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: preventative medicine, endocrinology, and soft-tissue surgery.

Michelle and her husband, Luis, share their home with their three dogs (Cricket, Cinco and Chestnut) 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 new granddaughter. They enjoy traveling, horseback riding and playing with their new grandbaby. Not to be forgotten is the rest of the family: three dogs (Xena, Rocky and Zara), four cats (Simon, Peter, Jezebel and Jerry) and two horses (Wallaby and Louie)!

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.