Meet our Team

Dr. Claunch's passion for veterinary medicine began with taking care of her first cat, Zippy. After that, zoo trips, camping, hiking, and beach trips fueled her decision to become a Veterinarian. For a long time, Dr. Claunch believed she would specialize in zoo animal and wildlife medicine, but has since found the joy of working with smaller, furry, friends.

Although she was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, she is delighted to be here in New England! Dr. Claunch attended Boston University, where she studied Biology. After finishing her undergraduate in three years, she was excited to achieve her life goal of becoming a veterinarian. She graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013.

Since finishing vet school, she has worked in both Orlando, Florida as well as Whitinsville, Massachusettes. Dr. Claunch happily cares for all small mammals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats, mice, gerbils, and hamsters.

When she first began practicing veterinary medicine, she was drawn to surgery and dentistry. Since then, she has learned to love every aspect of being a general practice veterinarian. Dr. Claunch says, "While I still love doing procedures, I am rewarded most by the relationships developed with my clients as we work to keep their furry family members happy and healthy. As Medical Director, I look forward to not only caring for your family as a veterinarian but also looking for ways to continually improve our clinic to provide the best care we can."

When she isn't working, she spends her free time with her family. To relax, she enjoys yoga, gardening, and wandering around new places, especially exploring breweries, vineyards, and wineries.

I am Danielle Friend, a 1995 graduate of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. I have been practicing medicine and surgery in Massachusetts since the summer of 1996, spending 8 ½ years at a large, progressive small animal practice in Dracut. I purchased the Holden Veterinary Clinic in July of 2006 and am proud to be a member of the Holden community. Your companion’s well being and best interest is of primary importance to me and the members of this hospital. Here are my promises to you and your companions:

I commit to helping you prevent your companions and families from getting sick. This will include recommended vaccinations, antiparasitic agents, and educational information on foods and regular maintenance needed to keep your companions healthy. My job is to answer questions and educate you on what preventive measures are best for your companion and his or her lifestyle.

I commit to detecting problems with your companions as early as possible. This will be done through regular examinations, routine blood screening, and discussions with you on changes you have noticed at home. Healthy patients should be examined 1-2 times annually, and routine serial blood screens should be done at least once a year. Radiographs (X-rays) may also be a part of this early detection process. By recognizing problems earlier, we can work together to help stop or slow down some disease processes.

I commit to diagnosing your companion’s illness if he/she becomes sick to the best of my abilities, and, by explaining things so that you understand, work with you to come up with the best course of action to get your companion well again. This may include treatment here at the Holden Veterinary Clinic or referral to a veterinary specialist or specialty center.

I promise that my staff and I will remain current by attending veterinary conferences, lectures, and labs, bringing this information back here to better care for you and your companions.

I care for dogs and cats, as well as small mammals such as guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice. I have a strong interest in internal medicine, ophthalmology, and dentistry, proudly bringing new techniques to Holden. I look forward to working with you and gaining your trust over the many years I plan to spend here, both as a veterinarian and as a member of the Holden community. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my two beautiful daughters, my friend’s, being outdoors and playing tennis.

I am Dr. Bridget D’Onofrio, a 2011 graduate of Mississippi State University- College of Veterinary Medicine. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Pre-Veterinary Science at UMass- Amherst. I grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts but currently reside in Paxton. My veterinary focus is canine and feline patients and is especially interested in preventive medicine, especially prevention of behavioral problems. I love to teach people how to care for their animals and to positively influence the human-animal bond.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, soon to be son, and our two dogs. I am also very interested in health and fitness. Family is very important to me and that is why we moved back to the area to be close to our loved ones.

I look forward to working with you and help you take care of your furry family members!