After graduation, he completed a highly selective one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sawyer spent several years working as an Associate Veterinarian at other Massachusetts veterinary hospitals prior to opening PawSteps Veterinary Center in 2008. He also worked as a part time as the Veterinary Surgeon for the Massachusetts Animal Coalition Spay/Neuter Program at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Luke and Lily Lerner Spay/Neuter Clinic where he provided low-cost, high-quality spays and neuters to shelter and rescue animals with the assistance of selected Tufts veterinary students.

Dr. Sawyer has been a proud supporter of Northbridge and the Blackstone Valley communities for many years, taking time away from his practice to participate at local high school career fairs as well as collaborating on other veterinary and small business educational opportunities. In addition to helping the people of the Blackstone Valley, Dr. Sawyer and his staff have provided significant support to several of the area animal rescues, including Dog Orphans and their annual Walk for Paws dog walk as well as the Pet Rock Festival. Dr. Sawyer is most importantly the proud father to Alison and Kevin, his occasionally enthusiastic observers of veterinary medicine and hesitant scoopers of dog poo, but always infinite source of inspiration and devotion.

His extended family includes quite a few 4-legged furry “kids” but Beatris (“Tris” as she is known), a Plott hound mix and Spud, the slightly voluptuous black feline who drools like a hound dog when he is happy and wears pink nail caps to prevent furniture scratching, are the only two with whom he lives.  Unfortunately, Dr. Sawyer’s long-term companion and first patient at PawSteps Veterinary Center, Jasmine, passed away in 2014 at the too early age of 13 – she will always be missed. When not at the veterinary center, Dr. Sawyer likes to walk Tris around the area parks, hike and canoe/kayak with his family, and mountain bike (ideally without crashing) – he also likes the all too often Netflix binge. Dr. Sawyer’s greatest desire is to use his excellent medical experience to provide each of his patients with quality, personalized veterinary care. Therefore, he is thrilled to own PawSteps Veterinary Center and looks forward to being your family veterinarian.

Dr. Sawyer considers membership in the veterinary profession and continuing education critical to providing superb care to his patients. He maintains memberships with:  AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)  MVMA (Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association)  VIN (Veterinary Information Network) …and regularly seeks Continuing Education at the North American Veterinary Conference as well as other programs.

Dr. Barr attended the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and was an active member of on-campus organizations and community outreach programs. After graduating with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Barr completed a one year rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the VCA South Shore Weymouth Animal Hospital. After a busy year honing her skills with emergency cases, internal medicine, and surgery, Dr. Barr is very excited to be joining PawSteps Veterinary Center!

Dr. Barr lives in Grafton with her husband, son and daughter, and their four-legged family members.  In her free time, she loves to bake cookies, go for hikes, and do yoga.

Dr. Altobelli’s interests include internal medicine and exotic medicine. Dr. Altobelli is very excited to be back in the Massachusetts where she is closer to friends and family. Her personal interests include traveling and spending time outdoors.

Whenever Dr. Bemis has free time, she loves to ride her adorable Haflinger horse named Max whom she acquired during her adventures in Iowa. She also added a beautiful, but neurologically challenged Ibizan hound named Imogene to the family. Imogene makes everyone who sees her smile as her enthusiasm for life and just being a dog is completely unimpaired by her wobbly walk. While Dr. Bemis doesn’t have a lot of spare time, she and Phineas, her Brittany, have also started some beginner agility classes.  When Phineas isn’t running, jumping, and diving through tunnels, he enjoys playing tug as well as snuggling with Dr. Bemis when she finally has time to relax and read a good fantasy book. Last, but not least, Dr. Bemis has two cats, Charlie and Lucy, who have been very tolerant of all the moving, but are grateful to be able to settle down back in Massachusetts.

While in Iowa, I acquired my adorable Haflinger horse named Max and love going out horseback riding whenever I have free time. I also added a beautiful, but neurologic Ibizan hound named Imogene to my family who makes everyone who sees her smile. My cats Charlie and Lucy have been very tolerant of all the moving but are ready to stay in one place. In my spare time, my dog Phineas and I started trying out some beginner agility and enjoy playing together and snuggling up to read a book afterwards.