Dr. Skiles' Biography

Mary Skiles grew up in Orange County, California with a keen interest in the sciences, animals and the outdoors. She did her undergraduate work at Humboldt State University on the coast of Northern California in wildlife management. She did 3 months of field studies on river otter prey selection on the Eel River. Mary graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology in 1985.

 

She went to professional school at the University of California at Davis. In 1989, she earned a Master’s in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, studying the link between taurine deficiency and heart disease in cats. Also in 1989, Mary earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, graduating valedictorian.

 

After graduation, Dr. Skiles has worked as a full time associate at one clinic for 9 years, appreciating the long term relationships with people and their pets. She then changed to relief work. As an independent contractor, she enjoys the challenge and variability of experiencing many different practices. Dr. Skiles stays active with the local, state, and national veterinary medicine associations. She served as secretary/treasurer and president of the local association in Southern California.

 

Dr. Skiles enjoys a variety of activities. She played volleyball and softball competitively in high school and college. She enjoys hiking, road biking, photography, and geology field trips. She is an avid and accomplished canoeist, from flat water freestyle and river tripping to aggressive white water canoeing. She met her future husband on a canoeing trip down the Grand Canyon in 2002 and was married on a Utah canoe river trip in 2005. Dr. Skiles is a performing member of the Japanese drumming group, Austin Taiko.