Dr. Thomas Cole grew up in Riverside, CA, where he had an interest in animals from a very young age. He kept many pets while growing up, including dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, and a raccoon. He attended U.C. Riverside, majoring in biology. He then attended U.C. Davis to earn his degree in Veterinary Medicine. After six years of small animal practice, he co-founded and operated Oak Park Veterinary Hospital for 25 years. In August 2019, Oak Park Veterinary Hospital merged with VCA Westlake Village Animal Hospital. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, surfing, and spending time with his son and daughter.