 Ostrum became interested in horses when he returned from shooting Willy Wonka , and was particularly influenced by the veterinarian that tended to them . Receiving his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 , Ostrum now practices and lives in Lowville , New York , with his wife Loretta ( née Lepkowski ) , and two children : his son Leif and daughter Helenka . 
