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Archives: Staff

Brigid Lemburg, DVM, DAVECC

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

Zach Stillman, DVM

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

Michael Hitt, DVM, Practice Limited to Surgery

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

Christine Ruffin, DVM

Veterinarian

Christine Ruffin, DVM

Dr. Christine Ruffin, BVM&S MRCVS, is an associate veterinarian undertaking a year-long internship with our specialty surgery department. Originally from just outside of Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Ruffin earned her Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University before completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University in 2024. She then completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Georgia, where she honed her skills in a variety of clinical disciplines. Her professional interests include surgical oncology, emergency surgery, and clinical research.

Dr. Ruffin is passionate about the human-animal bond and takes pride in being able to support both pets and their families during critical and often emotional moments. She especially values the unique relationships formed with her patients and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their lives. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys spending time with her Brittany spaniel-English setter mix, Lucee – whom she adopted during vet school – reading on the beach, and horseback riding whenever she gets the chance.

Special Interests:

  • Emergency surgery
  • Surgical oncology
  • Clinical research

Rachel Roy, DVM

Veterinarian - ER

Rachel Roy, DVM

Dr. Rachel Roy is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. Although she originally started with us in 2019 as a technician, we are delighted to welcome her back to the Pieper team as one of our newest veterinarians! A native of East Hartford, CT, Dr. Roy earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut in 2019 before attending the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada, where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2024. During veterinary school, she served as Vice President of the Emergency and Critical Care Club, reinforcing her strong clinical interest in emergency medicine.

Dr. Roy is RECOVER Certified and a member of both the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). She is passionate about alleviating pain and providing care for animals who cannot voice their discomfort, with a life-long love of both medicine and animals. Outside of work, Dr. Roy enjoys hiking, watching movies, and horseback riding, a lifelong passion she began at age five. She shares her life with Bea, her 4-year-old Chihuahua mix, and remains dedicated to compassionate, responsive care in the fast-paced world of emergency veterinary medicine.

Special Interests:

  • Emergency medicine

Alison Parker, DVM

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

Veterinarian - ER

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

Veterinarian - ER

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

Allison Hill, DVM

Veterinarian - ER

Allison Hill, DVM

Dr. Allison Hill is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2025-2026. A Connecticut native from the town of Ellington, Dr. Hill earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Siena College in Albany, NY, where she also competed as a Division I athlete in cross country and track. She went on to complete her veterinary education at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, finishing her clinical year at Virginia Tech and graduating with her DVM in 2025. Dr. Hill has a strong clinical interest in surgery and looks forward to further developing her skills in this area during her internship at Pieper.

A lifelong animal lover, Dr. Hill was inspired to become a veterinarian from a young age, and she remains deeply passionate about the field. She is especially grateful for the opportunity to enhance the lives of animals and their families, finding joy in both simply spending time around them as well as in the chance to help pets feel better and strengthen the bond they share with their humans. Outside of work, Dr. Hill enjoys baking, hiking, skiing, beach days, and running. She shares her life with two beloved pets: Saint, a German shepherd/husky mix, and Clementine, a orange domestic shorthair cat.

Special Interests:

  • Surgery

Ellie Handberg, DVM

Veterinarian - ER

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