In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Castle Rock & Surrounding Neighborhoods

I grew up in Encinitas, California, a surf town suburb of San Diego. I was fortunate to grow up near the beach where it was always bright and sunny. I joke that I am not used to driving in anything that falls from the sky—but I’m working on it! 

I received a field hockey scholarship to UC Berkeley and was interested in becoming a zookeeper. But after spending time working at a veterinary clinic, I discovered a passion for medicine and I knew I wanted to become a veterinarian. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in molecular environmental biology, I attended UC Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine, where I received my veterinary degree. 

I’ve spent my career in emergency and specialty medicine, and am especially passionate about anesthesia and pain management.  My work in emergency medicine has taught me a lot about the importance of quality end-of-life care, and I enjoy collaborating with clients to determine the best way to care for their pets at the end of their life. 

Growing up, I was never present when my pets passed away, but in the past few years, I have had to humanely euthanize two of my cats. I knew I had done everything I could, but I still struggled and wondered if I was selfish for wanting more time with them. My friends were so supportive and showed me how much people need others to reassure them when saying goodbye to a pet, and that is something I do for my clients. 

Being able to provide a gentle and peaceful end to life is a great kindness that we can give our pets who have contributed so much to our lives, and I feel honored to be able to help with that. 

Most of my time outside of work is spent with my two daughters. I have started geocaching with my oldest and am hoping to get her interested in hiking as well. I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, skiing, and playing sports.  I was an NCAA field hockey goalie for UC Berkeley - GO BEARS! I  also enjoy baking, making necklaces, and reading—especially young adult novels like Harry Potter! 

I am the youngest of four and grew up in Northwest Ohio and Kentucky. I always loved horses and animals, and I asked for a dog and a horse every Christmas and birthday. Combined with my proclivity for biology, anatomy, and microbiology in school, my passion for animals led me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

I majored in pre-vet and equine studies at Lake Erie College in Ohio and Western Kentucky University, then attended veterinary school at Auburn University. I also recently completed a nursing degree (BSN) at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. After graduation, I started in equine practice and loved traveling to different farms and being outside. I have also worked in mixed and small animal general practice, and held positions with a company that makes large animal vaccines and biologics. I have also worked with the USDA doing emergency response and field work. For the past several years, I have done relief work for private practices and vaccination clinics. I am also certified in veterinary acupuncture and would like to become certified in equine/canine rehabilitation. I like variety and learning new things, and I prefer mobile practice and being outdoors to being cooped up in a clinic. 

I have had to euthanize several of my own dogs and horses, and I know how difficult the decision can be. Allowing my pets to pass at home definitely provided a better experience than taking them to a clinic. It's never easy to lose a pet, but I feel like the process is a little less stressful if it can be done at home. Several family members, including my dad, have benefitted from human hospice care, and the nurses and doctors were a great comfort for those family members and their loved ones. It is a privilege to be able to provide similar comfort to families at the end of their pet's life. 

When I am not working, I love traveling and being outdoors. I like to hike and compete in dock diving with my dogs, and also love horseback riding, skiing, fishing, and tennis, and I hope to take up golf in the near future. I have completed one marathon and several half marathons, and I also enjoy drawing, painting, crafting, and baking for family and friends. 

My father was in the military, so we moved every two to three years. We lived as far east as Maine and as far west as Hawaii. I loved the experiences I gained, and moving around ultimately led me to Colorado, which is my absolute favorite state. 

I was one of those 5-year-olds who latched on to wanting to become a veterinarian and never let go. The profession fit my desire to keep regular company with creatures I adored while fulfilling the drive to constantly learn and solve problems. 

I earned an associate’s degree from York College in Nebraska, and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma for my bachelors degree. I earned my doctorate degree from Oklahoma State University. 

I found my niche in general practice 20 years ago. It is fulfilling and empowering to walk alongside pet owners from the first days of puppyhood to the rainbow bridge. I enjoy helping them understand what is going on at different life stages so they can make the best decisions about how to care for their pet. I also love general soft tissue and oral surgery. Adding a dedicated time for hospice and compassionate euthanasia will allow me to more completely provide care for the full life of the pet. 

When I was a teenager, my beloved dog Petey was euthanized without our family present. Circumstances dictated that we weren't able to be with him and it tore up my heart. I would like every pet who is facing their last moments to be in a loving and comfortable environment surrounded by the people they love. I see compassionate euthanasia as a mercy for pets who are facing illness or decline, and their families. It is very fulfilling to me to provide circumstances where owners can safely grieve and provide the most gentle release from this life for their pets.

I love to read and hike. Devouring a good book in a few days time or conquering a trail are both rejuvenating and invigorating to me in their own ways.

I am a Louisiana native but knew the heat/humidity was too much for me, so I moved to Colorado 15 years ago. I was not one of those people who always knew I wanted to be a veterinarian, in fact, my original plan was to get a Ph. D in linguistics after completing my bachelor's degree in English at Louisiana State University at Shreveport. Fortunately, I started working in a veterinary practice right out of high school and had that "ah ha" moment during my third year of undergrad that made me realize helping animals was my calling. 

Following graduation, I moved to Colorado to complete my science pre-requisites and then attended veterinary school at Colorado State University. Since graduation I have been a small animal general practitioner in Littleton, Colorado. 

Prior to starting vet school, I read the book Being Mortal by Atul Gawande and it truly changed my trajectory as it teaches us to value QUALITY of life over quantity. We in medicine are taught that death is our ultimate nemesis and to fight against it no matter the literal or physical cost, so I have made it my mission to normalize the conversations around death/dying and to teach my clients that sometimes euthanasia is the most compassionate choice we can make for our pets. I believe that every animal deserves the dignity of a peaceful passing surrounded by their loved ones and have counseled many families with end-of-life care decisions. 

I have been told time and again during a euthanasia, "this must be the hardest part of your job", and my answer is that "it is, but it isn't." It's hard knowing that a family is saying their final goodbye to a beloved pet, but I view death as a last gift we can give our loved ones in their time of suffering. I am grateful that we as veterinarians can provide this for our patients, and it is a privilege and an honor that I can be a guide for families during the most difficult decision we face as pet owners. 

In addition to this rewarding work, I am also a small animal relief veterinarian in the Denver area. I share my life with my husband and our four furry children - my old man Clancy, a 14-year-old Basset Hound, a Bloodhound named Zelda, and two Siberian cats named Margo and Ivan. When I'm not working, I enjoy reading, craft projects, spending time in the Colorado sunshine and traveling.