Larisa Tempero, DVM University of Pennsylvania Dr. Larisa Tempero, originally from England, was inspired by James Herriot's wonderful tales set in the Yorkshire Dales. Becoming a veterinarian was the only career she every considered. As a teenager, her family relocated to the East Coast and she lived on a sheep farm with her dog, five cats and two horses. It was her love of horses that drew her first to Cornell University, then onto New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with top honors in 1995, she pursued her equestrian interests in a mixed animal practice for a couple of years, but soon realized that she wanted to specialize in small animal medicine after all. Dr. Tempero really enjoyed the relationships developed with clients and their pets in a companion animal practice, and she especially enjoyed the intellectual challenge of internal medicine and endocrinology. Although horses remain a big part of her personal life, Dr. Tempero has spent the past eight years in general practice working primarily with cats and dogs. She relocated from Boston to San Francisco three years ago in 2003 with her husband Michael, and cat, Biscuit. In 2006, they moved to Marin County with their young daughter, Jessica and Dr. Tempero joined Madera Pet Hospital. Her free time is spent with her toddler, although she also enjoys riding horses, running, and hiking.