Emergency ServicesVisiting the ERUrgent CareStray Pets & WildlifeSpecialty ServicesAvian & ExoticsClinical PathologyCritical CareDiagnostic ImagingInternal MedicineNeurology & NeurosurgeryOncologySurgeryPrimary CareWellness ExamsSick VisitsVaccinationsSpay/Neuter SurgeryGeneral SurgeryDentistryFlea/Tick PreventionPuppy & Kitten CareLocationsPieper Memorial Veterinary CenterPieper Veterinary MadisonMarlborough Animal HospitalPieper Veterinary Berlin StreetEssex Veterinary ClinicEast Haddam Veterinary ClinicPieper Veterinary Stratford and Referral CenterLebanon Veterinary HospitalElm City VetMountain Lore Animal HospitalNorwichtown Veterinary HospitalAbout UsOur HistoryMeet Our DoctorsContinuing EducationVeterinary Technology ProgramVeterinary Internship, Residency and Externship ProgramsResourcesBlogFor New ClientsOur Store & RX RefillPaymentPieper Olson FoundationJoin Our TeamMessage Your Care TeamReferring VetsBook NowOnline Store

Archives: Staff

Zach Stillman, DVM

Veterinarian- Specialist

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

Michael Hitt, DVM, Practice Limited to Surgery

Veterinarian - Specialist

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veterinarian - ER

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

Veterinarian - ER

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

Veterinarian - ER

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
×