Dr. Pilkerton was raised in Clements, Maryland on her family's tobacco and hog farm. She graduated from St. Mary's Ryken High School in 1997and earned her Bachelor's degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland in 2001. Following graduation, Dr. Pilkerton received the Kirby Foundation Fellowship which allowed her to participate in cancer research at Johns Hopkins University for two years. Dr. Pilkerton received her DVM degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008.  

Dr. Pilkerton's professional interests include cardiology, endoscopy and ultrasonography. She keeps her skills up to date by attending local and national continuing education meetings.

She lives locally with her husband and two daughters. She is owned by her cat "Henry".