Dr. Thomas is originally from Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned her Bachelors of Arts in biology from Grinnell College and completed her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She found her passion for veterinary medicine after a job-shadow assignment in 7th grade, and expanded her specialty interest in zoo and exotic medicine after volunteering with the Blank Park Zoo in Iowa and performing research in Kruger National Park in South Africa. 

Since that time, she has worked in animal and veterinary care in four countries around the world, including wildlife rehabilitation in with ARCAS in Peten, Guatemala; care for free-ranging hoofstock and raptor health in Alaska and Yukon, Canada; and an externship with the Omaha Henry-Dooley Zoo and Aquarium during her fourth year of vet school. She has co-authored research with the USDA and South Africa National Parks service, and after veterinary school completed internships with Tufts University (small animal emergency and internal medicine) and Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, NJ (avian and exotic animal medicine). She has worked with animals as large as African elephants and as small as Cape clawed frogs, but holds a special place in her heart for lop-eared rabbits, guinea pig squeaks, and small bird chirps. She particularly has a strong passion in working with owners on managing the long-term health of their pets and offering spectrum of care options for pet care. 

In her free time, she shares her life with her small adventure dog Sophie and patient-turned-pet red-rumped parakeet named Starburst. She enjoys hiking and backpacking at mountain lakes, travelling as much as she can, painting ceramics, and playing video games.