PHD Veterinary Services

PHD Veterinary Services is a leading equine veterinarian serving Gainesville, Ocala, Newberry, and surrounding North Central Florida and beyond. Led by Dr. Michael Porter, a board-certified equine internist, our practice provides advanced diagnostics, lameness evaluations, equine rehabilitation, reproduction services, emergency care, and wellness programs for performance horses and pleasure horses alike

Dr. Michael Porter was born in Colombia, South America, but grew up in Miami, FL. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, before moving to Gainesville, Florida in 1992. In 1994, Dr. Porter attained his Master of Science degree, specializing in the reproductive physiology of horses. Building upon this foundation, he embarked on a dual path, simultaneously pursuing a PhD and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at the University of Florida. His dedication was met as he obtained both degrees in 1998 and 2001, respectively. Subsequently, Dr. Porter delved deeper into his specialization by completing a residency in large animal internal medicine at UF, culminating in his certification as a board-certified internist in 2004. That same year he joined the faculty at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, where he envisioned and established the Mobile Equine Diagnostic Service (MEDS). For six years, from 2004 to 2010, MEDS served as top-tier veterinary care for horses across north central Florida. In 2010, Dr. Porter embarked on a new chapter by founding Performance Horse Doc Veterinary Services, fondly known as PHD Veterinary Services, in north central Florida. Over the past decade, he has been steadfast in delivering referral-level veterinary care, extending his expertise throughout North, Central and Southwest Florida as well as South Georgia. Driven by a commitment to serve his local community, Dr. Porter realized a longstanding dream in 2020 with the establishment of the PHD Veterinary Services Clinic in Newberry, Florida. Promptly after opening the local clinic, he recognized an unmet need for specialized care in equine rehabilitation. Thus, in late 2022, Dr. Porter expanded his practice by adding the rehabilitation barn at PHD Veterinary Services, ensuring comprehensive care for injured horses requiring rehabilitation and ongoing support