Veterinarian Overview
Dr. Paola Wessinger grew up on a small ranch in Southern California where her family raised llamas and alpacas. She grew up riding and showing horses in the Temecula Valley area and fostered over 200 puppies for the local shelter during her high school years. Dr. Wessinger attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and earned her undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences. While at Cal Poly, she gained a strong interest in reproduction while participating on a beef reproductive enterprise. Following graduation, Paola moved to Glasgow, Scotland, where she attended veterinary school at the University of Glasgow. During her time in the UK, she was able to travel to many countries both for pleasure and veterinary work. Most notable, she participated in a 4-week program at the American Fondouk in Fez, Morocco, gaining experience with working equids, including horses, donkeys and mules. Following veterinary school, Dr. Wessinger completed a year-long rotating internship in equine medicine and surgery at Montana Equine in Bozeman, Montana. She also had the opportunity to work with the doctors and staff at Desert Pines for a few months during her internship. Dr. Wessinger is excited to return to Desert Pines as an associate veterinarian.