Our Doctors
Michelle Pineda, DVM
Dr. Michelle Pineda was born in Greenville, South Carolina, but because she was from an Air Force family and moved every three years, her family often joked that "Home is where the dog is"! Her intense love of animals and passion for science led her to choose veterinary medicine as her life's work. Her academic credentials include:
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Master of Arts, Physics, Duke University
- Bachelor of Science, Physics and Mathematics, summa cum laude, Harding University
- Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, summa cum laude, Harding University
While in veterinary school, Dr. Pineda was presented with both the Phi Zeta and the Martin Litwack Awards for Academic Achievement. She is a member of the Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Pineda has broad and extensive surgical experience and a love of cutting-edge medicine. Her major areas of interest include: dentistry, preventive medicine, endocrinology, and soft-tissue surgery.
Michelle and her husband, Luis, have two young sons, Anthony and Alex. They also share their home with a Papillon, Cinco, and two cats, Star and Sterling.
Linda Sands, DVM
Dr. Linda Sands was born in Greenville, South Carolina and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. As a child, she enjoyed spending time in the show arena with her Irish Setters, several of which became Champions. She and her husband, Steve, have two adult children and a precious granddaughter. They enjoy traveling, horseback riding and playing with their grandbaby. Not to be forgotten is the rest of the family: one dog (Rocky), three cats (Simon, Peter and Jezebel) and one horse (Wallaby)!
Co-founder of Dogwood Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Sands has earned the following degrees:
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Master of Science, Medical Microbiology, University of Georgia
- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, University of Georgia
Her areas of special interest include: chronic ear conditions, infectious diseases and preventive health care.
Dr. Sands holds membership in the American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association and the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association.