Dr. Paola is a native of Pittsburgh (Go Steelers!) and a graduate of the Michigan State University (Go Spartans!) College of Veterinary Medicine. He worked as a general veterinary practitioner in Pittsburgh for two years after graduation, before moving on to an internship at the Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!). This served as a springboard to a residency in small animal internal medicine, also at Ohio State. He passed the certifying examination for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine upon the completion of his residency. After three years as an internist in Pittsburgh, he moved to Annapolis and joined AVIM in 1997.

A project completed during his residency allowed him to develop a strong interest and ability in gastrointestinal endoscopy and disorders of the GI tract. While other areas of special interest include hypercalcemia and hematologic disorders, Dr. Paola has maintained a broad interest in many aspects of small animal internal medicine.

Outside the clinic, his life is enriched by his wife and their two young daughters. The newest additions to the family are two guinea pigs, Snickers and Marshmallow. Dr. Paola is a very proud third-generation Italian-American, and recent travel to Italy has advanced his interest in the Italian language and all things Italian.