For over 45 years, women have slowly been taking over the field of Veterinary Medicine. In 2010 the gender divide in the veterinary profession was 50% men and 50% women, but women made up 80% of the college enrollment in the field. Since then, women have become the majority.
The Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital is no exception. They are a full-service veterinary hospital and pet resort that has five vets on staff and four of them are outstanding women who we wanted to highlight as part of Women in Business month. Not only are they providing excellent services to animals throughout the county but they are an amazing asset to our Berkshire economy.
Bridget Pope
Bridget Pope, DVM was born and raised in Southern Vermont on a small horse farm, loving animals for as long as she can remember. She aspired to be a Veterinarian and ambitiously chased that dream at New Hampshire University where she obtained a B.S. in Pre-Veterinary Medicine, then continuing at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completing her Clinical year at Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating in 2014, she moved to the Berkshires with her husband Spencer and joined Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital as a full-time associate.
“I love going to work and helping animals (and their people) feel better every day,” stated Bridget Pope. “Each and every day is unique as I continue to learn not only from various companion animals (of all species) but also from their owners.”
Elizabeth Kulik
“I didn’t know I wanted to be a veterinarian until I was in my early twenties”, says Elizabeth Kulik, DVM. “I was working as a research assistant at an office in Washington, DC. I started volunteering at a local animal shelter and I had a lightbulb moment!”
It took six years of full-time post-graduate schooling to get her degree, but Dr. Kulik does not regret it. “Being a vet is difficult in a lot of ways, but the emotional payoff is wonderful and these days, significantly more women than men are becoming veterinarians.” She is happy to be able to bring her expertise to the Berkshire community on a daily basis.
Madeleine Hoog-Crellin
Madeleine Hoog-Crellin, DVM, known as “Dr. Mady”, is a 2007 graduate of the University of Vermont with a BS in Pre-Vet Animal Sciences, she graduated Iowa State University College of Veterinary medicine. Today Dr. Mady specializes in chiropractic, acupuncture, and holistic medicine and has interests in pain management, Chinese herbs, and sports medicine for animals. In practice, Dr. Mady has found that balancing alternative and conventional treatments have resulted in better medical outcomes. She lives in Columbia County NY with her husband and daughter and continues to ride horses and play volleyball on a local team.
Michelle Looney
Michelle Looney, DVM, is a native of the Berkshires. She grew up in Hancock, MA and attended school in New Lebanon, NY. The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY was her stepping-stone into the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, TN. Following vet school, she completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital in Oradell, NJ. Before joining Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Looney practiced with Intown Veterinary Group located north of Boston for nine years. Though she loved the Boston area and the Intown vet group, Dr. Looney is very happy to be home in the Berkshires and near her family.
Each day these women make a difference to life in the Berkshires and we are happy to be able to shine a spotlight on the women of the Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital this month. To learn more about this business and all the veterinarians please visit their Facebook page.