Staff Role: Veterinarian - Specialist
Veterinarian - Specialist
Samantha Monck, DVM, Practice Limited to Surgery
Dr. Samantha Monck is a Veterinary Surgeon at Pieper Veterinary, practicing with a focus on small animal surgery. She joined the Pieper team in September 2025. Originally from Orange, Connecticut, Dr. Monck brings advanced surgical training and a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to every case.
Dr. Monck earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 2015 before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Colorado State University in 2019. She went on to complete a small animal surgery internship from 2021 to 2022, followed by a small animal surgery residency from 2022 to 2025 at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her additional training includes advanced coursework in arthroscopy, minimally invasive surgery, and fracture management.
Outside of work, Dr. Monck enjoys spending time outdoors with her fiancé, Elliot, especially running, biking, kayaking, and hiking. She shares her home with two pets: Lucy, an 8-year-old female gray tabby cat, and Murph, a 5-month-old male Pointer/Hound mix who keeps her on her toes.
Special Interests:
- Gastrointestinal, thoracic, and laparoscopic surgery
- Intracorporeal gastropexy
Veterinarian - Specialist
Brigid Lemburg, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Brigid Lemburg is a board-certified Criticalist at Pieper Veterinary. She joined the team in September 2025 and brings advanced training and a deep commitment to caring for critically ill patients. Originally from Iowa, Dr. Lemburg is passionate about helping patients recover through the most challenging moments of illness and injury.
Dr. Lemburg earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Iowa in 2016 before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Iowa State University in 2020. She went on to complete an internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin from 2020 to 2024, achieving board certification in veterinary emergency and critical care.
Dr. Lemburg finds the greatest fulfillment in seeing critical care patients recover and watching their personalities and joy return. Outside of work, she shares her home with her cat, Stanley, whom she proudly describes as the most perfect thing ever.
Special Interests:
- Management of polytrauma
- Sepsis
Veterinarian- Specialist
Zachary Stillman, DVM
Dr. Zachary Stillman is a Veterinarian practicing Emergency and Critical Care at Pieper Veterinary. He joined the team in September 2025 after completing a small animal rotating internship at Pieper Memorial. Originally from the Hudson Valley region of New York, Dr. Stillman brings a strong foundation in emergency medicine and a compassionate, thoughtful approach to patient care.
Dr. Stillman earned his Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology from Mercy College in 2016 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University in 2021. He went on to complete a residency in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at Pieper Memorial from 2022 to 2025. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS).
Dr. Stillman lives in Rhode Island with his partner, Cilicia, and their chihuahua, Pancho. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and hiking.
Special Interests:
- Trauma management
- Ultrasonography
- Hospice and palliative care
| Full name and credentials as you would like them on the site: | Zachary Stillman, DVM |
|---|---|
| Official job title: | Veterinarian, Practice Limited to Emergency and Critical Care |
| When did you begin working at Pieper?: | September 2025 |
| Where you are originally from: | Hudson Valley region of New York |
| College(s) attended and year graduated (NOT REQUIRED FOR NON-DOCTORS): | Bachelors degree in Veterinary Technology, Mercy College 2016 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University 2021 Small Animal Rotating Internship at Pieper Memorial |
| Subjects you studied in addition to veterinary courses: | |
| Residency Information: | Residency in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care 2022-2025 |
| Other schooling information: | |
| Clinical/Special Interests: | Trauma Management Ultrasonography Hospice/palliative care |
| Special accomplishments in field: | |
| Professional affiliations: | AVMA VECCS |
| Non-medical affiliations: | |
| Family/personal info you’d like to share: | Living in Rhode Island with my partner Cilicia and our dog Pancho |
| Your pets: | Geriatric epileptic chihuahua named Pancho |
| Interesting background or hobbies: | Reading Video games Hiking |
Veterinarian - Specialist
Michael Hitt, DVM
Dr. Michael Hitt is a Surgery Resident who has been with Pieper Veterinary starting in the summer of 2021. Originally from Albany, NY, Dr. Hitt graduated from the College of Saint Rose with a Bachelors of Science in Biology, and obtained his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University in 2020. He completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine at Cornell University and an internship in small animal surgery at Pieper Veterinary. He has clinical interests in emergency surgery and fracture repairs and management.
During veterinary school Dr. Hitt adopted his husky mix “Thatcher,” who has been by his side through all of his subsequent training and education. When not at work, he enjoys snowboarding, jet skiing, working on his car, and spending time with Thatcher.
Special Interests:
- Emergency surgery
- Fracture repair and management
Veterinarian - Specialist
Ariane Jay, DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Small Animal
Dr. Ariane R. Jay has been a Veterinary Surgeon with Pieper Veterinary since 2014 and specializes in a variety of surgeries, including head and neck, minimally invasive, gastrointestinal, and thoracic.
Dr. Jay received her BA from Oberlin College in 2000, where she studied anthropology and dance, followed by her post-bac in 2006 from Hunter College in NY. Dr. Jay received her DVM from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. She is a member of the ACVS, AVMA, and CVMA. Following her education, Dr. Jay completed both a Small Animal Rotating Internship and a Small Animal Surgery Residency at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.
At home, Dr. Jay spends time with her son, Kiran and daughter, Asha. They have two dogs: a cattle dog mix named Oakley, and Everest, a German shepherd dog. Before becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Jay pursued a career as a modern dancer. She loves hiking, reading, and watching movies, but most of all, she loves cuddling her patients and working to save their lives to return them to their families.
Special Interests:
- Head and neck surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Minimally invasive techniques
- Gastrointestinal procedures
Veterinarian - Specialist
Heather Mossman, BVSc (dist), Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Small Animal
Dr. Mossman graduated from Kalamazoo College before attending veterinary school at Massey University in New Zealand, where she graduated at the top of her class. She practiced as a primary care veterinarian in Michigan and in England, before returning to the States to pursue further training. Dr. Mossman completed her internship at MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. She then completed her surgical residency at Veterinary Surgical Centers in northern Virginia, where her research included evaluating techniques for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).
She brings compassion and a high standard of care to her work, and enjoys the challenge of a diverse soft tissue and orthopedic caseload, and keeping up with latest techniques and research. Her special interests include pain management, critical care, advanced soft tissue techniques, including skin reconstruction, and minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy and thoracoscopy.
She moved to CT from England, with her husband, their dog, Quimby, and cat, Money Penny. She enjoys travel, outdoor activities, and entertaining friends and family.
Special Interests:
- Pain management
- Critical care
- Minimally invasive techniques
- Soft tissue and skin reconstruction
Veterinarian - Specialist
Rita Ho, DVM, MS, Practice Limited to Medical Oncology
Dr. Rita Ho is part of the Oncology specialty department at Pieper Memorial and Pieper Veterinary Stratford. She grew up in Taiwan and received her DVM from National Taiwan University in 2007, and received certification from Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) in 2010. Dr. Ho completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery in Westbury, NY, followed by a one-year oncology internship at Texas A&M University. She then completed a three-year residency at the Veterinary Cancer Center in Connecticut. Following her residency, Dr. Ho has worked at several private practices in the Tri-state area and we are pleased to welcome her back to the Pieper Veterinary family.
Dr. Ho has co-authored scientific journals, provided lectures overseas for continuing education in Mandarin, and is a member of several states and national veterinary organizations. Her interests include conventional and novel chemotherapy, immunotherapy, novel targeted therapy, and clinical trials.
Dr. Ho focuses on providing her patients with individualized treatment plans based upon the most up-to-date research and therapies. She strives to provide compassionate care, communicate effectively with families, and assist them in making informed decisions about their pet’s care.
Outside of work, she enjoys movies, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
Abstracts
Vaccine-induced ErbB (EGFR/HER2)-specific immunity in spontaneous canine cancer
Hester A Doyle, Renelle J Gee, Tyler D Masters, Christian R Gee, Carmen J Booth, Elizabeth Peterson-Roth, Raymond A Koski, Stuart C Helfand, Lauren Price, Deborah Bascombe, Dorothy Jackson, Rita Ho , Gerald R Post, Mark J Mamula
Transl Oncol . 2021 Nov;14(11):101205. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101205. Epub 2021 Aug 19.
Vet Pathol . 2011 Jan;48(1):54-72. doi: 10.1177/0300985810390717.
Prognostic markers for canine melanocytic neoplasms: a comparative review of the literature and goals for future investigation
R C Smedley 1, W L Spangler, D G Esplin, B E Kitchell, P J Bergman, H-Y Ho, I L Bergin, M Kiupel
Vet Pathol . 2011 Jan;48(1):54-72.
Veterinarian - Specialist
Janet K. Carreras VMD, DACVIM (Oncology)
Dr. Janet K. Carreras is a board-certified veterinary oncologist at Pieper Veterinary. Originally from Connecticut, she graduated with honors from the College of the Holy Cross in Chemistry and achieved her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1998, where she also completed her internship and residency programs. She worked as a veterinary oncologist in Texas at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists for 14 years, and worked an additional six years at IDEXX Laboratories providing specialty consultations to veterinarians looking to offer oncological care to their patients.
Dr. Carreras is a member of the Veterinary Cancer Society, the Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Oncology – Pathology Working Group, and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Dr. Carreras lives with her husband, their two children, and their dog Huey (a Chihuahua, Doberman, Chow, Labrador, and Manchester terrier mix). When not working she enjoys spending time with her family, walking, jogging, gardening, and afternoons at the beach. Dr. Carreras’ three favorite things are people, pets, and science, and she loves that her job lets her focus on all three of these passions as she provides her clients with new ways to help their beloved pets continue to celebrate and enjoy life.
Research and Publications
London C, Mathie T, Stingle N, Clifford C, Haney S, Klein MK, Beaver L, Vickery K, Vail, DM, Hershey B, Ettinger S, Vaughan A, Alvarez F, Hillman L, Kiselow M, Thamm D, Higginbotham ML, Gauthier M, Krick E, Phillips B, Ladue T, Jones P, Bryan J, Gill V, Novasad A, Fulton L, Carreras J, McNeill C, Henry C, Gillings S. Preliminary Evidence for biologic activity of toceranib phosphate (Palladia(®)) in solid tumors. Vet Comp Oncol 2012 Sep;10(3):194-205.
Hahn KA, Legendre AM, Shaw NG, Phillips B, Ogilvie GK, Prescott DM, Atwater SW, Carreras JK, Lana SE, Rusk A, Kinet JP, Dubreuil P, Moussy A, Hermine O. Evaluation of 12- and 24-month survival rates after treatment with masitinib in dogs with nonresectable mast cell tumors. Am J Vet Res 2010 Nov;71(11):1354-61.
Axiak SM, Carreras JK, Hahn KA, Endicott MM, Parshley DE, King GK. Hematologic changes associated with half-body irradiation in dogs with lymphoma. J Vet Intern Med 2006 Nov-Dec;20(6):1398-401.
Risbon RE, deLourmier LP, Skorupski K, Burgess KE, Bergman PJ, Carreras J, Hahn K, Leblanc A, Turek M, Impellizeri J, Fred R 3rd, Wojcieszyn JW, Drobatz K, Clifford CA. Response of canine cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma to lomustine (CCNU): a retrospective study of 46 cases (1999-2004). J Vet Intern Med 2006 Nov-Dec;20(6):1389-97.
Hahn KA, King GK, Carreras JK. Efficacy of radiation therapy for incompletely resected grade-III mast cell tumors in dogs: 31 cases (1987-1998). J Am Vet Assoc 2004 Jan 1;224(1):79-82.
Carreras JK, Goldschmidt M, Lamb M, McLear RC, Drobatz KJ, Sorenmo KU. Feline epitheliotropic intestinal malignant lymphoma: 10 cases (1997-2000). J Vet Intern Med 2003 May-Jun;17(3):326-31.
Carreras JK, Sorenmo KU. Neoplasms of the Cranial Mediastinum and Pleura. In: Lesley G. King, ed. Textbook of Respiratory Disease in Dogs and Cats, St. Louis, Saunders, 2003:634-42.
Hahn KA, Carreras JK. Chondrosarcoma, nasal and paranasal sinuses. In: Larry P Tilley and Francis W. K. Smith, Jr., eds. Five Minute Veterinary Consult, Canine and Feline, 3rd Ed., Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2003:226.
Hahn KA, Carreras JK. Adenocarcinoma, nasal. In: Larry P Tilley and Francis W. K. Smith, Jr., eds. Five Minute Veterinary Consult, Canine and Feline, 3rd Ed., Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2003:27.
Hahn KA, Carreras JK. Squamous cell carcinoma, nasal and paranasal sinuses. In: Larry P Tilley and Francis W. K. Smith, Jr., eds. Five Minute Veterinary Consult, Canine and Feline, 3rd Ed., Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2003:1224.
Veterinarian - Specialist
Alexie Baja, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Dr. Alexie Baja is a board-certified oncology specialist at Pieper Veterinary. Dr. Baja attended Florida Atlantic University with an undergraduate degree in biology, and achieved her doctorate of veterinary medicine from St. George’s University in Grenada, where she graduated summa cum laude. She completed her clinical year, rotating internship, and residency in medical oncology at North Carolina State University, and is a member of the ACVIM, VCS, and AVMA.
Dr. Baja is passionate about client communication and veterinary ethics in daily practice, and is enrolled in a clinical trial focusing on the use of nutritional supplements to decrease chemotherapy-related side effects as she explores the evidence-based integration of alternative medicine in veterinary oncology.