Meet Our Veterinarians

Dr. Amanda Crawford, DVM, DACVAA, serves as the Director of Specialty Services at Westford Veterinary. She earned her DVM degree from The Ohio State University in 2015.

Following graduation, Dr. Crawford completed a Small Animal Internship at Tufts University and a Zoological Medicine and Surgery Internship at Colorado State University and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, where she developed an interest in anesthetic management for exotic species.

After a year in emergency practice, she pursued an Anesthesia Internship at the University of Pennsylvania and later completed her Anesthesia and Pain Management Residency at Tufts University in 2022. Dr. Crawford became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2023.

Her professional interests include critical care anesthesia, ultrasound-guided local anesthetic techniques, and pain management, especially for chronic conditions, to enhance her patient’s quality of life.

Her primary goal is to provide compassionate and high-quality anesthetic care to all animals in her care. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Crawford enjoys hiking, baking intricate desserts, and spending time with her husband, young daughter, their dog, cats, and snakes.

Dr. Rachel Duffany, with 10 years of veterinary experience, attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

She prides herself on delivering excellent patient care and fostering clear communication with clients. Her goal is to ensure pet owners fully understand their pets’ conditions and have all the necessary information to make informed decisions about their care.

Outside of work, Dr. Duffany enjoys reading, hiking with her dogs (two German Shepherds and two pit bull mixes), traveling, and embracing the busy role of a toddler’s personal assistant.

Born and raised in Vermont, Dr. Wright developed a passion for animals at a young age. He pursued this interest at the University of Vermont, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science. After several years with Cornell University, Dr. Wright embarked on his journey to become a veterinarian, completing his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Ross University where he graduated with highest honors.

After graduating Dr. Wright moved to Massachusetts where he worked in general practice five years before shifting his focus to emergency medicine. As an emergency clinician, he combines his expertise in surgery and internal medicine to provide compassionate, practical care for his patients. He is especially passionate about partnering with clients to find effective solutions in their time of need.

When not caring for pets in the emergency room, Dr. Wright enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including boating, hiking, and skiing. A dedicated family man, he also loves watching football and barbecuing with his loved ones—both human and animal. He has five furry companions—three cats and two dogs— to ensure there is never a dull moment at home.

A Massachusetts native, Dr. Sheela Kerr always wanted to be a veterinarian. She grew up always seeming to find the stray cat to bring home and pet sitting for all the neighborhood animals.

After graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, she moved to Indiana, where she studied veterinary medicine at Purdue University. Upon earning her DVM degree in 2005, she moved back to Massachusetts.

Dr. Kerr has been working in small animal medicine ever since. Previously, she has been employed at various general practices in Central Massachusetts. While she enjoyed the relationship developed with both clients and patients, she decided to join Westford Veterinary Emergency and Referral Center and switch from preventative medicine to urgent care.

Dr. Kerr enjoys reading, camping, hiking, and spending time with her family outside of work. She and her husband abide by the law of twos—two dogs, two cats, two kids—to keep their lives crazy yet manageable.

Dr. Carney was born and raised in Arlington, Massachusetts, and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tufts University. She then worked for three years as an ICU nurse at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston before attending St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada.

Following veterinary school, she completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists in New York City, then completed a Small Animal Internal Medicine residency at the University of Minnesota in 2010. She worked in Springfield, MA, and Waltham, MA, before joining Westford Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital in 2017.

Dr. Carney has particular interests in immune-mediated diseases and endocrine disorders, although she treats a wide variety of internal medicine cases. In her free time, she enjoys rooting for Boston sports teams and spending time with family.

Dr. Ashley Hegler, DVM, DACVIM, was born and raised in Miami, FL. She graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BS in Biology and Psychology in 2011 and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Upon graduation from veterinary school, she performed a rotating internship in CT at VCA VREC and Shoreline. Dr. Hegler completed her residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Louisiana State University and became board-certified in 2019. Dr. Hegler returned back to CT, working in specialty private practice from 2019 until 2023 before moving to MA to be closer to friends and family.

Dr. Hegler’s professional interests include infectious disease, immune-mediated disease, gastrointestinal disease, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, endocrinology, hepatobiliary disease, and urinary disease.

When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and getting lost in a really great book.

Dr. Buechner has a true passion for veterinary ophthalmology, finding immense joy in working with her patients and their owners. She takes great pride in excellent client communication, top-tier patient care, and utilizing fear-free methodologies to ensure a comfortable experience for every animal. With expertise in a wide range of surgical options, she finds nothing more rewarding than restoring vision to a once-blind pet.

Outside of work, Dr. Buechner is an avid hiker and is currently tackling the “52 With a View” New Hampshire mountains list. She loves spending time with her husband, two children, and their beloved 4-year-old Labrador, Rufus. A passionate reader and traveler, she frequently visits Canada, where her family resides.

She takes great pride in fostering close relationships with both her patients and clients, ensuring that they feel supported throughout the recovery process, whether for short- or long-term physical rehabilitation.

Dr. Palmer enjoys making the journey of recovery easier by addressing challenges and making at-home adjustments for her patients. In her free time, she loves spending quality moments with her family, walking around the lake near their home, cheering on the Celtics, and getting lost in a good book.