Meet Our Veterinary Team

Dr. Skalos is from the Zelienople / Harmony area, however he grew up as part of a military family and has lived in various places around the world. He earned his Bachelor's in Biology, with minors in both chemistry and human resource management from Slippery Rock University. From there, he received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Skalos then completed a post-docorate internship at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Minnesota, where he focused on small animal medicine and surgery. Initially, he spent years practicing emergency medicine, including Bluepearl here in Pittsburgh.  However, practice ownership has always been a dream for him and that is when he decided to open his own hospital - Windrose Animal Hospital. His professional interests include anesthesiology, pain management, cardiology, and business management.

 Dr. Skalos is an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and a Certified Cicerone. In his limited free time, he can be found enjoying the outdoors, watching sports, or checking out local breweries with his Wife, Daughter, and their dogs. 

Dr. Judson Smith is a Boston, MA, native. After graduating with a history degree from Bates College in 2010, he spent a few years working in the financial consulting world, before deciding to switch careers into Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Judson started as a kennel tech south of Boston and would eventually graduate with high honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. During his time at Illinois, he was active in the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) and created his college’s first Wellness and Mental Health Committee. He then went on to complete an intense, specialized internship program at North Carolina State University Veterinary Hospital where he refined his love for veterinary neurology, cardiology, and internal medicine. Dr. Judson is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and has completed a multitude of courses in Fear Free handling of dogs and cats. Dr. Judson worked for a General Practice in the Atlanta area before moving to Mars to be closer to family.

​Outside of Dr. Judson’s passion for veterinary medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife, a Butler PA native, speech language pathologist, and dance teacher in the Valencia area. Dr. Judson is an avid Boston sports fan (but Go Steelers!), enjoys playing hockey, cooking, reading, and spending time with his three young children and his lab mix named Poti (Poh-dee).

Dr. Johnson is a Pittsburgh native and grew up in the McCandless area. She earned her Bachelor's in Biology from Carlow University in 2011 and received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Dr. Johnson practiced small animal medicine in Kansas City, MO after graduation from veterinary school until recently. Her growing extended family brought her back to Pittsburgh the summer of 2019 to continue practicing small animal medicine.  Dr. Johnson’s professional interests include surgery and behavioral consultations.  

Outside of work, Dr. Johnson enjoys time with her husband and three dogs, hiking, camping, and snowboarding. 

Dr. Alexis D'Amato is originally from the North Hills area and couldn't be more excited to be back in Pittsburgh.   She earned her undergraduate degree at Marshall University with a bachelors in Biology and minors in French, Chemistry, and Fiber Arts and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. During her clinical year she spent time in the Galapagos Islands providing medical and surgical care to a community in need. After graduation Dr. D'Amato began working in a combined general practice and emergency clinic before deciding to move to GP full time. Her professional interests include, dermatology, soft tissue surgery and ultrasound.

Outside of work she enjoys travelling, painting, and scouring thrift stores for treasures.

Dr. Pease grew up in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. She is very excited to see all of your furry, fluffy, feathered, and scaled friends!

She completed undergrad at the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s in both Biology and Music and a Minor in Chemistry.  She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. 

 Dr. Pease focused her clinical year on dogs, cats, and exotic pets. She was an extern at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium and the National Aviary. After graduation, she has worked in dog/cat and exotics general practices and was a zoo veterinarian at the National Aviary!

Her professional interests include exotics medicine, soft tissue surgery, and internal medicine.

Outside of work she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, 3 cats, and family and friends, traveling, and finding great new music!

Dr. Kelly Acierno grew up in the McCandless area. She earned her Bachelor’s in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences from Penn State University. From there she went on to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine graduating in 2023. Her interests include dogs, cats, and exotics. She is also very well versed in equine medicine but prefers horses more as a hobby. Outside of work she enjoys reading, archery, traveling, and spending quality time with her dog and 2 guinea pigs. 

Joining us in June of 2024, Dr. Mell has lived in Pittsburgh her whole life, growing up in the West End. She completed her undergraduate education at Penn State University, where she earned her Bachelor's in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. While at Penn State, she raised a service dog, which sparked her interest in animal behavior. She then went on to attend Lincoln Memorial University College earning her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests include: preventative medicine, behavior, and soft tissue surgery. Outside of work, she enjoys watching movies, playing board games, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Rockter is originally from the North Hills area and recently moved back to Pittsburgh. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Wittenberg University with a major in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Art. She then spent a year working as a Veterinary Assistant at Wexford Veterinary Hospital before starting Veterinary school. She graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine with a clinical focus on dogs, cats, and exotics. After graduation, Dr. Rockter went into practice at an Urgent Care in Rochester, NY before moving back to Pittsburgh to join Windrose Animal Hospital. Her professional interests include soft tissue surgery, small mammal exotic medicine and surgery, and ultrasonography.

Outside of work, Dr. Rockter loves to spend time with her family and friends and partakes in some highly competitive board game nights. She also enjoys hiking, playing field hockey, and attending live music events.