Originally from a rural area in the Hudson Valley of New York State, Dr. Piwonka earned her DVM from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional experience began in the fourth grade, when she worked for a veterinarian walking dogs and observing surgeries. She came to Massachusetts because of the “abundance of outdoor activities combined with a fun and progressive community.” Dr. Piwonka joined the team at Windy Hollow Veterinary Clinic in 2010 and purchased the practice in 2014.
WHAT MAKES HER INTERESTING
“Even though I practice veterinary medicine on mammals now, I love birds. I own chickens and parrots. I’ve worked with injured birds of prey, and I started a captive breeding program for threatened species of hawks at Cornell.”
WHY SHE LOVES HER JOB
Dr. Piwonka enjoys connecting with animals and their owners, and combining scientific-based Western medicine with traditional Chinese veterinary medicine.
WHAT SHE DOES IN HER SPARE TIME
Dr. Piwonka loves cycling, running, knitting, and playing with her children. She shares her life with her husband, two children, two cats (McLovin and Edith), a caique (Francis), a leopard gecko (Lightning), and 10 chickens.
OF NOTE
Dr. Piwonka has run two marathons, and the longest day-long bike ride she ever took was 180 miles.
For Dr. Thompson, the most rewarding part of veterinary medicine is being an advocate for her patients' health, comfort, and overall well-being while strengthening the bond between pets and the people who love them. Her professional interests include behavior, internal medicine, and acupuncture, allowing her to care for patients with a thoughtful, individualized approach that considers both their physical and emotional health.
Dr. Thompson earned bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Chemistry from Vassar College before receiving her Doctorate from Tufts University. Her unique educational background, combined with years of clinical experience, allows her to blend science, compassion, and communication to help pets live healthier, happier lives.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Thompson enjoys spending time with her lively household of animals. Her canine family includes Coda, an English Shepherd who is a certified agility and therapy dog with numerous titles and more than 300 therapy visits to his credit; Sukie, a Nordic herding mix who has embraced the role of "naughtiest senior dog"; and two mischievous cats, Timo and Ramona, who each keep the household entertained in their own unique ways. She also shares her home with several brush-eating goats—Rutabaga, Lamalcha, and Lily. A lifelong horse lover, Dr. Thompson dreams of one day having horses at home again to fulfill her ultimate "horse girl" dream.
When she's not caring for patients, Dr. Thompson enjoys attending live music performances, discovering gluten-free bakeries, hiking, sewing, gardening, and spending quiet days with her family. Her perfect day off includes a leisurely morning with pancakes, reading in a hammock, a gentle hike, an outdoor dinner with loved ones, and ending the day with a relaxing bubble bath.
What Dr. Thompson loves most about Windy Hollow Veterinary Clinic is that it has always felt like home. From the first time she walked through the doors of the original clinic, she knew she had found a place where compassionate people were committed to providing exceptional veterinary medicine. She hopes every client knows just how deeply every member of our team cares about each patient and how personally invested we are in helping every pet live their happiest, healthiest life.
Her advice to every pet owner reflects the philosophy she brings to her work each day:
"Learn to listen to what your pet is telling you. Honor their needs, advocate for them, and trust the special bond you share."
