In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Greater Las Vegas & Henderson Area

I was born in West Long Branch, New Jersey and mostly grew up in Cary, North Carolina. One of my earliest memories is my dad bringing me outside to show me a box turtle that showed up in our driveway after a storm. I was fascinated and became obsessed with developing meaningful connections with any animal that I encountered. Having grown up with a wide variety of pets, I maintained a passion for animal care throughout my childhood and into adulthood. Today, I share my home with a chihuahua (he’s my whole world), two high-maintenance cats, two sugar gliders, a corn snake, a carpet python, two dwarf yellow-headed geckos, and a betta fish.  

Becoming a veterinarian was always on my mind because I loved animals so much, but school was always very difficult for me so I considered many other career paths as well. Nevertheless, I ended up going to college at North Carolina State University and got a job at an exotic animal hospital in Raleigh, NC at the end of my freshman year. After only two days of work, it was clear to me that veterinary medicine was my calling and I started to seriously pursue it. As fate would have it, I ended up getting accepted into the DVM program at North Carolina!  

Upon graduating, I briefly worked in exotic general practice in Miami, FL. During this time, I was also working for Lap of Love as Veterinary Care Coordinator. I strive to positively impact the world through veterinary medicine and working as a Veterinary Care Coordinator was the first time that I felt like that was truly occurring. Since then, I was inspired to focus my efforts primarily on end of life care. I have always thought that giving animals a peaceful end of life transition is often the most loving thing that we can do for them. I feel very lucky to have the honor of giving this gift and I see it as the ultimate way to use my skills to “give back” to both pets and their people. 

Outside of end of life care, I maintain a huge interest in exotic/zoo species and have spent time in several zoological institutions. My absolute favorite animals to work with are monkeys! I also particularly enjoy working with marine mammals, large reptiles, and all kinds of “creepy crawlies.” Other than animals, I enjoy video games, art, music, working out, the craft beer scene, tattoos and piercings, and just spending time with friends (and their dogs, of course)!

I was born in California and grew up in Las Vegas. My first childhood dog piqued my interest in veterinary medicine, which was strengthened by volunteering at a local veterinary clinic and taking horseback riding lessons. Other pets along the way, including Ponzu, the puppy who was abandoned in the intensive care unit, and Rowty, the goat I bottle fed since birth during veterinary school, fed my love for animals. 

After obtaining my bachelor degree from Nevada State college, I completed veterinary school at Washington State University, and was a part of the regional program at Utah State University, which allowed me to attend both schools. I have spent many years practicing emergency medicine, and I enjoy surgery. I enjoy being able to help animals who do not have a voice, and providing them care and support. I have also worked with a local feral cat clinic. Helping stray cats who are not feeling well and do not have a family to support them was so incredibly fulfilling.

I have lost many pets over the years from my heart dog of more than 16 years, to a puppy I had for three weeks whom I helped find peace after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. No matter the time frame our pets are in our lives, each loss has left a significant impact on my heart. Knowing I was able to help them through the transition and rest peacefully brings me comfort. 

Throughout my time in emergency medicine, I have always been drawn to helping families during the delicate time of saying goodbye. I’m able to find a unique bond with families through those unplanned and sudden losses that often occur in that type of environment. By joining Lap of Love, I am now able to help families provide comfort to their pets in a familiar place. 

Outside of veterinary medicine, I enjoy spending time outdoors. My favorite activities include hiking, off-roading, and camping. I love a good bonfire, and always carry a hammock with me. My days off are better when spent with my pets! 

My hometown is a small mountain town called Pine Mountain Club, California, which is in a beautiful, forested area where everyone knows everyone else. My family moved around a lot when I was younger, but when I was 10, we moved to Ridgecrest, California, which is a small, middle-of-nowhere, desert town centered around a naval base. 

I have wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. I was the kid who played with the bait worms instead of actually fishing, and talked to the birds and played with dogs before socializing with humans. My childhood dog, a sweet Golden retriever named Whiskey, gets the credit for my love of animals. Any time I was upset, she would make me pet her until I forgot my sadness and felt happy again. She perfectly illustrated the human-animal bond. 

I went to college at Fresno State, and then attended Ross University in St. Kitts for my first year of veterinary school before transferring to UC Davis for the remainder. I have worked in general practice since graduating, and although I enjoy interpreting lab work and X-rays, and formulating treatment plans, I most enjoy surgery, preventive care, and client education. 

I am fortunate to have not yet lost a pet, but I have a geriatric Chihuahua who has been with me through everything. I know the time is coming when I'll have to put her needs before mine and say goodbye, so I am soaking up every moment I can with her sweet and sassy little face. 

Though helping animals is my main motivation for being a veterinarian, helping and building bonds with people is also a very important part of what I do. If I can make one of the toughest days of someone's life a little easier and more peaceful, my job is worth it. I cherish the moments of bonding that I see when people say goodbye to their pets—the love is undeniable and unforgettable. Witnessing that beautiful relationship and helping animals pass with grace keeps me going on difficult days.

In my spare time, I can be found chasing my adorable son, playing with my cat and two dogs, or discussing medical cases with my husband, who is a fellow veterinarian. I also enjoy baking, binge-watching a good TV series, and crafting.

I have wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. Growing up on the South Shore of Long Island, New York, I was fascinated with all animals, and at 3 years old, my parents got me my first cat. Over the years, my love for taking care of animals grew, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. 

I became a licensed veterinary technician after completing my first two years of college, and finished my undergraduate studies at Stony Brook University on Long Island. During that time, I worked at a small animal clinic before attending veterinary school at St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies. The Caribbean was an amazing place to live while studying to be a veterinarian! I spent my final clinical year of veterinary school at Ohio State University, where I learned to really hone my skills. 

After vet school, I moved to Santa Clarita, California and worked at a small animal clinic for eight years. I enjoyed performing surgery, dental procedures, and internal medicine, but I also loved working with the community and providing low-cost affordable care for families and their pets. 

I’ve learned to view euthanasia in a different way while working in general practice over the years. Some people think it’s the hardest part of being a veterinarian, but I consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to use my skills and knowledge to help families during the hardest part of being a pet owner. Losing a beloved pet is something all of us will go through at some point in our lives, and  providing a calm and peaceful environment for families and their loved ones is so special. The connections I’ve made with families during these hard times have been very rewarding. 

Outside of veterinary medicine, I spend much of my  time with my rescue pitbull, Kismet, hiking, exploring new parks, and going to the beach. I enjoy working on my home by learning new skills with power tools and restoring furniture. I also love being outside, swimming, cooking, and spending time with my family.

I grew up in Ohio and Virginia. After moving up and down the East Coast, my husband and I settled in Las Vegas after I graduated from veterinary school in 1991. I have enjoyed being around animals for as long as I can remember. 

I earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry, and a master's degree in biochemistry, and then went on to receive my veterinary degree from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Following veterinary school, I pursued additional training in avian and exotic animal medicine and surgery, which included working with zoo animals such as birds, reptiles, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas. I also have training in animal physical therapy and I am a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP). 

I have enjoyed working with dogs, cats, and many other pet species that often become family members. It is a privilege to help families provide the best possible care for their pets. 

I have had many pets over the years, and losing a pet due to advanced age or terminal illness is inevitable, but heartbreaking. Although euthanasia is often the most difficult decision we make for our pets, it is also the kindest decision when there are no other options for managing their pain or providing a good quality of life. As veterinarians, we can help families make these difficult decisions and guide them through the process. 

My husband and I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and RVing with our three rescue dogs: Tulip the Chihuahua, Timber the mastiff mix, and Teddy the golden retriever. Our other pets include a 30-year-old African gray parrot and several tortoises and lizards, who are also rescues. I am also an indoor plant hobbyist!