In-Home Pet Euthanasia in San Diego & Surrounding Areas

Growing up in a suburban town outside of Kansas City, Missouri, I immediately connected with the natural world around me, and particularly with the fellow creatures we inhabit it with. My first pet was a dachshund named Lucky, and although our family soon experienced an influx of dachshunds, Lucky definitely played a large role in my path towards veterinary medicine.

I spent 8 formative years at the University of Missouri, in which triathlon racing, sand volleyball, exotic and zoo animal care, and global travel all found a way to transition into my life, but the heart and soul of my time at the University centered around veterinary medicine. It was during these years that I also faced the loss of my beloved Lucky, and that I came to appreciate the impact our pets have on our life. I’ve been fortunate to share life’s journey with a variety of other animal companions over the years, and each of them has had their own special and unique impact on who I am today.

Following graduation, I moved to San Diego, California, and started work in both general and emergency veterinary practices. Amidst the sunshine, beaches, hiking, and quality time I get to spend with my own personal cat, I enjoyed the opportunity to serve many pets and help continue to keep them happy and healthy. I also quickly realized that some of the most impactful moments I get to share with a pet and their family is during the end of life process. It was this realization that led me to Lap of Love.

Our animal companions consistently offer us unconditional love and undivided attention, no matter what obstacles or challenges we face in our life. Honoring that dedication and special bond with an equally impactful end of life experience is what I strive to offer through our services here at Lap of Love. While I may never fully comprehend how much your pet has meant to you, I promise you that I will do my all to ensure their final moments with you are ones that you can cherish forever.

I was born in Worthington, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, and have been drawn to animals since childhood. In fact, my very first word was not “Mama” or “Dada,” but “dog.” 

Fueled by my passion for animals, I decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and headed off to Ohio State University—Go  Bucks!—where many of my family members had also attended. I completed my undergraduate studies and veterinary school at OSU, and I am very proud to be a Buckeye. 

After graduating, I worked in general practice and emergency medicine, caring for animals and supporting families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Through my work, I’ve come to value the beauty of the human and animal bond and the importance of providing quality end-of-life care. We all deserve dignity, respect, and comfort during our lives—and when we pass. If we could choose, most of us would prefer to spend our final moments in the comfort of our home, surrounded by our family, and I believe our pets would choose that, too. 

My role at Lap of Love gives me the opportunity to provide pets with a peaceful and dignified passing in a familiar environment with the people they love while supporting families as they grieve the loss of a family member. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my own animals, including my two cats, two rabbits, and three dogs. 

I grew up in Oswego, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. In junior high, I was intrigued and challenged by my science classes, and in high school, I fell in love with anatomy and physiology. My passion for science and love for animals made veterinary medicine the perfect career choice.

I earned a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois. I have worked in a small animal emergency practice, caring for pets and their families during the most stressful and critical times. I also worked at a small animal general practice, where I provided wellness and preventive care, and helped manage pets with a variety of illnesses. My favorite part of being a veterinarian is connecting with clients on a personal level, and the most rewarding and intimate moments have come from helping families. Each pet and family is different, and I value the ability to give each the time and type of support they need and deserve.

When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, cooking, and taking my dog to the beach.

I grew up in Buffalo, New York—Go Bills!—and I still miss the snow. I have always loved animals and during the Blizzard of 1977, when I was 14 years old, I found a 145-pound Saint Bernard wandering the streets. I took him home, located his owner, and felt so good being of service and reuniting him with his owner. I was inspired by that experience and eager to continue serving animals. I began volunteering at a cat clinic and never looked back. 

After high school, I completed veterinary technician school in Delhi, New York, and worked as a technician for several years before deciding to attend veterinary school. I graduated from Cornell and Ross University respectively, received my veterinary degree, and began working as a veterinarian at a small animal practice. 

I have never truly “worked” a day in this field, and that is why I love it. I love kitties, and their tiny kitten teeth, pugs and their adorable curly tails, and “orange boy” cats and their friendly personalities. Of course, there is more to being a veterinarian than the abundance of cute animals, although that is quite a perk. I also enjoy teaching new technicians and vet school grads, doing surgery, and even performing euthanasia to relieve a pet’s suffering. 

Losing a pet is always heartbreaking. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to euthanize my own pets at home, which gave the rest of my family a chance to say goodbye and made the process more peaceful for everyone. 

Providing at-home, end-of-life care for pets and their families is a gift I feel honored to use, and I am grateful that my Lap of Love role allows me to comfort and support others by creating a quiet and compassionate space to say goodbye to a beloved furry family member. 

When I am not working, I enjoy gardening, attending sporting events, reading, watching movies, and taking my three pugs to the beach.

I was born and raised in the Japanese countryside and had many different pets, including dogs, birds, fish, frogs, crawfish, horn beetles, turtles, and chipmunks. While I have always had an empathetic heart toward all creatures and the people who love them, I didn’t pursue veterinary medicine until later in life. 

I spent my early years in Japan as a pianist and sound engineer before life unexpectedly led me to the United States. While living in Texas, I began volunteering at a local shelter, where I reconnected with my passion for helping animals and ultimately decided to pursue a veterinary career. 

Eager to start on my new path, I attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed my clinical rotation at Louisiana State University—Geaux Tigers!

Through my experiences as a pet owner and veterinarian, I have learned how important and appreciated quality end-of-life care is for pets and their owners. When I had to say goodbye to my soul dog, Rudy, I experienced firsthand the comfort and relief that at-home end-of-life services provide, and I am honored to provide this for others. What an incredible gift it is to be able to help people and pets through the end-of-life transition in the comfort of their homes, surrounded by the people who love them. 

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my pets. I’m a proud mom of three chinchillas, Kotton, Kandy, and Vanilla, a Syrian hamster, Kronut, and a foster-fail, dachshund mix, Mama Bean—I am a dachshund and rodent fanatic! I have discovered a love for hiking and climbing mountains and am an avid high-altitude climber and mountaineer. I love exploring the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and I dream of climbing in the Himalayas one day.