Meet Dr. Kaitlyn DeChirico
DVMDr. Kaitlyn DeChirico grew up on Long Island, New York, where her love for animals began long before she ever imagined becoming a veterinarian. Surrounded by dogs, cats, hamsters, frogs, and turtles from an early age, caring for animals always felt natural to her. She knew early on that she wanted a career that would allow her to help them live healthier, happier lives.
She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of New Hampshire, where she worked closely with dairy cattle through her coursework and even spent time on a sheep farm helping deliver lambs. She then attended St. George’s University in Grenada for her first three years of veterinary school before completing her clinical year at the University of Florida.
Throughout veterinary school and her externships, Dr. DeChirico found herself especially drawn to surgery and integrative medicine. She loves the problem-solving and hands-on nature of surgery, while also appreciating the whole-body approach that integrative medicine offers. She hopes to continue expanding that passion by pursuing certification in veterinary acupuncture in the future.
Shelter medicine also holds a special place in her heart. She is passionate about animal welfare and believes strongly in giving back to the community through rescue work and outreach efforts. During her shelter medicine rotation at the University of Florida, she met and adopted her cat, Rigatoni, who quickly became a much loved part of her family.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. DeChirico enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her dog Louie, and gardening. She feels incredibly grateful to turn her lifelong love of animals into a career and values the trust pet owners place in her every day. For her, veterinary medicine is not just about treating pets. It is also about supporting the special bond people share with the animals they love.
