Our mission at Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency is to offer the best veterinary care in the state of Georgia. Our commitment is to strive to be at the forefront of veterinary emergency and specialty medicine, to offer the most effective diagnostics, and treatment options for each of our patients. We are also committed to the veterinary profession, in partnering with veterinarians and advancing the practice of veterinary medicine.
ABOUT DOGWOOD
Veterinarians with a passion to improve veterinary medicine
Our mission is to offer the best veterinary care in the state of Georgia
SURGERY
Peter Czajkowski, DVM, DACVS
Board Certified Surgeon
Dr. Peter Czajkowski was born and raised in Atlanta. Following completion of his undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Czajkowski completed a rotating small animal medicine and surgery internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Denver, CO followed by a surgical internship at Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego. He completed his small animal surgery residency at Tufts University. He has a special professional interest in cardiothoracic surgery and orthopedics, specifically fracture repair and cranial cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children as well as their dog Nala. He also enjoys running, tennis, and all things Georgia Bulldogs.
Amanda Panissidi, BVMS (Residency Trained in Surgery)
Residency in Small Animal Surgery
Dr. Panissidi brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to the surgery service at Dogwood. With her career spanning over two decades in veterinary medicine, surgery, and research. After earning her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Glasgow in 2015, she pursued advanced training through internships and a surgical residency at the Affiliates Veterinary Specialists in Florida, honing her skills in small animal soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.
Throughout her career, Dr. Panissidi has been deeply involved in clinical practice and surgery. She is passionate about collaborating with clients to provide the best care possible and enjoys sharing her knowledge with colleagues to advance veterinary medicine as a whole.
Dr. Panissidi is also a published author in veterinary surgery and cardiology research, reflecting her commitment to advancing the field through both practice and science.
ONCOLOGY
Brolin Evans, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Board Certified in Oncology
Dr. Brolin Evans, a native of Cartersville, Georgia, is a board-certified medical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of cancer in pets. His personal experience with cancer in family members and pets has deeply influenced his career. Dr. Evans is committed to personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to each individual case, and is enthusiastic about the potential of comparative oncology to benefit both veterinary and human cancer patients. Outside of his professional life, he cherishes time with his wife and twin daughters, enjoys playing piano and singing at church, cooking, and maintaining reef aquariums. He is also a pet parent to two dogs, Coco and Rosie.
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Sophia Avgeris, DVM, DACVIM
Board Certified in Internal Medicine
Dr. Avgeris, a University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine alumna, has had a distinguished career involving a post-doctoral fellowship, a dual internship and clinical instructor position at Virginia Tech, and a residency in internal medicine at UT. As a Clinical Instructor in Small Animal Medicine, she engaged in clinical nutrition trials and earned accolades like the Brandy Memorial Award and Small Animal Teacher of the Year. An author on various veterinary topics and an active member of the Comparative Gastroenterology Society, her interests span GI and liver disease, coagulopathies, critical care, and oncology. Outside of her professional life, she is a mother of three, manages numerous pets, and is an avid triathlete.
Pamela Martin, DVM (Residency Trained in Internal Medicine)
Practice Limited to Small Animal Internal Medicine
Dr. Pamela Martin is a veterinarian originally from Denver, Colorado. She earned her BS in Animal Science and DVM from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing a rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, she worked as an associate veterinarian in Maryland. Dr. Martin then pursued a residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Mississippi State University, finishing in 2007.
She joined the faculty at Tuskegee University and held key roles, including service chief for Small Animal Internal Medicine and Department Chair for Small Animal Clinical Sciences until 2022. Dr. Martin moved to the Atlanta area in 2022 and joined Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency in 2024. Her research and clinical interests include hematology, vector-borne diseases, immunology, and cardiology. In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with family, playing tennis, reading, and doing puzzles.
CRITICAL CARE
Andre Shih, DVM, DACVECC, DACVAA
Emergency Critical Care Doctor and Anesthesiologist
Dr. Andre Shih is one of the few double board certified veterinarians in the US. Dr. Shih specialties are Critical Care and Anesthesiology/Analgesia. He is a prominent lecturer in several national and internal veterinary conferences.
Nicole Tusa, DVM, DACVECC
Board Certified in Emergency and Critical Care
Aaron Galton, DVM, DACVECC
Board Certified in Emergency and Critical Care
Dr. Aaron Galton is a graduate of the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. He then pursued advanced training by completing an emergency-focused small animal internship followed by a residency in emergency and critical care medicine at AVECCC in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Galton’s special interests include trauma, mechanical ventilation, and emergency surgery. He is passionate about patient care and strives to treat each animal as if they are his own. He also enjoys teaching students, interns, and new doctors, and is thankful to have the opportunity to return to his home state and join the team at Dogwood.
Micaela Planas Risi
Critical Care Intern
Trevor Chan, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Trevor Chan is currently a staff criticalist at Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency. He enjoys working within the human animal bond to overcome acute crises of animal health. Dr. Chan did his premedical studies at Johns Hopkins University before earning a doctorate at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, he pursued additional training with a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Ryan Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School and residency in small animal emergency and critical care at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists. In his free time, Dr. Chan enjoys staying active, playing guitar, and watching Formula One racing with his wife and cat, Pokie.
Kevin Kirchofer, MS, DVM, DACVECC
Dr. Kirchofer is a board-certified specialist in emergency and critical care with a distinguished career spanning over 15 years. A graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, he also holds a Master of Science in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska. Dr. Kirchofer’s extensive expertise includes managing complex emergency cases, training interns and residents, and contributing to advancements in veterinary medicine through his research and publications.
Dr. Kirchofer is deeply committed to building strong relationships with referring veterinarians, ensuring seamless collaboration and communication on every case. He values the trust placed in him by his colleagues and works closely with them to develop tailored treatment plans that prioritize the needs of their patients. Outside of his professional work, Dr. Kirchofer enjoys mentoring future veterinarians and continuously expanding his knowledge to remain at the forefront of emergency and critical care medicine.
Carissa Thomas, DVM (Residency Trained in Anesthesia)
Bio coming soon.
EMERGENCY
Agda Tamassia, DVM, CVA
Emergency Doctor, Acupuncturist and Herbalist
Dr. Agda Tamassia graduated from the University of Florida in 2008. She became certified in veterinary acupuncture, herbal medicine, and tui-na at the Qi Institute in Gainesville, FL soon after graduation. Dr. Tamassia worked several years at a thriving general practice clinic and then decided to move to emergency care in 2017.
Nick Lothrop, DVM
Emergency Doctor
Nick Lothrop graduated from Ross University School Of Veterinary Medicine and completed his clinical year at the University of Tennessee. He is originally from Knoxville and has one dog (a German shepherd) named Cali. Nick has always loved emergency medicine and is excited to start at Dogwood and serve the Atlanta area.
McCall Wyatt, DVM
Emergency Doctor
Dr. McCall Wyatt graduated from University of Georgia, College of Veterinary medicine shortly after attending Georgia State University for her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. She is a proud Atlanta native growing up in Roswell, GA and she has been working as veterinary support staff in the greater Atlanta area for over 10 years. Her passion for emergency medicine was sparked during her years as a veterinary nurse and has continued into her career as an emergency veterinarian. Her favorite part of her career is improving the quality of life for her patients and seeing the resulting effect on the pet’s parents.
Allison Maddox, DVM
Emergency Doctor
Dr. Allison Maddox was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where she developed a passion for both music and medicine. Dr. Maddox attended veterinary school at the University of Georgia and graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 2009. She has been practicing emergency and critical care in the metro Atlanta area since leaving veterinary school and hasn’t looked back since.
Molly King, DVM
Emergency Doctor
Dr. Molly King is a 2017 graduate from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (Go Gators!), where she also completed her undergraduate degrees. She has practiced general practice and emergency medicine in Florida and Georgia, and she has special interest in gastroenterology, infectious disease/preventative medicine, dentistry, and surgery. But her favorite part about emergency medicine is being able to be there for clients when they need pet care the most.
Jessica Posey, DVM
Emergency Doctor
Dr. Jessica Posey grew up in the small town of Adairsville, Georgia. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 2018 and her veterinary degree from the University of Georgia in 2022. Following veterinary school, she completed a one-year rotating internship at Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty in Columbia, South Carolina. She is thrilled to be back in Georgia to continue to provide care for pets and their families when they need it most.
Mary Beth Parade, DVM
Emergency Doctor
Bio coming soon.