Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia

I grew up in Payson, Arizona, which is a small town surrounded by forests. I have always been an avid animal lover, and enjoyed assisting at our family ranch or helping out at the local veterinary clinic. Truthfully, as a child I never thought about being a veterinarian; I just assumed everyone loved animals as much as I did. 

When I had almost finished my bachelor’s degree, I was struggling to decide on a career path. I come from a family of nurses and paramedics, though I thought I wanted to try something different than medicine. Turns out, I found that I enjoyed health sciences too much to stay away. Veterinary medicine allowed me to combine my love for animals and science, and the choice became clear. Veterinary school is not easy to get into, especially if you decide at the last minute like I did. I may have developed a few extra grey hairs and lost a lot of sleep along the way, but I did it! And, I am so happy that I did. 

I received my bachelor's degree from Grand Canyon University and my doctorate of veterinary medicine from Midwestern University. I was a national executive board member in the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA), and I advocated for student and veterinarian wellbeing. I have mostly worked in equine and small animal general practice. My favorite part of the day is seeing the bond people have with their pets. Watching how a pet’s demeanor completely changes when they see their owner is the best; that type of love is unconditional! 

One of my first euthanasias as a young doctor was a beagle named Lucy. Though I did not diagnose her condition, her mom came back to speak with me about end-of-life care. She felt how strong my compassion was for Lucy's wellbeing. I was honored she felt that way, and we hugged and cried together. Months later, I remember how excited she was when she brought her new puppy to me. We enjoyed talking about Lucy's memory and all the new adventures she had with Oliver. I believe the ability to end a beloved pet’s pain and suffering is the ultimate gift we can provide. I am so happy to have the ability to provide an end-of-life experience that is beautiful and well-remembered, with the pet surrounded by loved ones in familiar surroundings. 

I recently moved back to Georgia from Colorado to be closer to family, me and my husband are hoping to expand our family beyond our four-legged children. I enjoy hiking with our dogs and roller skating. When I am not outside, I like repurposing old furniture and goodwill finds, and frequenting yard sales and thrift shops.