| The Windhover Team | |
Marjorie McMillan is the owner and visionary behind the Windhover Veterinary Center. A 1974 graduate of The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. McMillan has worked tirelessly throughout her career to improve the life and health of companion animals. Dr. McMillan completed an Internship at Angell Memorial Medical Center and went on to fulfill requirements for a Residency Program in Radiology, studying at Angell, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, and the University of California at Davis.
A Board Certified Veterinary Radiologist, Dr. McMillan is a pioneer in the field of avian radiology, developing standards for the field and authoring texts that established radiology as a primary diagnostic tool in the practice of avian medicine. A leader and teacher, Dr. McMillan has inspired many vet students to study and practice avian medicine. Dr. McMillan opened the Windhover in 1992 to provide high-quality compassionate care to animal companions in a gentle, supportive environment. Specializing in birds, dogs and cats, her reputation for exemplary medical skill draws clients from all over New England to the Windhover .
Geriatric medicine has long been a passion of Dr. McMillan´s and that passion led her to complete a certification program in veterinary physical therapy at the University of Tennessee. That training inspired Dr. McMillan to establish the Sterling Impression Animal Rehabilitation Center of New England, a full scale rehabilitation facility in Walpole, MA. www.starcone.com to serve animals facing limitations from arthritis, animals recovering from surgery, stroke , and other illness that impede mobility.
Believing that each and every living being deserves to be treated with respect, Dr. McMillan provides care to the patients of the Windhover according to the philosophy that, "in the end, only kindness matters."
Dr. Karen Holmes is a graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. After completing a one year internship with Dr. McMillan, Dr. Holmes joined the Windhover as a fulltime associate veterinarian in 2005. Working at Windhover allows her to practice medicine with the birds, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and other small mammals that she treats in an environment that promotes compassionate healing. Dr. Holmes has a lifelong interest in birds, their natural behaviors, overall health and husbandry. While many things inspired her to return to the classroom, significant among them was reading The Alex Studies about the famed African Gray Parrot Alex Pepperberg. Dr. Holmes received a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies from The Ohio State University and a Master’s Degree in Politics and Public Policy from the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She spent 15 years in the field politics and public policy, specializing in women’s education and job training before pursuing veterinary medicine. Out of the office, Dr. Holmes is an avid kayaker and cross country skier. She enjoys traveling, gardening and cooking. She also sits on the Board of Trustees for two animal rescue organizations in New Jersey and volunteers when time allows. Her nonhuman companions include the dogs Molly and Sasha, the cats, Tiger, Blackie and Smokey and last, but never, ever least, Sloopy, the African Gray Parrot.
We are happy to announce the addition of Kendra Chavarria to our technical staff. Kendra has had a love for animals since she was very young. Initially, Kendra pursued a career in carpentry but has found working in Veterinary Medicine much more fulfilling and rewarding. Previously, Kendra spent 2 years living at a veterinary hospital to care for the hospitalized and boarding animals during off hours. During those hours she made sure to give them extra care and love. This helped to keep the animals comfortable during their time away from home. She has a special interest in exotics and rabbits not only because they are so interesting to her but also because they are so soft and innocent looking. Kendra is always looking for seminars and online courses to participate in so she can continue to learn new things pertaining to her job at Windhover. When she is not at work she likes to go snow-boarding, play soccer and go to the beach.
Christina Contreras joined us in January of 2011. A veterinary technician for the past four years at Brookline Animal Hospital, Christina has just finished her Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Mount Ida College. Mount Ida´s rigorous curriculum has prepared Christina well for the pace of work and high level of skill required at Windhover. Christina truly enjoys her work, especially when it comes to providing that bit of extra nursing and care that our sick patients need. An attentive and dedicated anesthesia tech, Christina gives our staff another competent and thorough hand in surgery. She happily walks in to each and every appointment regardless of whether it is a happy healthy puppy or a desperately ill rat. Christina shares her life with Buster the dog and two cats, Cobalt and Elijah.
Joan Powers has been the Hospital Manager at the Windhover for the past 11 years. Coming from Family Practice management, Joan is always working toward greater efficiency and organization to the way we deliver services to our patients and clients. Her excellent skills at working with clients enable her to tackle the inevitable but difficult job of conflict resolution in a fair and balanced way. Joan earned a Bachelor´s degree from Lesley University in Business Management where, among other things, she learned the importance of meeting clients´ needs with regular contact and follow up. Joan is always looking for ways to improve our work and is always interested in hearing what our clients think about our services. Joan´s non-human companion is Gina, a shepherd mix.
Marie DelZoppo came to work for the Windhover almost 20 years ago. The most frequent voice on the phone when you call for your appointments, Marie is the administrative glue that holds the Windhover together having mastered our schedules, files, accounts and now, our new, paperless recordkeeping system. She knows our clients, our patients and their needs and works steadily to meet them, even when it means asking the staff to stay a little longer or work through their breaks to make sure that each animal receives the care it needs. A self-described feline fanatic, Marie gives equal love and attention to each of the animals that come through our doors. When not at work, Marie enjoys gardening and swimming.
Jenna Cavanaugh is a veterinary assistant whose smile radiates throughout the clinic. She began her association with Windhover in 2005 as a volunteer. Once she was of working age she was hired as a full fledge employee. Jenna loves working with all animals but has a special interest in working with rabbits. Currently, Jenna is a full time student at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst studying Animal Science with the intention of pursuing a career in Veterinary Medicine. While at school she is part of the Boer Goat Herd Group, the U-Mass Dorset Sheep Group and hopes to take part in the care of the Belted Galloway Cows in the future. Her role in these groups is to help with herd management. These tasks include but are not limited to nutrition management, feeding the herd, and clipping hooves. When Jenna is not involved at school we love having her spend her time with us at Windhover.
Kaitlyn Rank is very excited to join the staff at Windhover Veterinary Center. She is a student at Northeastern University studying biology and chemistry on the pre-vet track, and is at Windhover as a part of her coop program. She is very interested in learning about all the different species that Windhover treats and working with all different kinds of animals from all different backgrounds. Originally from Texas, she has volunteered at the Central Texas SPCA and Thundering Paws Cat Sanctuary, as well as at the MSPCA Angell Animal Care and Adoption Center in Boston. While in school she enjoys playing oboe in Northeastern´s orchestra and wind ensemble. At home she has two cats, Mackie and Lily, and two big dogs, Bobbi and Sophie.
Colleen Roback is the newest addition to the Windhover Team. She is the voice you will hear when you call the office in the evening and on Saturdays. She comes to us with valuable experience from working at the Mansfield Animal Shelter and previously at another animal hospital. She states that her goals are to make sure every patient and client gets the best care available, and to provide each animal with love, care and affection. In her spare time Colleen continues to volunteer at the Mansfield Animal Shelter as well as the Massachusetts State Police K-9 and mounted units. She also enjoys playing softball and spending time with her family.
