Dr. Von Dollen attended Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, where she majored in chemistry with minors in mathematics and biology and was a member of the varsity lacrosse team. She returned to California to earn her DVM degree from the University of California – Davis. Following graduation, she completed internships at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, California and Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital in Victoria, Australia.