Dr. Mazzola was born and raised in California. Growing up, she always wanted to become a Veterinarian. She was very active in Future Farmers of America, raising and showing sheep, pigs, rabbits, goats, and steers. Her father surprised her with her first horse when she was 12 years old, so she spent the next few years riding every moment that she was not in school. She was training to ride in the Olympics, but her love of Veterinary Medicine was stronger than her desire to compete. In College, she took a trip to Thirsk, England to meet Dr. James Herriot. She graduated with honors in 1987 from California Polytechnic State University, with dual degrees in Biochemistry and Animal Science. She graduated with honors from Veterinary school, in 1991, from the University of California at Davis. She completed her internship in medicine and surgery at Oradell Animal Hospital in 1992. She continued at OAH as a staff doctor until 1994. Her outside interests include breeding Labrador Retrievers, horses, and homeschooling her child [citation].