Dr. Casillo and her dog Zip, a German shepherd who comes to work with her every day
From the time she was five years old, Abigail Casillo knew she wanted to be a veterinarian.
“My mom says I was already obsessed with my career choice at that age and already had everything all figured out about my future,” says Dr. Casillo, who grew up in Marietta, Georgia. “From then on, there was no question about it. Everything I did from that time on was toward the goal of becoming a vet.”
After completing a bachelor of science degree in biology at Samford University in 2004, Dr. Casillo finished her doctor of veterinary medicine degree at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008.
Dr. Casillo and her mare, Texas Sweet Tea, preparing for cross-country
In 2009, Dr. Casillo completed the animal chiropractic program at Parker University College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas.
One of eight Tennessee-based veterinary chiropractors certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, Dr. Casillo’s interest in chiropractic medicine dates to her undergraduate years at Samford when she played on a softball team and benefited from chiropractic services herself.
“I knew how much chiropractic adjustments helped heal my aches and pains using a natural, drug-free approach. While in vet school, I realized chiropractic was something that could help animals, too, as a complement to the traditional veterinary medical approaches I was learning. I was at a time in my life when getting additional training was not that hard, so I just said, ‘Why not?’”
After completing her veterinary degree, Dr. Casillo worked as an associate at Van Zandt Animal Care Center, a mixed small- and large-animal practice in Wills Point,Texas, until she and partner Phillip Kitchens bought Blue Springs Veterinary Services in January 2011. Mr. Kitchens manages the practice.
In 2010, Dr. Casillo joined World Vets, a non-profit veterinary aid organization, as a field service veterinarian, a volunteer position available to qualified veterinarians by invitation only. According to the World Vets web site, “Field Service Veterinarians are chosen for their excellent people skills as well as their veterinary and leadership ability.”
In July 2010, Dr. Casillo was trip leader for a week-long World Vet spay/neuter project in Loreto, Baja California Sur Mexico.
In March 2011, she led a trip to Granada, Nicaragua, as part of World Vets’ Equine Welfare Project. The team provided veterinary services to the working horses in and around the city, including routine veterinary care, castrations and other surgeries, and dental and hoof work.
In October 2011, Dr. Casillo will participate in a World Vets trip to Kahama, Tanzania.
Back home, in her spare time, Dr. Casillo is active in training her horses and showing them in eventing and show jumping. She and her fiancé Phillip Kitchens have two dogs, Zip and Emma, a cat named Rambo and four horses.
Dr. Casillo is a member of:
- The Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association
- The American Veterinary Medical Association
- The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association
- The American Association of Equine Practitioners
- The American Association of Bovine Practitioners
- American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners
- The Society for Theriogenology and
- The Veterinary Information Network (VIN)
