Our Staff
Dr. Elizabeth L. Shepherd, DVM
Before entering into the field of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Shepherd spent ten years working in a research laboratory at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Dr. Shepherd is a graduate of the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine where she was awarded the proficiency in small animal surgery award. Upon graduation she practiced for several years at the Animal Care Center in Brookline where she met and worked with Dr. Giles. Together they founded the Highland Animal Hospital in 1995. She and her husband have three sons and many pets including two toy poodles, a japanese chin and a cockatiel. Dr. Shepherd is a member of the Alpha Beta Chapter of the Society of Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Feline Practioners. In her spare time Dr. Shepherd enjoys sailing, arts and crafts, and photography.
Dr. Jeffrey H. Giles, VMD
Dr. Giles’ introduction to veterinary medicine came at an early age. His parents bred golden retrievers for years and Dr. Giles was involved in all aspects of their care. As a college student he worked for the MSPCA on Nantucket spending his summer vacations learning the many different aspects of veterinary medicine. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Giles came to Massachusetts for his postgraduate internship at the MSPCA/Rowley in Springfield. He then decided to make his home in the Boston area. His pet family includes a golden retriever named Harry, two pugs, a french bulldog, and a goffin cockatoo. Dr. Giles is a member of the Alpha Beta Chapter of the Society of Phi Zeta, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Ferret Society and the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians. Dr. Giles enjoys cooking, gardening, skiing, and golf.
Dr. Christopher A. Kennedy, DVM
Dr. Kennedy has an undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts. He then spent several years assisting in physiology research at Harvard University, followed by participation in similar research on sled dogs at Cornell University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, with projects taking him to Alaska and Uganda. A member of the school’s class of 2000, he joined our health care team in January of 2001. Dr. Kennedy is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. When he is not working, Dr. Kennedy enjoys playing soccer, basketball, biking and traveling with friends.
Dr. Artise Dunnavant, DVM
Dr. Dunnavant has an undergraduate degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee. She stayed at Tennessee for veterinary school where she participated in internships at the Cincinnati Zoo and the PAWS Wildlife Center in Washington State. Dr. Dunnavant moved to Seattle, Washington where she practiced for three years in a small animal practice. Her special veterinary interests include nutrition and dentistry. She and her husband have one dog, a border collie-lab mix. Dr. Dunnavant enjoys hiking, camping, traveling and college football.
Dr. William J. Curry, DVM
After serving in the Air Force Dr. Curry began his undergraduate studies in Animal Science at Washington State College. His love for animals took him to Tuskegee University where he completed his undergraduate degree and continued at Tuskegee’s University of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation Dr. Curry came to Needham and worked at the Needham Animal Hospital for three years before purchasing the practice which he ran successfully for 37 years. Since the purchase of Needham Animal Hospital by Highland Animal Hospital in June of 2003, Dr. Curry has become a valuable addition to our staff. He has been a member of the Rotary for the past 35 years and served as Animal Inspector for the town of Needham for over 25 years.