Meet Our Veterinary Team

Whitney Bowe

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Hi, my name is Whitney Bowe. I was born and raised in Western New York. I received my Associate’s degree in veterinary medicine at Delhi University in 1985 and became a Licensed Veterinary Technician in January of 1986. I worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in New York for a short time and then moved to Florida. In 1987, I started managing and working at Boynton Trail Animal Clinic, where I soon met my late husband of 28 years, Dr. William C. Bowe. We eventually opened our own Clinic, Village Square Veterinary Clinic of Boynton Beach, Florida. In 2005, we sold the business and partially retired to Western NC, which we had come to love during our annual vacations to the area.

I worked part-time for 9 years at Morganton Animal Clinic, but after I became a widow, I started working full-time at Burke Animal Clinic in 2015, and have been here ever since.

My hobbies with my fiancé include showing our Exotic Shorthair cats, Malachi and Caspian, in CFA cat shows. Malachi is a Grand Premier Regional Winner (12th Best Cat in the region), and Caspian is a Grand Premier National Winner (3rd best cat in the region and 20th best cat in the nation!). I also enjoy country dancing, boating, fishing, and camping in our Forest River camper.

Whitney is also active with her cat-sitting services (unassociated with Burke Animal Clinic). For more information, contact us, and we will have her get in touch with you.

Dr. Linda Schilkowsky

Veterinarian

Dr. Linda Schilkowsky earned her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Georgia in 1981, and is a 1985 graduate of the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. A lifelong “farm girl”, she spent most of her childhood in horse and dairy country in western New York state and north Georgia. As a child and teenager, she found the greatest joy in the barn with her horses or hanging out with the family’s dogs and cats. She began her career in mixed practice in Elberton, Georgia. From there, she decided to switch to full-time small animal medicine, working in practices in Charlotte, NC, and Rome, Georgia, before launching a career as a relief veterinarian. As a relief vet, she traveled to fill in at practices that needed temporary help.

The Schilkowsky family moved to Morganton in 2003. Dr. Linda worked at Burke Animal Clinic from 2004 until 2013, doing most of the surgery and getting to know the patients and clients. In 2013, she transitioned to emergency medicine, working most weekends at a veterinary emergency service in Reidsville, NC. While she loved the challenge of emergency medicine, she missed her family and pets on the weekends. When Dr. McMahon offered to sell her this practice, she jumped at the chance.

Dr. Schilkowsky married her best friend and college sweetheart, Carl, a retired teacher who coaches track and lacrosse at Patton High School, in 1984. They have three children, all graduates of Patton High School: John is a graduate of Cornell University, working as a physical therapist in Providence, Rhode Island. He and his wife, Rachel, have blessed Dr. Linda and Carl with two beautiful grandchildren, Charlotte and Thomas. Ellen Schilkowsky Gianikos recently moved to the Hartford, Connecticut area, with her husband, Zach. She is a 2025 graduate of the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, and practices small animal medicine at Fenton River Veterinary Hospital. Jonathan Hall, who joined the Schilkowsky family in early 2016, served as a combat medic in the United States Army Reserves. He is a graduate of East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. He and his wife, Kira, are currently deciding on their next career move. Dr. Linda and Carl also share their lives with two cats, three dogs, two horses, and a smart potbelly pig named Einswine. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing with her animals, canoeing, hiking, and traveling.

Brett Wood, DVM, MS Diplomate, ACVS

Visiting Surgery Specialist

Brett Wood, a board-certified veterinary surgeon, provides advanced surgical care, safe anesthesia, and superior pain management for pets across Western and Central North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Dr. Wood is one of the few local surgeons originally certified (by the Slocum group in 2000) to perform the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) procedure for cruciate ligament tears. In addition, he specializes in many other soft tissue and orthopedic procedures, with a particular interest in fracture repairs and oncologic surgeries.

After earning a Master’s in Resource Ecology from Duke University and serving four years in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, Dr. Wood graduated from NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. He completed a surgical internship and residency at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, achieving board certification in 2005. With experience at leading surgical practices in New Hampshire, New York, and New Mexico, Dr. Wood has been practicing and living in North Carolina with his wife, Kymberly, their daughter, Taylor, and their pets since 2013. In 2020, Dr. Wood developed the first referral-level mobile surgical service based in the Asheville area and continues to provide mobile services to local veterinarians and pet owners.

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Alyssa Iorio

Veterinary Assistant

My name is Alyssa. I’ve worked at Burke Animal Clinic since 2022. I started off working the front desk, getting to know customers and their furry companions. I have always enjoyed working with animals. Now, working as an assistant, I get to work alongside the best team that has one goal: to help your furry companions live happy, healthy lives. In my free time, I enjoy being outside with my family and dogs.

Katie Bivens

Receptionist and Veterinary Assistant

Hello, my name is Katie Bivens. I grew up in Charlotte, NC, and moved to Burke County in 2007. I moved to the foothills, where there is less traffic, and there is not a jumbo jet flying over every half hour. I am an amateur archer who is not a bad shot. My driving passion is helping animals. I have eight cats (Muffin, Scarlet, Tar-baby, Stripey, Oreo, Scout, Wendy, Simon) and one dog (Auggie). I am currently completing my education to be a registered Veterinary Technician at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

Tracey Thompson

Office Manager

Hi, my name is Tracey Thompson. I have been with Burke Animal Clinic since 2019, transitioning to veterinary medicine after several years as a dental assistant. I began in the receptionist position, but was excited to be promoted to office manager in late 2020. I received a veterinary assistant degree in 2008 and absolutely love every minute I spend with any fur baby! I am a single mother to a 19-year-old son, who is enrolled in the psychology program at Appalachian State University.

My hobbies include hiking, fishing, and anything that has to do with water or Mother Nature! I also enjoy spending time with my two “fur children”, Champ and Theo. Theo is a 4-year-old Saint Bernadoodle, and Champ is a three-year-old rescue pitbull. Between work and family, both human and furry, I stay very busy, but I take every chance I get to spend time in the great outdoors.

Jessica Hawkins

Veterinary Assistant

Hello, my name is Jessica, and I am a veterinary assistant at Burke Animal Clinic. I am originally from New York State, not the City, and I moved here in 2022. I started working here in October of 2023. I have two children, a 13-year-old and a 7-year-old. I have three animals: an 8-year-old pitbull who moved here with us, my black long-haired cat that I adopted through one of our clients, and an American Bully who is almost a year old. I enjoy spending time with my kids, going to the park, lake, and dinner twice a week at my sister’s home. In my previous jobs, I was a PCA and a residential assistant. I never thought I would be working with animals, but I really enjoy it!

David Hardin

Custodian

My name is David Hardin, and this is Toby. I am the custodian at Burke Animal Clinic. I have enjoyed working with the staff and Dr. Linda. Great group of people who want the best for your animals. Best clinic and doctor in town.