Learn who we are and why we care.
Pet Orthopedics was created to give families access to high-quality, focused surgical care without unnecessary delays or confusion. We make the process clear, affordable, and built around your pet’s comfort.
A practice shaped by purpose and pets.
From his Montana ranch roots to years in general medicine, Dr. Chad Pilgeram’s path has always centered around caring for animals and helping them heal. As the founder of Pet Orthopedics, that mission lives on. We focus solely on orthopedic care—delivering high-quality surgery, personal guidance, and thoughtful follow-up that ensures your pet’s healing is as steady as it is supported.
Our promise to pet families.
Real Expertise

We focus only on orthopedic surgery—cruciate knee tears, luxating patellas, fractures, and more—so your pet gets care from a team that’s done it thousands of times before.
Personalized Experience
You’ll speak with real people, not a call center. Our team follows your pet’s case from start to finish so nothing gets lost and every detail stays in focus.
Straightforward Process
There are no hoops to jump through—just a direct, respectful approach to surgery, recovery, and communication. You’ll know exactly what comes next.
Built for better orthopedic outcomes.
We built Pet Orthopedics because we saw a gap between primary care and specialty hospitals—one that left pets waiting and families overwhelmed.
We’re here to close that gap with clear options, up-front pricing, and dedicated follow-up care. Our model keeps things personal — so you get real communication, compassionate support, and surgery that fits your pet’s needs, not a one-size-fits-all system.
Meet the team behind the care.
Chad Pilgeram, DVM
Surgeon
Chad Pilgeram, DVM
Surgeon
Dr Chad Pilgeram grew up in Plains, Montana. Growing up on a farm and cattle ranch in western Montana, he has always enjoyed being active outdoors and being around animals. This early path shines through in just about everything he pursues. After undergraduate studies at Montana State University, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1991 from the Oregon State University/Washington State University collaborative program.
After graduating from veterinary school, he and his wife, Denise (also a veterinarian), settled in the rural Yakima Valley. Being in a busy agricultural area, surgical skills were necessary to help dogs and cats recover from all categories of injuries. This solidified his interest in surgery and eventually led to a narrower career progression, now limited to helping dogs and cats recover from a wide range of treatments for traumatic and athletic orthopedic injuries. He has been driven by his love of seeing animals recover from injuries and their incredible ability to heal.
He now resides in north Spokane County. His grown daughters, Natalie and Rachel, are no longer living at home, but he and his wife of 35 years will continue to be surrounded by pets and animals. When not in the surgery room, he can often be found engaged in activities involving family and friends, encouraging them to participate in some energetic outdoor gatherings. He enjoys gardening, hiking, backpacking, adventure traveling, and is a lifelong runner.
Katherine Alley, DVM
Surgeon
Katherine Alley, DVM
Surgeon
Katherine was born in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 2005, continuing to serve 5 years in the US Marine Corps after graduation as a legal administration officer. She discovered a love of medicine while working as a volunteer for a Combined Medical Exercise, helping to teach Iraqi civilians basic medical care during her deployment in 2007. After her deployment to Iraq, she continued her medical education while serving in the Marines stateside by becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and working on an ambulance on weekends, stationed in Arizona.
After an honorable discharge from the Marines, she attended Colorado State University, where she graduated with a Master's degree in Biomedical Science and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Katherine has a love of sports and athletic movement, competing in cross-country ski events in the winter and mountain biking events in the summer. She has attended numerous continuing education courses over the years to refine her skills in evaluating lameness in animals and, when necessary, pursuing surgical treatment. She loves helping her patients recover from injuries and seeing them return to the activities they love.
Natalie
Staff
Natalie
Staff
Natalie has been in the veterinary field for over 20 years. She started her career path in Colorado, working at a clinic while going to pre-vet medicine program in Denver. This is where she started her interest in orthopedics, working with a traveling specialist. That experience prepared her to take on the position in orthopedics when she moved to Spokane in 2011, and started working with Dr. Chad Pilgeram. In 2022 she took on the role of nurse coordinator for Pet Orthopedics and has thoroughly enjoyed communicating with clients about surgery ever since. In her spare time, she runs a small hobby farm with a whole menagerie of critters. She also enjoys gardening, kayaking, hiking, camping and skiing in the winter.
Stephanie
Staff
Stephanie
Staff
Stephanie has over 20 years of veterinary experience and 10 years working with Pet Orthopedics. As our behind-the-scenes go-to organizer, she keeps everything in order. When she's not at work, Stephanie enjoys gardening, restoring antiques, and spending time with her cat, Stewart.
Kenzie
Staff
Kenzie
Staff
Kenzie is a trusted, experienced certified veterinary assistant with over eight years of experience in veterinary medicine, including work in emergency care and orthopedics. She has a deep dedication to patient care and works closely with the veterinarians and hospital staff to ensure that animals receive the highest quality of treatment. Outside of work, she finds joy in spending time with her four dogs and remains driven by her lifelong passion for animals.
