Pine Plains Veterinary Hospital
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Veterinarians

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​Douglas W Hart, DVM
Dr. Douglas W. Hart is a general Practitioner who has been with Pine Plains Veterinary Asscoiates since June of 1967, and a partner in the hospital since 1970. He is originally from White Plains, New York. "Working on a small dairy farm during high school and summer vacations introduced me to working closely with animals", he said , and was inspired to become a veterinarian.
"I was fortunate enough to experience both rural and suburban environments while I was young". Riding horses in western North Dakota and working with dairy cattle in upstate New York" were two of his earlier experiences. "As younger children, my brothers and I were always surrounded by cats and dogs in the neighborhood. 
For his understudies, Dr Hart attended Cornell University where he majored in biochemistry. After receiving early admission to veterinary school, he enrolled in Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1967. During summer breaks, Dr. Hart worked in small and mixed animal practices.
He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the American Animal Hospital Association and is a member and past president of the Hudson Valley Veterinary Medical Society. He is a certified consultant for the New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program, a member and past president of the Dutchess County Agriculture Society and the Eastern New York Holstein Club, and a member of the New York Holstein Association and Holstein Association USA.
Today, Dr. Hart's area of special professional interest is cattle reproduction.
Dr. Hart has a very simple and straightforward philosophy about why he is a veterinarian. "I enjoy being useful to people and the animal's they care for", he said.

Dr. Hart and his wife, Rae, a retired school teacher, have seven grown children and 17 grandchildren. Dr. Hart's interests include skiing, golf, swimming, and showing cattle at the county fair.

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​Caroline Helm-VanKleeck, DVM
 

Dr Caroline-Helm Van Kleeck is a general practitioner who has been a member of the Pine Plains Veterinary Associates medical staff since 2007.
Dr. Helm-Van Kleeck grew up in Gallatin, New York, on a farm with cows, horse, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats cats and dogs. This early experience with animals, as well as the support and influence of her parents, helped her develop a deep compassion and love of animals. Now that she is a veterinarian, she says that she enjoys "helping animals as well as people and the community".
Dr. Helm-Van Kleeck earned her undergraduate degree in Biology/Biochemistry from the university of Wisconsin in 1984. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with numerous science and biology awards.
She was admitted to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, and then transferred to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988.
A member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York State Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association, Dr Helm-Van Kleeck holds certification in advanced orthopedics. She has a special interest in orthopedics and general surgery.
Dr. Helm-Van Kleeck and her husband Peter have 4 children.
Outside of the hospital Dr. Helm-Van Kleeck's interests inculde gardening, biking, fishing, and maintaining historic farms.

Michael Troy Verra, D.V.M.;M.S.;D.A.B.V.P.

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 Michael Troy Verra is a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practioners;  certified in canine and feline practice. He has practiced with Pine Plains Veterinary Associates since 1/1/2010.
Dr. Verra says that his earliest veterinary influence was his collie;  Verra's Golden Dutchess.  He also grew up with a number of pets;  which helped instill in him a compassion for animals and a desire to care for them.
Dr. Verra attended Rutgers University for his undergraduate studies. He was named George H. Cook honor scholar and received a bacholor of  science in Preveterinary Medicine in 1980. He then went on to The University of Georgia where he earned a master of science in Veterinary Cardiopulmonary Physiology and pharmacology. After finishing his degree; 
Dr. Verra continued at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1986.
His areas of special professional interest include Echocardiography;  Ultrasonography;  Endoscopy;  Bronchoscopy; Rhinoscopy;  Colonoscopy;  Cystoscopy;  Otoscopy;  Electrocardiology; and Ultrasound guided biopsy procedures. He is a member of The American Veterinary Medical Association;  New York State Veterinary Medical Society;  Capital District Veterinary Medical Society;  and The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
Dr. Verra and his wife Deanie Crane Verra;  R.N.;M.S.;C.N.O.R.; enjoy spending time together. They share their home with a Collie named Dutchess;  an African Gray named Bilbo;  a Conure named Paulie;  an Amazon Parrot named Lolita;  and a fresh water aquarium. 
Away from the hospital Michael's and Deanie's interests include water skiing,  air chairing,  knee boarding,  double tubing, snow skiing,  snowmobiling,  kayaking,  all terrain vehicle riding,  bicycling, and chipping.  He adds that " My Lord and my family are my motivation for all that I do."




   Dr. Holly Kalba, DVM

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Dr. Kalba joined our team in September 2018. She did her undergraduate studies at Northland College in Ashland Wisconsin where she met her husband. Dr Kalba completed her Veterinary studies at Cornell University and received her degree in 1994.  She had an internship at Oradell Animal Hospital from 1994-1995. She is credited with AAHA, AAFP, Pallatire and is Hospice care certified, she is trained in fear free and is canine rehabilitation trained.

Dr. Kalba is originally from Tully, NY , She moved to The Hudson Valley in 1990 and has practiced here since 1995.
Holly has 2 teenage children who were active in scouting for years and she was an active volunteer for both girls scouts and boy scouts when her kids were younger. She has since then pursued advanced training in canine rehabilitation. 

Holly's has special interest in internal medicine, critical care & abdominal ultrasonography from newborns to geriatric care.


Office Hours

Monday - Friday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday:
7:30 - 2:00 PM
Contact Us

Pine Plains Veterinary Hospital
2826 Church Street
Pine Plains, NY 12567
Get Directions

Phone: 518-398-9494
Fax 518-398-9696
Email:ppva@optonline.net
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  • Home
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Veterinarians
    • What's new at our Hospital
  • Services
    • Your Pet's Surgery
    • Pet Dental Care
    • Boarding And Grooming
    • Emergency Services