Dr. Gifford is a native of Northeast Ohio. Veterinary Medicine was a second career for her; she graduated from the Tufts University School of Veterinary School of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. She was certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2007. She then competed the Chinese Herbal Medicine course at the Chi Institute in 2012, followed by becoming certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy from the Healing Oasis Wellness Center in 2016.