Spotlight Series: Dr. Lisa Casinella

Over the first 18 weeks of the new year, we will be conducting one on one interviews with each of our veterinarians in an effort to help you get to know all of them better! In addition to the interview, they will be posting pictures on our facebook account during their week to share some behind the scenes images of their day to day. We hope you enjoy following along!

Up this week is Lisa Casinella, DVM. Dr. Casinella has been with the Peak Performance team since 2010, helping to build an Ocala presence. She and her husband, Randy, live in Ocala year round with their dog, Dottie.

Q: Tell me about your first meaningful memory with an animal.
A: I had a couple Breyer horses when I was about 4 years old. Back then they did not have any fancy accessories to buy along with them. When I thought they needed some grass, I “turned them out” in the yard. I felt they needed the same care as a real horse!

Q: Do you remember a specific moment when you decided you wanted to be an equine vet?
A: My father played a big role in this. He sat me down at the kitchen table and told me to fill out my vet school applications because “I was going!!”. I think in his mind, I would make a great vet but also be able to have my own horses instead of riding other people’s horses.

Q:What colleges/universities did you attend? When someone asks “where did you go to school?” what do you tell them?
A: I attended the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island Canada. I tell people I am a token Canadian!

Q:Tell me about the animals you own now.
A: I have Dottie and Louie. Dottie is my 8 year old Australian Shepherd and Louie is my 10 year old Thoroughbred.

Q: If you weren’t a vet, what would you do for a living?
A: I would be a teacher of some sort. I would like to try and make a difference and change lives for the better. I also think I’d enjoy being a CSI detective! It would be rewarding sending evil people to jail so they could no longer hurt the innocent.

Q: What’s a good book you’ve recently read and enjoyed?
A: Hillbilly Elegy. This book was a great reality check. The author is a survivor, like so many Americans who are not as fortunate as we are. Make Your Bed is also a great read.

Q: What is the hardest thing you’ve ever accomplished?
A: Marriage! You have to be okay with not being in complete control of something. You have to respect the institution; you have to adapt and care for this life long process. Nothing truly prepares you for it.

Q: Favorite place you’ve ever traveled to?
A: Salzburg, Austria. The whole country of Austria is beautiful. I highly recommend visiting.

Q: Dream vacation?
A: Being home in Charlottesville, VA!

Q: Favorite food?
A: My homemade Italian gravy and meatballs. It is the only thing I can cook well!

Q: Favorite adult beverage?
A: Chiante! I have a glass while I make my gravy and meatballs, some goes in the gravy, some goes in my glass. It is a nice process on a cold Sunday afternoon.

Q: What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?
A: I can make my horse rear on command!