Maria joins us with 14 years of experience in the veterinary field. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Maria always had a deep love for animals, even from a young age. At just three years old, she dreamed of becoming a paleontologist—until she realized dinosaurs were extinct. Determined to work with animals, she turned her focus to domestic pets and began volunteering at an animal shelter as a child, which led her to later volunteer at a veterinary hospital. After initially considering veterinary school and then stepping back from that path, Maria found her true calling in the field as a veterinary technician.
Maria has a well-rounded background in the veterinary field, having worked in a variety of settings including general practice, shelter medicine, surgery, anesthesia, and emergency medicine. In addition to her hands-on experience, she has continued her education with an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technician from Penn Foster (2023), a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from The Pennsylvania State University (2018), and a Master’s in Education from Capella University (2022). She is currently working toward a Master’s of Science in Animal Behavior and Welfare at Husson University, which she expects to complete in 2026.
One of Maria’s fondest memories is adopting her childhood dog, Tiffany. As a young girl, she visited an animal shelter with her family, and it was love at first sight when Tiffany reached out her paw to Maria. They spent 14 ½ years together, making Tiffany her lifelong best friend.
When she’s not at UrgentVet, Maria enjoys relaxing with her family, watching shows like Grey’s Anatomy or Jersey Shore, and walking her three dogs: TJ (a German Shepherd/Boston Terrier mix), Sophie (a Pitbull/Catahoula Leopard Dog mix), and Tomater Tater Tot (a Labrador Retriever). She also shares her home with Duckie, a leopard gecko. Maria’s love for all kinds of animals shines through in her work and her personal life.
With her extensive experience, compassionate approach, and passion for animal care, Maria is dedicated to ensuring that both pets and their owners receive the best possible care at UrgentVet Staten Island.