SCENE & SEEN
Vet on Wheels Dr. David Tuminaro Caring for Animals
by Anne McCarthy Strauss
Dr. David Tuminaro’s drive to be a veterinarian began at age eight in his hometown of Wappinger’s Falls, New York, when, despite the threat of being sprayed, he rescued a skunk whose head was trapped in a discarded yogurt cup. After obtaining a B.S in Biology from Allegheny College, Dave was still lured by the memory of the skunk with the yogurt cup chapeau. Temporarily leaving behind his college sweetheart, Eve Heyman, he enrolled in a five-year program at The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) at the University of London.
After graduating, Dr. Tuminaro rejoined Eve, who had moved to the Vineyard after college. They were married at a classic Island wedding at the Ag Hall. He took the tests required of veterinarians in the U.S, and the State and National Boards, and worked for local veterinarians on the Vineyard and Cape Cod. In 2006, he started his own business, Caring for Animals, a mobile veterinary care unit. Although not the first mobile practice on the Vineyard, Caring for Animals is the first vet service where everything from regularly-scheduled exams to surgery can be performed.
“Living and working on the Vineyard allows me to work with a variety of animals,” he says seated behind the wheel of his 26.5 foot long vehicle. “Everything from cats and dogs to pigs, chickens, horses and alpacas.” His assistant Mary Serpina sits in the passenger seat. Behind them, the van is equipped with an exam table, inhalant anesthesia, dental equipments, a large sink, a surgery table, and an x-ray machine and developer.
“About 80 percent of my practice is dogs and cats – typical veterinary general practice,” he continues. “The rest includes the more exotic animals and farm animals.”
Eve introduced Dave to the Vineyard in 1993. “I fell in love with the Island and knew I wanted to live and practice here. Going to veterinary school in London gave me the chance to live in a big city before settling down here.”
In the true Vineyard spirit of community, the six veterinary practices on the Island maintain a schedule of 24/7 emergency coverage. Island Veterinary Emergency Services provides both life-saving and life-style advantages. “I can go out and have a beer and shoot pool with my friends some nights, knowing my animals will be cared for,” Dr. Tuminaro says.
After dropping Mary off, he heads back to the home in Oak Bluffs that he shares with Eve and their three cats, Three, Spitfire, and Charm. “You don’t get rich in money as a vet,” he continues. “But no amount of money can compare with the rich life I have helping people by helping their animals.”
Caring For Animals can be reached for appointments at 508-696-5897.
After graduating, Dr. Tuminaro rejoined Eve, who had moved to the Vineyard after college. They were married at a classic Island wedding at the Ag Hall. He took the tests required of veterinarians in the U.S, and the State and National Boards, and worked for local veterinarians on the Vineyard and Cape Cod. In 2006, he started his own business, Caring for Animals, a mobile veterinary care unit. Although not the first mobile practice on the Vineyard, Caring for Animals is the first vet service where everything from regularly-scheduled exams to surgery can be performed.
“Living and working on the Vineyard allows me to work with a variety of animals,” he says seated behind the wheel of his 26.5 foot long vehicle. “Everything from cats and dogs to pigs, chickens, horses and alpacas.” His assistant Mary Serpina sits in the passenger seat. Behind them, the van is equipped with an exam table, inhalant anesthesia, dental equipments, a large sink, a surgery table, and an x-ray machine and developer.
“About 80 percent of my practice is dogs and cats – typical veterinary general practice,” he continues. “The rest includes the more exotic animals and farm animals.”
Eve introduced Dave to the Vineyard in 1993. “I fell in love with the Island and knew I wanted to live and practice here. Going to veterinary school in London gave me the chance to live in a big city before settling down here.”
In the true Vineyard spirit of community, the six veterinary practices on the Island maintain a schedule of 24/7 emergency coverage. Island Veterinary Emergency Services provides both life-saving and life-style advantages. “I can go out and have a beer and shoot pool with my friends some nights, knowing my animals will be cared for,” Dr. Tuminaro says.
After dropping Mary off, he heads back to the home in Oak Bluffs that he shares with Eve and their three cats, Three, Spitfire, and Charm. “You don’t get rich in money as a vet,” he continues. “But no amount of money can compare with the rich life I have helping people by helping their animals.”
Caring For Animals can be reached for appointments at 508-696-5897.