About Dr. Maria

As a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), I have deeply enjoyed practicing for over 30 years.

I foresaw the need for quality at home pet care back in 2000, way before at home veterinary care became mainstream. For over 25 years, I have specialized as an at-home euthanasia veterinarian. I have been widely recognized as an expert in at-home euthanasia. My general veterinary skills have been honed partly from working on the staff of some of Tucson’s highest quality clinics, including River Road Pet Clinic, here in Tucson, AZ.

My husband and I previously lived in Tampa, Florida while he was completing his PhD in Psychology. Back then, in the year 2000, I decided to start a mobile veterinary practice after recognizing how much more enjoyable it was for clients, and their pets, to receive high quality care in their home environment.

Being the product of a family with a very strong work ethic, I decided to strike out on my own by founding Vetcalls, a full service mobile house call practice. I was approached by an investor who wanted to franchise Vetcalls, but I was dedicated to being a mom and living a balanced life. But the in-home model I created went on to influence a huge new wave of in home practices around the US. I am now among a uniquely experienced group of in home veterinarians.

Being a house call vet has been even more fulfilling than practicing in a clinic because I can take extra time with clients. It is through this more personally intimate housecall environment that I came to recognize how valuable a service like In Home Euthanasia (IHE) is for pet parents. I have helped hundreds of pet owners respectfully say goodbye to their beloved companion in a way they felt was comforting.

Many people have told me that I have a uniquely comforting professional style, and I believe this is why Vetcalls became one of the most successful veterinary businesses in the metropolitan area of Tampa, Florida. This is also a reason why my current practice, called Tucson Vetcalls, has consistently maintained a 5.0 rating based on over 90 Google reviews. Part of my approach is to truly develop an empathic relationship with you, so you feel respected and appreciated. Here is the process I use to conduct at home euthanasia.

Due to my personal compassion and professional vision, I have been featured in several newspaper and magazine articles. You may see examples of these articles on my website.

Training and Research

I completed my Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Animal Science at the University of Georgia (UGA). I then went on to complete my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at the UGA, which is a nationally renowned veterinary school.

During my academic training, I worked in prestigious clinical and research positions. For example, I conducted dermatopathology research with a globally leading figure in this field, Dr. Bernard Ackerman, of New York University Medical School. Additionally, at the national level, I assisted the animal pathology laboratory at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Additionally, with Dr. Robert Dunstan (DVM), a leading researcher in veterinary pathology, I co-authored a paper published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). By working in some of the most renowned veterinary clinics, such as Angell Memorial Hospital (Boston, MA) and Dundee Animal Hospital (Dundee, IL) I have focused on mastering my craft.

I am happily married to someone who has also become an expert in his field of psychology. My husband has helped me develop an expert level of skills in terms of how to sensitively support each client. My husband and I have two children who are now in college at the University of Arizona. As a family we love to play with our pets, always a mixture of cats and dogs. I love all things outdoors, including gardening, hiking and watching the sun set on the Rincon Mountains.

Besides being a devoted mother and pet owner, I am also passionate about giving back to the Tucson Community. To this end, I have regularly given free talks to school children (e.g., at Tanque Verde High School) because I want to bring others to appreciate how amazing our animal companions are.

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"I can’t begin to say enough nice things about Dr. Miller, her demeanor and her professionalism. My beloved cat Van was in the final stages of debilitating malignant thyroid tumors that left him unable to eat and drink in his final days. Dr. Miller’s service of coming to the house to help Van peacefully pass was a relief. Dr. Miller’s comforting actions with Van and her reassurances to me helped make what was already a horrific experience as bearable as possible under the circumstances."

Norris A.

"Dear Dr. Miller, Robbie and I want to thank you for all you kind and gentle care of Chessie, even though you didn’t know her. We feel like you were a special angel sent to make this time a little easier. I wish we had known you longer. Thank you again and God Bless you."

Robbie and Judy G.

"Dear Dr. Miller, Thank you so much for your responsiveness, follow-up and great care of the pooches. We all appreciate your efforts and are lucky to have found you! Its so convenient to have you come to the house and it’s a big stress reliever for the dogs too. Thanks again!!"

Lauri and Peter F.

"Dear Dr. Miller Words cannot express how I feel towards the work that you do. I cannot begin to thank you for helping me through such a trying time. Your love and support made it easier to accept the loss of my dog. You truly are a wonderful and caring person. Thank you for making me feel like a friend."

Nancy M.

"Dr. Maria Miller, a most gentle and caring Veterinarian, provided us with the strength needed when we had to put our Dalmatian, Domino to sleep. He had reached the fullness of his time. His age coupled with his ailments certainly needed a peaceful relief and a quiet rest. Thank you Dr. Miller."

Jim Smith

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