Dr. MARY PROVITOLA

Dr. Mary Provitola is one of three native Floridians working for us, growing up in Deland Florida. She received her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and after graduating she stayed in Tallahassee for a year preparing for veterinary school. During that year she worked two jobs. She worked as a part time waitress and spent the rest of her time working at a mixed small animal and large animal veterinary hospital. She lived at the hospital in a 9x9 foot stall that was converted to a bedroom in a barn that was attached to the hospital. She was a veterinary technician by day and when she got home from the restaurant, she was an emergency technician. It was a very difficult year but the experience she gained earned her a place in vet school. She is just thankful that this back breaking experience occurred at a time in her life when she did not need much sleep!

Dr. Provitola received her veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 2004 and started working here shortly after graduating. She says she is very happy to be out practicing veterinary medicine. "Practicing veterinary Medicine teaches you more about animals and medicine and about people, than any school ever could. It is hard to say what interests me most about veterinary medicine besides that there is never a dull day. Every case, every animal, every client is a uniquely different situation to learn about. If I were pressed, I would have to say that my biggest interest is soft tissue surgery. 

Dr. Provitola has three pets: a female Calico cat named "Monkey", a little boy cat named "Curious George" and a 9 year old mixed breed dog named "Snickers". The three of them LOVE each other and it is not unusual for Mary to walk into a room and find the three of them asleep in a pile on top of each other. Dr. Provitola's interests outside of work include swimming, jogging, reading and most of all traveling. She is one of ten children and she has brothers and sisters all over the US and even a sister in Italy. Her goal is to visit them all and see the country.