Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia

I grew up in Jordan, Minnesota, a beautiful little town in the Minnesota River Valley on the outskirts of the Twin Cities metro area. I have always loved animals—I would shove my face in the long fur of my childhood dog, Puddles, although I was allergic and it made me sneeze! We lost her when I was in elementary school, and my family didn't get another pet, despite my constant begging. I was reintroduced to my love of animals in my mid-20s, when I lived with a dog and a cat. Happily, with medication, we all lived in harmony with very little sneezing. From that point forward, I couldn't imagine living without animals in my life. 

Much differently than others, I didn't always want to be a vet. I have always had a strong desire to serve others, and my first career was in domestic hunger relief. However, I longed to work with animals, and at the age of 30, I sought out a fitting career. A friend off-handedly said, "Why don't you be a vet?" I had never considered becoming a veterinarian, despite loving science in my younger days. I started shadowing at a veterinary clinic, and taking science courses, and I immediately fell in love! I spent the next seven years completing prerequisite science classes—one night course at a time—and shadowing. Eleven years after my first night class, in 2011, I graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine! 

I cannot imagine my life without the joy that animals bring, and there is nothing that makes me happier than helping to strengthen that bond for others. I enjoy educating pet owners about how best to keep their pets healthy, and alleviating owners’ fears and anxieties when I return their sick pets back to health. And when we cannot, my goal is to help pet parents make the best choices possible for their beloved pets. 

I have lost many pets, and have struggled with not only the loss, but whether I made the best decisions. (Yes, vets struggle with these questions too!) The many losses, including personal pets and patients, have provided a deep compassion to help pet parents make peace with these tough questions so that their last moments with their pet are meaningful, peaceful, and whole. 

In my spare time, I enjoy power lounging with my dogs, Izzy and Freida, my five cats, and occasionally my husband!