Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Nicole DiPaolo
I grew up in Northeast Ohio, where most of my family still lives. I’ve been around animals my whole life—from the Basenjis I grew up with, to the bullfrog and betta fish I had in grade school, to the horses at Girl Scout camp and various wildlife.
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to become a veterinarian. I used to accompany my parents to the vet with our dogs, fascinated by everything the vet was doing and how they reached conclusions about our pets by examining them. I excelled in math and science at school, which led me down the path to veterinary medicine.
I attended the University of Akron, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry, and then went on to veterinary school at The Ohio State University, where I trained extensively in exotic animal and wildlife medicine alongside the regular curriculum of small and large animal care. After graduating, I moved to New Hampshire and practiced in the Seacoast area, focusing on general small animal medicine, exotic animal medicine, and urgent care.
My own (now senior) dog, Mocha, and I became a certified therapy dog team before I entered veterinary school, and we volunteered at a local human hospice center in Ohio. This experience provided early exposure and training in end-of-life care. While in practice, I felt a strong calling to help families and their pets through a fear-free approach to comfort care, hospice, and end-of-life support. My ultimate goal is to prevent suffering and provide a compassionate, peaceful ending. I believe humane euthanasia is the final act of kindness we can offer our pets, and I view it as a sincere honor to give each pet a dignified transition and their family the support they need.
When I’m not helping families, my husband and I enjoy working on our home and property in Maine. We love being outdoors—gardening, fishing, hiking, camping, birdwatching—and spending time with our three dogs, Mocha, Everest, and Beatrice, as well as with our family and friends. When I can’t be outside, I enjoy reading, quilting, crafting, baking, and cooking.
About Dr. Jason Doll
I was born in central Pennsylvania in an area known as Happy Valley, which is quite fitting for my positive outlook on life. Becoming a veterinarian was an easy decision for me, as I have always had a passion for animals, particularly birds.
After completing my undergraduate degree outside Philadelphia, I already knew I was meant to work with animals and set out to attend veterinary school near Boston, Massachusetts. After graduation, I worked in a general practice and emergency facility treating a variety of small animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, and, my favorite, birds!
Working at Lap of Love allows me to help animals and people when they need it most. We’ve all experienced some type of grief or loss in our lives, and supporting others helps me see the good in the tragic. I like knowing I can provide a gentle passing for a beloved furry or feathered family member, and hopefully make the grieving process a little easier for their loved ones.
After helping over 700 families through Lap of Love in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, I had the opportunity to return to New England in the greater Portland area. I am very honored to be back and excited to provide hospice and end-of-life care in my own, unique, compassionate way.
When I am not helping families, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, both furry and otherwise. My husband and I share our home with two adorable little bunnies, Myrtle and Priscilla.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
About Dr. Mary Orff
I was born in Ohio and grew up surrounded by pets and wildlife, which sparked my deep-rooted love for animals and a desire to positively impact their lives. At 8 years of age, our family moved to South Carolina and my parents presented me with a Shetland pony, Peanuts. For the next ten years, I spent many happy hours doing stable chores and exploring the neighborhood and surrounding woods on horseback. After reading the James Herriot “All Creatures Great and Small” book series multiple times, I knew that I wanted to become a veterinarian.
In 1982, I left for college at the University of Georgia. I completed my undergraduate studies in the College of Agriculture working with dairy cattle, and graduated from the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. Since graduation, I have practiced in Virginia, Maine, and New Hampshire. I have lived in Maine for more than 25 years, and built my own solo practice in Limerick, Maine. In 2000, I sold the practice to pursue a career teaching the life sciences and veterinary assistant students at White Mountains Community College in NH. In addition to clinical and educational work, I actively participate in community outreach programs that empower pet owners with knowledge and promote responsible pet ownership. I also volunteer for local environmental groups and animal shelters.
End-of-life care and ensuring a gentle departure for ailing and aged pets has been an important mission for me throughout my career. While I have had to say goodbye to many pets over the course of my life, it wasn’t until I was helping my sister navigate the final years of her beloved pup, Luci, that I discovered Lap of Love. I realized then that I wanted to re-enter practice as a hospice veterinarian. I am a Peaceful Euthanasia Certified veterinarian as well as Fear Free Certified.
I currently live with my husband, Christopher, who is a millwright, and my daughter, Eiligh, recent fashion design graduate from Pratt Institute. Our furry, feathered, and scaly family members are Spinoza, a standard poodle, Tibby, our cat, Rex, our leopard gecko, Willow, my horse, and assorted chickens. In addition to spending time with family, friends, and animals, I enjoy gardening, knitting, reading, practicing yoga, and communing with the natural world.
About Dr. Nicole DiPaolo
I grew up in Northeast Ohio, where most of my family still lives. I’ve been around animals my whole life—from the Basenjis I grew up with, to the bullfrog and betta fish I had in grade school, to the horses at Girl Scout camp and various wildlife.
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to become a veterinarian. I used to accompany my parents to the vet with our dogs, fascinated by everything the vet was doing and how they reached conclusions about our pets by examining them. I excelled in math and science at school, which led me down the path to veterinary medicine.
I attended the University of Akron, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry, and then went on to veterinary school at The Ohio State University, where I trained extensively in exotic animal and wildlife medicine alongside the regular curriculum of small and large animal care. After graduating, I moved to New Hampshire and practiced in the Seacoast area, focusing on general small animal medicine, exotic animal medicine, and urgent care.
My own (now senior) dog, Mocha, and I became a certified therapy dog team before I entered veterinary school, and we volunteered at a local human hospice center in Ohio. This experience provided early exposure and training in end-of-life care. While in practice, I felt a strong calling to help families and their pets through a fear-free approach to comfort care, hospice, and end-of-life support. My ultimate goal is to prevent suffering and provide a compassionate, peaceful ending. I believe humane euthanasia is the final act of kindness we can offer our pets, and I view it as a sincere honor to give each pet a dignified transition and their family the support they need.
When I’m not helping families, my husband and I enjoy working on our home and property in Maine. We love being outdoors—gardening, fishing, hiking, camping, birdwatching—and spending time with our three dogs, Mocha, Everest, and Beatrice, as well as with our family and friends. When I can’t be outside, I enjoy reading, quilting, crafting, baking, and cooking.
About Dr. Jason Doll
I was born in central Pennsylvania in an area known as Happy Valley, which is quite fitting for my positive outlook on life. Becoming a veterinarian was an easy decision for me, as I have always had a passion for animals, particularly birds.
After completing my undergraduate degree outside Philadelphia, I already knew I was meant to work with animals and set out to attend veterinary school near Boston, Massachusetts. After graduation, I worked in a general practice and emergency facility treating a variety of small animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, and, my favorite, birds!
Working at Lap of Love allows me to help animals and people when they need it most. We’ve all experienced some type of grief or loss in our lives, and supporting others helps me see the good in the tragic. I like knowing I can provide a gentle passing for a beloved furry or feathered family member, and hopefully make the grieving process a little easier for their loved ones.
After helping over 700 families through Lap of Love in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, I had the opportunity to return to New England in the greater Portland area. I am very honored to be back and excited to provide hospice and end-of-life care in my own, unique, compassionate way.
When I am not helping families, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, both furry and otherwise. My husband and I share our home with two adorable little bunnies, Myrtle and Priscilla.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
About Dr. Mary Orff
I was born in Ohio and grew up surrounded by pets and wildlife, which sparked my deep-rooted love for animals and a desire to positively impact their lives. At 8 years of age, our family moved to South Carolina and my parents presented me with a Shetland pony, Peanuts. For the next ten years, I spent many happy hours doing stable chores and exploring the neighborhood and surrounding woods on horseback. After reading the James Herriot “All Creatures Great and Small” book series multiple times, I knew that I wanted to become a veterinarian.
In 1982, I left for college at the University of Georgia. I completed my undergraduate studies in the College of Agriculture working with dairy cattle, and graduated from the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. Since graduation, I have practiced in Virginia, Maine, and New Hampshire. I have lived in Maine for more than 25 years, and built my own solo practice in Limerick, Maine. In 2000, I sold the practice to pursue a career teaching the life sciences and veterinary assistant students at White Mountains Community College in NH. In addition to clinical and educational work, I actively participate in community outreach programs that empower pet owners with knowledge and promote responsible pet ownership. I also volunteer for local environmental groups and animal shelters.
End-of-life care and ensuring a gentle departure for ailing and aged pets has been an important mission for me throughout my career. While I have had to say goodbye to many pets over the course of my life, it wasn’t until I was helping my sister navigate the final years of her beloved pup, Luci, that I discovered Lap of Love. I realized then that I wanted to re-enter practice as a hospice veterinarian. I am a Peaceful Euthanasia Certified veterinarian as well as Fear Free Certified.
I currently live with my husband, Christopher, who is a millwright, and my daughter, Eiligh, recent fashion design graduate from Pratt Institute. Our furry, feathered, and scaly family members are Spinoza, a standard poodle, Tibby, our cat, Rex, our leopard gecko, Willow, my horse, and assorted chickens. In addition to spending time with family, friends, and animals, I enjoy gardening, knitting, reading, practicing yoga, and communing with the natural world.
About Dr. Nicole DiPaolo
I grew up in Northeast Ohio, where most of my family still lives. I’ve been around animals my whole life—from the Basenjis I grew up with, to the bullfrog and betta fish I had in grade school, to the horses at Girl Scout camp and various wildlife.
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to become a veterinarian. I used to accompany my parents to the vet with our dogs, fascinated by everything the vet was doing and how they reached conclusions about our pets by examining them. I excelled in math and science at school, which led me down the path to veterinary medicine.
I attended the University of Akron, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry, and then went on to veterinary school at The Ohio State University, where I trained extensively in exotic animal and wildlife medicine alongside the regular curriculum of small and large animal care. After graduating, I moved to New Hampshire and practiced in the Seacoast area, focusing on general small animal medicine, exotic animal medicine, and urgent care.
My own (now senior) dog, Mocha, and I became a certified therapy dog team before I entered veterinary school, and we volunteered at a local human hospice center in Ohio. This experience provided early exposure and training in end-of-life care. While in practice, I felt a strong calling to help families and their pets through a fear-free approach to comfort care, hospice, and end-of-life support. My ultimate goal is to prevent suffering and provide a compassionate, peaceful ending. I believe humane euthanasia is the final act of kindness we can offer our pets, and I view it as a sincere honor to give each pet a dignified transition and their family the support they need.
When I’m not helping families, my husband and I enjoy working on our home and property in Maine. We love being outdoors—gardening, fishing, hiking, camping, birdwatching—and spending time with our three dogs, Mocha, Everest, and Beatrice, as well as with our family and friends. When I can’t be outside, I enjoy reading, quilting, crafting, baking, and cooking.