Archives: Staff

Benjamin March, DVM

Dr. Benjamin March graduated magna cum laude from the University of Connecticut, majoring in Animal Science and Pathobiology and minoring in Molecular and Cell Biology. He chose to pursue research in microbiology with a focus on food safety and aquaculture pathogens. After his undergraduate work, Dr. March worked to obtain his veterinary degree at Cornell University. While at Cornell, Dr. March was the recipient of the Frank Bloom Pathology Award, the Veterinary Cancer Society Award for Proficiency in Clinical Oncology, the Westminster Kennel Foundation Scholarship, and the Tracy French Clinical Pathology Award. Prior to working for Pieper Veterinary, Dr. March worked as an associate veterinarian for BluePearl Veterinary Partners, a large specialty and emergency hospital located in New York City. He has been with Pieper Veterinary since 2014.

Dr. March is originally from Danbury, Connecticut, and currently lives in Middletown with his spouse, three cats Stubby, Mimi, and Artemis, and golden retriever, Jasmine. Deeply committed to the human-animal bond, Dr. March looks forward to treating your pets as he would his own.

Special Interests:

• Preventative medicine
• Internal medicine
• Oncology
• Emergency medicine

Christopher Liguore, DVM

Dr. Christopher Liguore is a primary care veterinarian who sees patients at our Randolph Road and Berlin Street locations in Middletown. He was born and raised in Connecticut and is proud to be practicing in his home state.  Dr. Liguore graduated from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. He did an small animal rotating medicine and surgery internship at Pieper Veterinary followed by another year undergoing a focused surgical internship also at Pieper Veterinary. After completing his internships, he stayed on at Pieper to work as an overnight emergency doctor until 2021 when he decided join our general practice team. Dr. Liguore’s primary interests are in small animal surgery especially emergency soft tissue surgical procedures. He also has maintained a strong interest in emergency medicine and hospitalized patient care.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Liguore is married and has 3 dogs , a horse, and a guinea pig. His favorite patients are rabbits and Rottweilers. He is a self proclaimed nerd who enjoys cult classic action movies, science fiction, fantasy and history.

Special Interests:

• Small animal surgery
• Emergency soft tissue surgery
• Emergency medicine

Michelle Hulse, DVM

Dr. Hulse started with the Pieper family in 2012 as a general surgeon. She grew up in Long Island, New York. She attended Cornell University and obtained her BS in Animal Science, and shortly after, in 1994, achieved her goal of becoming a veterinarian. She started as a mixed animal practitioner and gradually moved into the field of small animals. Dr. Hulse then moved into the position of general surgeon at the Middletown office of Pieper Veterinary Hospital.

She is an active member of DART (Durham Animal Response Team), a member of the AVMA, and is also a part of numerous driving clubs around CT. She also opened the doors to her own small, low-cost spay/neuter facility called “Spay It Forward.” It is a low-cost clinic where feral cats and strays are taken to be neutered/spayed.

Dr. Hulse enjoys traveling, visiting with her family, and cooking. She also enjoys participating in carriage driving competitions with her Welsh pony Chloe, as well as in pleasure shows. Dr. Hulse enjoys cuddling with her cats Munchie, Paulie, and Black Kitty.

Special Interests:

• Surgery
• Low-income spay and neuter

Elizabeth Guimond, DVM

Dr. Elizabeth Guimond is an associate veterinarian joining the Pieper Veterinary primary care team at our Berlin Street hospital in Middletown. Originally from Norwich, Connecticut, Dr. Guimond graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in Marine Biology and a B.S. in Animal Science and Technology. She attended veterinary school at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and graduated in 2024, where she received the Excellence in Communication Award. She is a member of the AVMA and is Fear Free certified.

Dr. Guimond has a special clinical interest in feline medicine, preventative medicine, internal medicine, dentistry, behavior, and communication. She enjoys the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with her clients and work together on their animals’ care, especially when it comes to complicated cases that require more puzzling out. She lives with her husband, James, and her sweet senior kitty, Noelle, and when not working she enjoys sewing her own wardrobe, attempting to knit a sweater, yoga, reading, hiking, and kayaking.

Special Interests:

• Feline Medicine
• Preventative medicine
• Internal medicine
• Dentistry
• Behavior
• Communication

Amy Fayette, DVM

Dr. Amy Fayette has been an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary since May of 2007, and has special clinical interests in parasitology, preventative care, shelter medicine, and feline medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from UMass Amherst in 2003, and her DVM from Ross University Veterinary School in 2007. Dr. Fayette is a member of the AVMA.

Dr. Fayette is originally from the great state of Massachusetts and lives with her husband, Steve, and their new baby daughter. Together, they have a not-very-smart Jack Russel named Artoo, Meows (a retired feline blood donor), and two Caribbean cats from veterinary school, Diamond and Zack. Growing up, Dr. Fayette always had cats, starting from when she was just seven years old. Her love for her feline friends sparked an interest in animals that led to her career as a veterinarian.

Special Interests:

• Parasitology
• Preventative care
• Shelter medicine
• Feline medicine

Christina D. Desjeunes, DVM

Dr. Christina D. Desjeunes is an associate veterinarian joining the Pieper Veterinary primary care team at our Essex hospital. Raised in Connecticut, Dr. Desjeunes received a Bachelors of Science in biology and biotechnology through Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2008, and earned her degree in veterinary medicine through the University of Minnesota in 2013. She completed a specialty internship focusing on zoo, exotic animal, wildlife, and exotic animal medicine before practicing as an associate veterinarian in Indiana for almost ten years before moving back to New England. She maintains a special clinical interest in both exotic animal medicine and internal medicine for dogs and cats.

Dr. Desjeunes is married with two young daughters and shares her home with her 14-year old Dachshund, Cookie, and her 19-year old cat, Bella. In addition to animals and veterinary medicine, she enjoys reading, theatre, and ballet.

Special Interests:

• Internal medicine
• Exotic animal medicine

Julia Chant, DVM, CVA, CVSMT

We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Julia Chant to Elm City Vet. Born and raised in Meriden, CT, she graduated from the University of Connecticut before earning her degree in veterinary medicine from Ross University in 2003. In addition to her medical training, Dr. Chant is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy. She also serves as a board member for The Feline Connection cat rescue in Rutland, VT, and performs surgical work for Homeward Bound Humane Society in Middlebury, VT.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Chant loves spending time outdoors, whether it’s running, hiking, and gardening in the summer or cross-country skiing in the winter. She’s a lifelong animal lover and shares her home with her husband, two wonderful children, an Irish Wolfhound named Keeva, a Lab mix named Boone, three cherished cats, a flock of chickens, and a rotating crew of foster kitties. She enjoys the continuous learning that veterinary medicine provides and takes pride in using her knowledge to improve both the health of her patients and their relationships with their families.

Special Interests:

• Primary care
• Veterinary acupuncture

Heather Cardoza, DVM

Dr. Heather Cardoza is a primary care veterinarian who sees patients from our Marlborough Animal Hospital location. A native to Middletown, CT, she graduated from UCONN in 2017 with a Bachelors of Science in Animal Science, and achieved her degree in veterinary medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. She is a member of the AVMA and has a clinical interest in soft tissue surgeries, oncology, and wellness and preventative health care.

Dr. Cardoza has wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as she can remember, and her favorite aspect of her job is being able to work together with her clients to help their pets live out long, happy, healthy lives together. She lives with her two cats, Nala and Violet, and two dogs, Reeses and Gus, and when not working she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking with her dogs, reading, horseback riding, and spending time relaxing on the beach.

Special Interests:

• Soft tissue surgery
• Oncology
• Wellness and preventative care

Lorena Cambizaca, DVM

Dr. Lorena Cambizaca is a primary care veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary. Originally from the nearby town of Wallingford, CT, she graduated from Roger Williams University in 2019 with her undergrad, and achieved her veterinary degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, with a clinical year completed at the University of Florida. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and has special clinical interests in preventative medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, and the care of “pocket pets” and exotic animals.

Dr. Cambizaca originally worked at Pieper as a veterinary assistant prior to attending veterinary school. She says that while she’s always wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age, her experience working at Pieper really helped to confirm that this was the field she wanted to dedicate her career to. Her favorite aspect of her job is getting to build to know and build relationships with both her patients and their families. When not working, Dr. Cambizaca enjoys hiking, golf, dog training, and spending time with her pets.

Special Interests:

• Preventative Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Emergency medicine
• Surgery
• Pocket pets and exotics

Victoria Caginalp, BVMS

Dr. Victoria Caginalp has been a veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary since 2016, received her Bachelor of Veterinary Biosciences at University of Glasgow, and her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery in 2016. She has an interest in dentistry and emergency critical care, and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association and member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Outside of being a veterinarian, Dr. Caginalp has spent a lot of time volunteering with horses and donkeys at the American Fondouk in Fez, Morocco, and with elephants at WFFT Elephant Refuge Centre in Thailand. Her three loves are her long-haired miniature dachshund, Franklin, (who is an adorable regular fixture at Pieper Veterinary), horseback riding, and running.

Has an Interest In:

• Dentistry
• Emergency and critical care