Associate Veterinarian - ER
Kahlia Gonzales, DVM
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