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Dr. Kristen

In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Raleigh & Surrounding Neighborhoods

I grew up in a small rural town in upstate New York called Youngsville. When most people think of New York, they picture the big city, but I grew up playing in the woods, riding four-wheelers, and spending time with friends on dairy farms.

My 15-year-old cat, Shadow, and his talented veterinarian were the ones who set me on the path to becoming a veterinarian. When Shadow was diagnosed with diabetes, we took him to an amazing veterinarian who compassionately cared for Shadow while supporting my family. I was in awe of her communication and client education skills and realized that someone like that can make the biggest difference in the life of pets and their families. It was then that I decided I wanted to become a vet and help families like mine when they need it most.

Inspired by my experience with Shadow, I completed my undergraduate studies at Elmira College in New York, where I majored in biology and minored in chemistry. I received my veterinary degree from the University of Tennessee. During my time at UT, I became a devoted Rocky Top Fan, and discovered my love for NCAA football—I still bleed orange.

As a veterinarian, I have worked in general practice and high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter (HQHVSN) clinics. I enjoy helping animals and families who are most in need, particularly shelter pets and pets nearing the end of their life. My time working in shelter medicine with geriatric pets has shaped me into the veterinarian I am today and led me to my role at Lap of Love. I feel honored to be able to give pets the gift of a peaceful passing at home with their family where they are comfortable and calm.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in nature, gardening, hiking, camping, skiing, and especially golfing. I also enjoy reading, drawing, painting, and woodworking.

Our services

We’re here to support you when you need it

In-Home Euthanasia

At Lap of Love, we take the utmost pride in helping your pet experience a peaceful passing in the comfort and tranquility of their home.

Veterinary Hospice

Family-focused, in-home hospice care ensures your dog or cat is comfortable and happy during their final days.

Aftercare

From cremation to personal keepsakes, our aftercare services allow you to forever memorialize your beloved dog or cat.

Telehospice

Personal phone/video calls, during which a Lap of Love team member will help you gain clarity around what's best for your ailing or aging pet.

Pet Loss Support

Join our free, virtual Pet Loss Support Groups. Discussions are focused on healthy coping skills, grief reactions, and honoring the lives of your furry family member.

In-Home Euthanasia

At Lap of Love, we take the utmost pride in helping your pet experience a peaceful passing in the comfort and tranquility of their home.

Veterinary Hospice

Family-focused, in-home hospice care ensures your dog or cat is comfortable and happy during their final days.

Aftercare

From cremation to personal keepsakes, our aftercare services allow you to forever memorialize your beloved dog or cat.

Telehospice

Personal phone/video calls, during which a Lap of Love team member will help you gain clarity around what's best for your ailing or aging pet.

Pet Loss Support

Join our free, virtual Pet Loss Support Groups. Discussions are focused on healthy coping skills, grief reactions, and honoring the lives of your furry family member.

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Azeneth

Chicago, Illinois

Thank you so much to Dr. Maura for being compassionate and loving towards my Sophie. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better person to be here with my family and I during our last moments with Sophie. Dr. Maura wasn't a stranger in a home. She teared up and cried with us. I was so blown away by her calming aura and the way she spoke to my baby. Thank you for the bottom of my heart for everything that you do.

Rebecca

Niagara Falls, New York

Dr Kathy helped our family to cope with such care and love. Our Jobu was 11 and a pivotal member of our family. Dr. Kathy gave him the love, respect and dignity he deserved. During such a hard time it’s odd to say that I would Recommend the service, but I have and will continue too. When we have pets part of loving them is Showing them support and love In your own home with a veterinarian who clearly loves each and every animal she came across! The best way that we could show Jobu that he didn’t need to fear this process, let him remain IN his own home, was to use Lap of Love when the sad day came. After the whole process all of us felt and KNOW that we have done the right thing by our gentle giant! RIP Jobu.

Jennifer

Chesterfield, New Jersey

Dr. Abby, Thank you so much for all you did. You were so sweet and exactly what the three of us needed. I am so grateful that I found Lap of Love, I honestly don't know what I would have done if we had to take Kipper to our local Vet, I just couldn't bring myself to doing that. He went so peacefully in his favorite spot. There is a serious void in our home and it is very sad and a definite adjustment. Thank you again and I give you so much credit for what you do, it takes a super special kind of person. Take care, Jennifer Russello

Anne

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

We did not see our Mingo getting sick. Things happened so fast. We knew it was the right decision and Dr. Pamela eased that pain a little by showing the compassion that she did for our Mingo.

Marcia

Sunrise, Florida

Kalvin was the love of our life. He was a puppy mill rescue, so he faced challenges his whole life. From pneumonia when he was only weeks old to a slipped disc at four years. For the last four years, since he was seven, he fought through diabetes, two bouts of pancreatitis, cataract surgery and Cushings disease, and worked through them all like the little fighter be was. Then he went into renal failure and declined quickly. When we were told there was no hope, we were devastated. We took him home to have one more day with him, and called Lap of Love to make arrangements. Dr Jordan came the next afternoon to take care of our baby. He was so gentle with Kalvin and so compassionate with us, he made a very painful circumstance a little easier. Kalvin was able to stay on our bed, which he had shared with us for the seven years he had blessed us with. It was a much easier transition than being in a sterile environment. While my husband and I are still grieving his loss, we can't thank Dr Jordan enough for all he has done for us.

Suzanne

Orlando, Florida

I called Lap of Love to get information knowing that my sweet boy, Mr Big, was not doing well, and wanted 3rd party advice for what we were dealing with. The operator mentioned the TeleAdvice service that they offer, and I was scheduled to meet with Dr Amanda Gordon within 48 hours. Within that short period of time she had familiarized herself with his prognosis after receiving his medical records. She spent an hour with me on a zoom video conference call, talking over his current condition as well as how he had progressed to this point. She was extremely professional, compassionate and empathetic while discussing this very difficult situation we were in. I felt as if I I had known her this whole time, like she was his veterinarian since day 1. We had an instant connection, and it was a much easier conversation than I had anticipated. Not only did she help guide us through the decisions we were having to make, but once we made them, she also wanted us to follow up with her on the outcome. How amazing and blessed we were with her genuine concern and interest in our little boy. She was truly a gift from God. We have always euthanized our fur babies at home and find it a very peaceful process. Unfortunately, his time came quicker than anticipated and he passed at home, in my arms, before the scheduled at-home euthanasia service through Lap of Love. I did reach out to Dr Amanda Gordon to let her know what had happened and she was willing to speak with me again, for a good length of time, providing me comfort and words of love and wisdom for what had just taken place, just as if she had been there to help him pass on to rainbow bridge. We cannot express how very grateful we are that Dr Amanda Gordon entered our life, although at a very difficult time with Mr Big. But I have faith that blessings can come from a place of pain and tragedy. If at any time we do come into a situation like this we will certainly reach out to Lap of Love again for TeleAdvice with Dr Amanda Gordon, as we now consider her our "out-of-state" veterinarian. However, if you are lucky enough to live in the same area as Dr Amanda Gordon and come to a point like this with your beloved pet, we highly recommend Dr Amanda Gordon to assist with any part of the transition process. Thank you very much, Dr Amanda Gordon.

Robin

Dallas, Texas

Dr. Michelle Yoshida was very kind and empathetic. She was accommodating with the other pets in the house and was very kind with us and Koda. It was the hardest choice to make, but I know it was right and I am so glad Koda could feel comfortable in her home. She ended her last waking moments happily licking peanut butter and her last sleeping moments snoring in my lap. Unfortunately I have two good friends with elder ailing dogs and they will be using lap of love as well when the time comes. I appreciated that nothing felt rushed as well. Dr. Michelle gave us all the time we needed to sit with her and worked on our time table.

Pleasant Hill, California

Words can’t express how grateful we are to Dr. Rene and Lap of Love for the loving, caring way we could say goodbye to our beloved Minnie. We were blessed to be Minnie’s foster parents in the final year and a half of her long 19 years, and together with Minnie’s first mom, we decided to call Dr. Rene to come to our home for Minnie’s final care. When we called Lap of Love, Julia was an angel on the other end, with such empathy and presence as she walked us through the information and scheduling of Dr. Rene to come to our home. Dr. Rene is gifted with incredible understanding, kindness and compassion, and it was by far the most peaceful goodbye we have ever had with one of our furry loved ones. Dr. Rene’s follow up communication meant the world to us. It may seem like a small thing to send an email and card after the passing of a beloved family member, but it was a very big thing for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Azeneth

Chicago, Illinois

Thank you so much to Dr. Maura for being compassionate and loving towards my Sophie. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better person to be here with my family and I during our last moments with Sophie. Dr. Maura wasn't a stranger in a home. She teared up and cried with us. I was so blown away by her calming aura and the way she spoke to my baby. Thank you for the bottom of my heart for everything that you do.

Rebecca

Niagara Falls, New York

Dr Kathy helped our family to cope with such care and love. Our Jobu was 11 and a pivotal member of our family. Dr. Kathy gave him the love, respect and dignity he deserved. During such a hard time it’s odd to say that I would Recommend the service, but I have and will continue too. When we have pets part of loving them is Showing them support and love In your own home with a veterinarian who clearly loves each and every animal she came across! The best way that we could show Jobu that he didn’t need to fear this process, let him remain IN his own home, was to use Lap of Love when the sad day came. After the whole process all of us felt and KNOW that we have done the right thing by our gentle giant! RIP Jobu.

Jennifer

Chesterfield, New Jersey

Dr. Abby, Thank you so much for all you did. You were so sweet and exactly what the three of us needed. I am so grateful that I found Lap of Love, I honestly don't know what I would have done if we had to take Kipper to our local Vet, I just couldn't bring myself to doing that. He went so peacefully in his favorite spot. There is a serious void in our home and it is very sad and a definite adjustment. Thank you again and I give you so much credit for what you do, it takes a super special kind of person. Take care, Jennifer Russello

Marcia

Sunrise, Florida

Kalvin was the love of our life. He was a puppy mill rescue, so he faced challenges his whole life. From pneumonia when he was only weeks old to a slipped disc at four years. For the last four years, since he was seven, he fought through diabetes, two bouts of pancreatitis, cataract surgery and Cushings disease, and worked through them all like the little fighter be was. Then he went into renal failure and declined quickly. When we were told there was no hope, we were devastated. We took him home to have one more day with him, and called Lap of Love to make arrangements. Dr Jordan came the next afternoon to take care of our baby. He was so gentle with Kalvin and so compassionate with us, he made a very painful circumstance a little easier. Kalvin was able to stay on our bed, which he had shared with us for the seven years he had blessed us with. It was a much easier transition than being in a sterile environment. While my husband and I are still grieving his loss, we can't thank Dr Jordan enough for all he has done for us.

Suzanne

Orlando, Florida

I called Lap of Love to get information knowing that my sweet boy, Mr Big, was not doing well, and wanted 3rd party advice for what we were dealing with. The operator mentioned the TeleAdvice service that they offer, and I was scheduled to meet with Dr Amanda Gordon within 48 hours. Within that short period of time she had familiarized herself with his prognosis after receiving his medical records. She spent an hour with me on a zoom video conference call, talking over his current condition as well as how he had progressed to this point. She was extremely professional, compassionate and empathetic while discussing this very difficult situation we were in. I felt as if I I had known her this whole time, like she was his veterinarian since day 1. We had an instant connection, and it was a much easier conversation than I had anticipated. Not only did she help guide us through the decisions we were having to make, but once we made them, she also wanted us to follow up with her on the outcome. How amazing and blessed we were with her genuine concern and interest in our little boy. She was truly a gift from God. We have always euthanized our fur babies at home and find it a very peaceful process. Unfortunately, his time came quicker than anticipated and he passed at home, in my arms, before the scheduled at-home euthanasia service through Lap of Love. I did reach out to Dr Amanda Gordon to let her know what had happened and she was willing to speak with me again, for a good length of time, providing me comfort and words of love and wisdom for what had just taken place, just as if she had been there to help him pass on to rainbow bridge. We cannot express how very grateful we are that Dr Amanda Gordon entered our life, although at a very difficult time with Mr Big. But I have faith that blessings can come from a place of pain and tragedy. If at any time we do come into a situation like this we will certainly reach out to Lap of Love again for TeleAdvice with Dr Amanda Gordon, as we now consider her our "out-of-state" veterinarian. However, if you are lucky enough to live in the same area as Dr Amanda Gordon and come to a point like this with your beloved pet, we highly recommend Dr Amanda Gordon to assist with any part of the transition process. Thank you very much, Dr Amanda Gordon.

Robin

Dallas, Texas

Dr. Michelle Yoshida was very kind and empathetic. She was accommodating with the other pets in the house and was very kind with us and Koda. It was the hardest choice to make, but I know it was right and I am so glad Koda could feel comfortable in her home. She ended her last waking moments happily licking peanut butter and her last sleeping moments snoring in my lap. Unfortunately I have two good friends with elder ailing dogs and they will be using lap of love as well when the time comes. I appreciated that nothing felt rushed as well. Dr. Michelle gave us all the time we needed to sit with her and worked on our time table.

Pleasant Hill, California

Words can’t express how grateful we are to Dr. Rene and Lap of Love for the loving, caring way we could say goodbye to our beloved Minnie. We were blessed to be Minnie’s foster parents in the final year and a half of her long 19 years, and together with Minnie’s first mom, we decided to call Dr. Rene to come to our home for Minnie’s final care. When we called Lap of Love, Julia was an angel on the other end, with such empathy and presence as she walked us through the information and scheduling of Dr. Rene to come to our home. Dr. Rene is gifted with incredible understanding, kindness and compassion, and it was by far the most peaceful goodbye we have ever had with one of our furry loved ones. Dr. Rene’s follow up communication meant the world to us. It may seem like a small thing to send an email and card after the passing of a beloved family member, but it was a very big thing for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Azeneth

Chicago, Illinois

Thank you so much to Dr. Maura for being compassionate and loving towards my Sophie. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better person to be here with my family and I during our last moments with Sophie. Dr. Maura wasn't a stranger in a home. She teared up and cried with us. I was so blown away by her calming aura and the way she spoke to my baby. Thank you for the bottom of my heart for everything that you do.

Rebecca

Niagara Falls, New York

Dr Kathy helped our family to cope with such care and love. Our Jobu was 11 and a pivotal member of our family. Dr. Kathy gave him the love, respect and dignity he deserved. During such a hard time it’s odd to say that I would Recommend the service, but I have and will continue too. When we have pets part of loving them is Showing them support and love In your own home with a veterinarian who clearly loves each and every animal she came across! The best way that we could show Jobu that he didn’t need to fear this process, let him remain IN his own home, was to use Lap of Love when the sad day came. After the whole process all of us felt and KNOW that we have done the right thing by our gentle giant! RIP Jobu.

Jennifer

Chesterfield, New Jersey

Dr. Abby, Thank you so much for all you did. You were so sweet and exactly what the three of us needed. I am so grateful that I found Lap of Love, I honestly don't know what I would have done if we had to take Kipper to our local Vet, I just couldn't bring myself to doing that. He went so peacefully in his favorite spot. There is a serious void in our home and it is very sad and a definite adjustment. Thank you again and I give you so much credit for what you do, it takes a super special kind of person. Take care, Jennifer Russello

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