally recognized, including a Best Student Presenter Award at the 2019 World Marine Mammal Conference for her presentation on dolphin calf survivorship in Panama.

Dr. Gonzales is driven by a lifelong love of medicine and a deep compassion for both animals and their caregivers, especially when working with exotic species. Outside the hospital, she enjoys cooking, painting, pottery, and spending time with her fiancé exploring nature, trying new restaurants, and perfecting her sourdough technique. She shares her home with several beloved pets, including three snakes – Persephone, Marble, and Worm – and a chinchilla named Minccino.

Special Interests:

• Exotic animal medicine
• Aquatic animal medicine

Reiss Gidner, DVM

Dr. Reiss Gidner is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. Originally from Arlington, VA, Dr. Gidner holds dual undergraduate degrees from Virginia Tech: a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance. She went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 2025, where she was deeply involved in student leadership as president of the Cornell chapter of the Student AVMA and served on the national SAVMA executive board. Her clinical passions lie in zoo and wildlife medicine and surgery, including experience working with African penguins at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) in Cape Town, South Africa.

Fear Free Certified and enthusiastic about multi-species medicine, Dr. Gidner finds fulfillment in problem-solving across diverse clinical cases and supporting both animals and their human companions. Outside the hospital, she blends her medical career with a lifelong love for the performing arts. While at Cornell, she revived the Cornell Vet Players, a student theatre group, organizing comedy shows and talent performances. She also enjoys singing and remains passionate about the arts. Dr. Gidner shares her home with two beloved cats: Juniper, who joined her during vet school, and Poppy, a rescue whose rare medical case was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Special Interests:

• Zoo & Wildlife medicine
• Surgery

Faith Edwin, DVM, MS

Dr. Faith Edwin is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. A native of Hamilton, New Jersey, and a proud first-generation American with family roots in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Edwin holds both a Bachelor of Science in Biology (2020) and a Master of Science in Biotechnology (2021) from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University, where she was honored with the Gentle Doctor Award for her exemplary compassion and dedication to patient care. Her clinical interests span zoo and wildlife medicine, conservation, end-of-life care, and veterinary education.

Dr. Edwin is passionate about making a global impact through her work with animals and views veterinary medicine as a lifelong learning journey. She deeply values her ability to build meaningful connections with communities by providing thoughtful, empathetic care to both patients and their people. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys wildlife photography, collecting houseplants, traveling, and exploring the outdoors. Her greatest joy is spending time with her family and her beloved cats, and finding more opportunities for learning and education.

Special Interests:

• Zoo & Wildlife medicine

Genevieve Casse, DVM

Dr. Genevieve Casse is a Rotating Intern who joined Pieper Veterinary in June 2025 as part of the new intern class. Originally from the Hudson Valley town of Pearl River, Dr. Casse earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Stony Brook University before pursuing her veterinary degree at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Alongside her scientific training, she also explored her creative side through the study of studio art. Her clinical interests include emergency and critical care, surgery, and end-of-life care, and she is deeply committed to supporting both pets and their families during all stages of life.

Dr. Casse is a CAETA-certified Peaceful Euthanasia Veterinary Professional and is currently completing the Veterinary Human Support Certificate Program through the University of Tennessee. She is a member of the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) and the International Association of Veterinary Social Work (IAVSW), with a true dedication to providing compassionate, client-centered care. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, video games, and serving as a dungeon master for her Dungeons & Dragons group. A lover of travel and storytelling, she once completed a 30-day road trip across the U.S. and is a devoted fan of The Lord of the Rings. She currently shares her home with her cat Marzipan. Dr. Casse has always held a deep love for animals starting with her childhood pet, a miniature poodle named Gabby. She finds the greatest fulfillment in helping clients feel supported during both joyful and challenging moments in their pets’ lives, and getting to know them and their pets’ stories.

Special Interests:

• Emergency medicine
• Critical care
• Surgery
• End-of-life care

Olivia Biluck, BVetMed, MRCVS

Dr. Olivia Biluck is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Biluck earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from The College of New Jersey in 2020 before completing her veterinary degree at the prestigious Royal Veterinary College in London in 2025. With a strong clinical focus in emergency medicine, she also holds a special interest in behavioral medicine and Fear-Free handling techniques. During her time in veterinary school, she had the honor of presenting her research at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) conference, further highlighting her commitment to advancing clinical knowledge and compassionate care.

Prior to vet school, Dr. Biluck worked as a veterinary technician in emergency and ICU for five years – an experience that solidified her passion for critical care and shaped her empathetic, client-focused approach. She’s passionate about educating and guiding pet owners through stressful situations, striving for the best possible outcomes for both patients and their families. Outside of work, she enjoys thrifting and caring for her lively crew of pets: Skye the dog, Maple the cat, a chinchilla, and a group of snakes including two ball pythons, a carpet python, and a western hognose.

Special Interests:

• Emergency medicine
• Behavior medicine
• Fear-Free handling