In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Naples & Ft. Myers Areas

My earliest memory of veterinary medicine is taking our new golden retriever to get her first set of vaccinations when I was a young child. My mom says after that moment, I set my heart on becoming an animal doctor and nothing was going to change my mind. Many years later, I attended The Ohio State University for my undergraduate degree in Animal Science. After growing tired of the snow and cold weather, I completed veterinary school at St. George’s University located in the Caribbean on the island of Grenada. While I was there, I spent my time coordinating free health clinics for people and their pets. It was those clinics and moments that taught me the importance of the human-animal bond. People didn’t mind waiting in the heat or the rain; they just wanted to make sure their family pet was healthy.

After graduating veterinary school, I moved back home to Fort Myers, Florida to be closer to my family. After a couple of years in general practice, I realized I had a passion and calling for hospice and end of life care. I find it extremely rewarding to help families find ways of providing a good quality of life and comfort to their pet in the final days, and to help guide and support them when it is time to say goodbye. It is such an honor to provide this service to pets at home, in an environment where they’re most comfortable and surrounded by loved ones. While our pets are only here for such a short time, they make such a large impact in every part of our life.

Much of my spare time is spent with family and our multitude of golden retrievers. I often recommend a good lint roller to anyone who comes to our family gatherings. My golden retriever is named Beemer and he is well known for his crazy antics around the house. His two partners in crime are my cats, Harley and Arthur.

I was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, which was the winter home of Thomas Alva Edison and Henry Ford. I grew up around horses, and have always loved spending time with them. I knew early on that I wanted a career that would allow me to be around horses as much as possible. 

I completed my undergraduate work, and then earned my veterinary degree in 2002 from the University of Florida. I started my career with an equine internship in Texas, and then moved back home to work as a large animal veterinarian. In that position, I traveled to various ranches—including one ranch where I met the father of my children at a set of cowpens known as Devil's Garden. I love the nature of ambulatory medicine, and also enjoy providing preventative care for horses and small animals. 

I have been fortunate not to have to make the decision to euthanize any of my own pets, as most of them have died of old age or due to tragic circumstances out of my control. However, I have performed many in-hospital euthanasias, which can be rushed and sterile. I believe that in-home euthanasia is a special gift because it gives the family closure. 

When I am not working, I like to read novels. I would love to travel more, including to Scotland and many places in the U.S. 

I was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, where my father was the original small animal veterinarian. Most of my childhood was spent playing and eventually working in my father’s veterinary hospital, and I knew from a young age that veterinary medicine was the path for me. 

I completed my undergraduate studies in zoology at the University of Georgia where I also attended veterinary school and received my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.  After receiving my degree, I opened my own veterinary hospital as a solo practitioner in Fort Myers. 

I enjoy many aspects of veterinary medicine, particularly the challenges of internal medicine and soft tissue surgery. Diagnosing, treating, and—hopefully—curing my pet patients brings me great satisfaction. I also like getting to know my clients and seeing the special bonds they share with their pets. I care for many pets from a young age through their golden years, and I get to watch their relationship with their owner grow and change along the way. The work I do is very rewarding. 

As a lifelong pet owner, I‘ve had to say goodbye to many of my own pets. I understand how difficult it can be to make that decision and have experienced, firsthand, the grief that accompanies the loss—it's never easy. 

As painful as it can be to lose a pet, it gives me a great sense of satisfaction to know that I'm able to facilitate a peaceful and dignified end to my patients’ suffering and relieve some of their owners’ anguish by providing end-of-life care and at-home euthanasia. 

In addition to working as a veterinarian, I was an avid scuba diver in my younger years. My current interests include boating, fishing, playing tennis, and spending time with my incredible wife. 

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—home to my favorite teams, the Steelers and the Penguins! I loved animals from an early age and always looked for opportunities to be around them. I went with my mom when she took our family pets to the vet, and I eagerly volunteered to care for the class pet, a guinea pig named Buttercup, over the holiday break. It’s no surprise that I decided to become a veterinarian when I was 5 years old. 

I completed my undergraduate studies in biology with minors in anatomy and mathematics at Colorado State University, and I was accepted early into Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where I received my veterinary degree.

As a veterinarian, I love caring for my animal patients and their owners. Over the years, I have developed a passion for pain management and end-of-life care, and I enjoy being able to help keep senior pets comfortable throughout their golden years.  

It's never easy to lose a furry family member, but helping to end a pet's pain and suffering and comforting families through a difficult time makes me feel like I am making a positive difference in the world. I am honored to be part of the Lap of Love team and look forward to supporting many more pets and families. 

When I am not working as a veterinarian, I am an active Catechist and Eucharistic Minister at my church. I also enjoy reading, playing bingo, and watching sports—especially gymnastics, hockey, and football. Most of all, I love spending time with my husband, Mark, my bonus son, Jacob and my daughter Madelyn.