Peake Brook Veterinary Center
Meet Our Team
Our Veterinarians
At Peake Brook Veterinary Center, our compassionate, experienced, and professional staff understand that your pets are members of your family – and as such, their well-being is of the utmost importance.
Gwenn Gaumond, MS, DVM
Founding Veterinarian
Dr. Gaumond is a lifelong resident of northeastern Connecticut. She attended the University of Connecticut; obtaining both a BS in Animal Science and a MS in Pathobiology. She then attended Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Gaumond established Dr. Gwenn Mobile Vet, a progressive, full service mobile practice in 2018. In 2020, Dr. Gaumond and her husband, Sean, purchased the Woodstock Medical Center building from Dr. Ron Klare and his wife Joy. The former human medical office was transformed to a more than 8,000 sq ft state of the art veterinary clinic. Peake Brook Veterinary Center opened in August of 2021. Dr. Gwenn continues to pursue professional alliances, currently serving as the Treasurer of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association. Dr Gewnn enjoys spending time with her three cats, Bailey, Milo and Jane. She also enjoys scuba diving and race cars when she has the rare opportunity to take time off.
Charles Nystrom, DVM
Dr. Nystrom grew up in Northwest Arkansas among the Ozark Mountains. He received his B.S. in Biology from Wheaton College (IL) in 2018 and his DVM from Cornell University in 2022. When not at the practice, Dr. Nystrom enjoys brewing kombucha, growing chestnut trees, making music, reading, writing, hammocking, and getting lost in nature.
Dr. Elizabeth Middleton, DVM
Dr. Middleton was raised in Colchester, CT. She earned her degree in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. Following veterinary school, she moved back to New England to be with her family. When not at the clinic, Dr. Middleton enjoys trail running, reading, baking, and caring for her family’s small hobby farm of goats and chickens.
Donna Grant, MSW, LCSW
Office Administrator, Veterinary Social Worker
Donna brings a lifetime of animal husbandry and passion to Peake Brook. She is a graduate of Rhode Island College, where she completed her MSW. Donna is no stranger to Northeast CT. After a long tenure as the Executive Director of TEEG, and school counseling roles with Killingly High School and Rectory School, she now focuses on her psychotherapy practice and her time at Peake Brook, offering professional support to both clients and staff. When not at the practice, you can find Donna spreading ‘poodle joy’ throughout the Quiet Corner or out in her garden.
Samantha Miller, Office Manager
Samantha brings more than 13 years of experience in veterinary medicine, including several years in veterinary leadership and management. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong passion for creating positive experiences for clients, patients, and veterinary teams alike. She believes that strong communication, teamwork, and a positive workplace culture are essential to providing exceptional veterinary care. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and 2 cats.
Aimee, Office Coordinator
Aimee has been with Peake Brook since opening day in August of 2021. A true “Jack of all Trades,” Aimee’s role has grown alongside the practice. Making sure that our equipment is running, our pharmacy is stocked, and all the supplies needed to perform surgery or effectively execute patient appointments are just a few of the jobs that keep Aimee busy all day. When she is not at her desk at Peake Brook, Aimee enjoys spending time with her husband and family, including her beloved Mastiff Abraham, or time in her garden.
Jayne
Bookkeeper
Jayne has been a resident of Thompson, CT since 1974. She and her husband, Warren, founded Chase Road Growers, supplying farm fresh vegetables and cutting flowers to the community for 35 years. Now enjoying retirement and a little bit of travel, Jayne spends part of her weekdays at Peake Brook helping to keep the business running smoothly.
Lucy, CVCSR
Lead Client Service Representative
Lucy is a life-long resident of Northeast CT and joined Peake Brook in 2022. She brought experience in customer service and sales from the livestock and pet care industry. Since joining the team, Lucy has earned her Certified Veterinary Client Service Representative (CVCSR) certification. When she is not behind our front desk, Lucy enjoys spending time with her partner, working in their gardens, and caring for their animals on their small hobby farm.
Stephanie, AS, CVT, AVA
Lead Veterinary Technician II
Stephanie joined the Peake Brook team in 2025, bringing over 10 years of experience in veterinary general practice, emergency and diagnostic laboratory. She has extensive experience in leading clinical teams and is an enthusiastic team leader and peer mentor. Outside of work Stephanie loves to spend quality time with her 2 children and her Great Dane, Joy!
Crystal
Veterinary Technician II
Crystal joined Peake Brook in 2023 after working at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, where she cared for hospitalized patients as a veterinary technician. With more than 10 years of experience in the veterinary field, Crystal is committed to continually developing her skills and expanding her knowledge to provide the best possible care for your pets every day. She is a well-rounded technician, skillfully managing appointments, procedures, assisting with surgery, and monitoring anesthesia. When Crystal has a day off, she enjoys spending her time outdoors with her young family, including her two children, two Huskies and two cats.
Jocelyn, AS
Veterinary Technician II
Jocelyn joined the Peake Brook team in 2022 and graduated in 2025 with an associate degree in Veterinary Technology. She enjoys continuing to grow her knowledge and skills in veterinary medicine while helping provide quality care to our patients. Outside of the hospital, Jocelyn enjoys pet sitting, spending quality time with friends and family, and relaxing at home with her two cats, Blue and Phoebe!
Katrina, CVT
Veterinary Technician II
Katrina is the newest member of our team and brings five years of experience in the veterinary field. She graduated from CT State Community College with an associate degree in Veterinary Science in 2025 and passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination in June of that year, earning her Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) credential. Katrina brings passion, skill, and experience to the team. When she is not working, she can be found spending time with her family and friends, and riding horses.
Brianna
Veterinary Technician I
Brianna brings her life-long love for animals and enthusiasm for working with them to her role at Peake Brook. She enjoys being part of a team dedicated to providing compassionate care to pets and their families. Outside of work, Brianna enjoys reading and spending time with … who else? Her two cats, Australian shepherd, and retired research beagle, as well as fostering dogs in need of a loving home!
Celeste
Veterinary Technician I
Celeste joined Peake Brook in the fall of 2024, bringing with her a life-long passion for canine care. She also brings years of experience in animal husbandry. She has been raised in the ‘family’ of purebred dogs and has been breeding purebred Poodles since childhood. When she is not at Peake Brook, Celeste is an accomplished competitive groomer who shows her Poodles at AKC and UKC events nationwide.
Matthew
Veterinary Assistant
Matthew joined the Peake Brook team during his junior year of high school, seeking an opportunity to shadow a veterinarian in pursuit of direction as he considered future career options. Matthew joined the staff as a Veterinary Assistant following his spring job shadow, deciding that veterinary medicine would be his future. Currently in his second year at UMass Amhurst, Matthew continues to keep his eye on the goal of graduating from vet school. When he is not helping us at Peake Brook or studying, Matthew enjoys raising Geckos. Ultimately, dogs, cats, and exotics will keep him busy!
Gwen
Veterinary Assistant
Gwen grew up locally in a veterinary family. Following her father’s footsteps, Gwen is an undergraduate at Tufts University and hopes to continue her studies at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. We look forward to one day congratulating her as “Dr. Gwen”!