Dr. Swank was born in Palo Alto, California and grew up here in Tampa. In 1990, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and then graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. In 1994-95 she attended LSU for an internship in small animal medicine and surgery. Her hobbies are: photography, movies, books, skiing, travel, etc. However, she has many pets, three cats and two dogs, three guinea pigs, and one fish tank. She is happily married with two children and two step children.