Dr. Vanessa Ferraz, DVM, MSc, PhD

With over two decades of experience in small animal and exotic surgery, Dr. Vanessa Ferraz founded Knox Veterinary Surgery to fill a critical gap in care by helping general practices offer advanced surgical services without the need for costly referrals or long-distance travel. Her mission is simple: to make surgical treatment more accessible, affordable, and less overwhelming for pet families, while empowering veterinarians to keep care in-house.

Dr. Ferraz earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2005 from the prestigious University of São Paulo in Brazil, followed by a Master’s and PhD in Small Animal Surgery. Over the years, she’s performed thousands of procedures, authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, and held faculty positions at veterinary schools in Brazil and the United States.

She is ECFVG certified and currently serves as an adjunct professor at both the University of Tennessee and Lincoln Memorial University, where she lectures and trains the next generation of veterinarians. Dr. Ferraz also works closely with local shelters, regularly volunteers with the University of Tennessee’s outreach efforts, and is a frequent surgical contributor to hospitals across Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, Atlanta, and beyond.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Ferraz lives with her husband, Dr. Cassio Ferrigno, and three children on a small farm where she raises goats, sheep, cows, and chickens. She shares her home with six dogs (Border Collie/Aussie mixes), two cats, a snake, a bearded dragon, and a green cheek conure. She loves planting, cooking, hiking in the Smoky Mountains, and spending time outdoors. A hands-on builder and remodeler, she enjoys tackling new projects as much as caring for her animals.