In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Berks

I grew up in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY, called Alden. I wanted to be a vet from the time I could walk and constantly brought home stray cats, cleared innocent worms from sidewalks after the rain fell, and watched nature programs without ceasing. I evolved from there, when I got a dog at age 8 and began to ride horses at 10. I attended veterinary school at Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada. 

I enjoy an eclectic smattering of disciplines within the veterinary field, including beef feedlot medicine, exotic medicine, horse sports medicine, homeopathic alternatives such as chiropractic and acupuncture, and geriatric medicine/end of life care. I love being a vet because I am passionate about helping people, and I understand that when I am working with someone’s pet, I’m working with their family member. I also recognize that I’m treating the client in addition to the animal. 

Unfortunately, I have lost several pets in my life ranging from birds to horses. The most devastating to me was when my dog, who had a severe heart murmur, died in my arms while I was helping the cardiologist hold him for and ultrasound. My last dog to pass went through extensive geriatric care, and sadly passed while I was in veterinary school. From these experiences, I understand the difficulty of saying goodbye to a beloved friend. I love helping families say goodbye and give their friend the most dignified end that they can by administering peace at home. I joined Lap of Love knowing I can help families through difficult times and the grief that they may be feeling.

Outside of veterinary medicine I enjoy running, triathlons, kayaking, kickboxing, hunting, painting, playing piano, and just fooling around with my two dogs at the dog park.

Pronouns: She/Her

Ever since I learned that marine biologists don’t spend all day swimming with dolphins, I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian. I grew up in Easton, PA, dreaming of being just like James Herriot. After completing a bachelor’s degree at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA, I graduated veterinary school from his alma mater, the University of Glasgow. After graduation, I relocated to Frederick, MD and started at a mixed animal practice that enabled me to help families of both the “small” and “large” variety. While there, I realized that the times I felt most fulfilled involved guiding families through end of life decisions for their furry family members.

After attending several lectures presented by Dr. Dani McVety and Dr. Mary Gardner, I had a bit of a light-bulb moment when it became apparent that end of life care was a real career option. Shortly after returning home from that conference, my own dog fell ill. Hogan had been there for me and my family through quite a few major life events, and I ended up having to help him gain his wings after a brief battle with cancer. Being able to give him the gift of being in his own backyard (his favorite place to lay and people watch) cemented in my mind that I wanted to be able to do the same for other families.

Aside from veterinary life, I also enjoy spending time with my husband and our two dogs, Rocky, the black lab and Willow, the boxer mix. I also enjoy photography, singing, musical theatre, reading, crafts, camping, traveling, and horseback riding, and have also started flyball training with Willow.

Pronouns: She/Her

Growing up in the “Amish country” of Lancaster, Pennsylvania—no, I'm not Amish—I spent most of my time around animals and had almost every pet you can imagine. My father was a high school biology teacher and had countless classroom pets, including snakes, rats, iguanas, and tarantulas. My love for animals and fascination with medicine made a veterinary career the obvious choice for me. 

I received my bachelor’s degree in animal behavior from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster before attending the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

After receiving my veterinary degree, I moved back up north with my wife and began a small animal rotating internship with a focus on emergency and critical care. Even with the 12-hour overnight shifts, I loved working in the emergency room and spent four years doing that work. While working in emergency medicine, I performed countless euthanasia procedures. Being able to end an animal’s suffering while helping clients through this difficult time was one of the most fulfilling parts of my work, and it shaped me into a kinder and more compassionate person. 

I’ve had many animals in my life, and dealing with their passing was never easy. But, I’ve learned that having a kind and gentle person who treats your pet with love and respect during the process makes all the difference in the world. In my role at Lap of Love, I aim to be a strong, kind, and gentle presence to help families through this difficult time. 

When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, tinkering with my computer, and spending as much free time as possible with my wife and our three cats! 

I grew up in Queens, New York, and have had dogs and cats my entire life. When I was a child, my father would take us to the Bronx Zoo weekly, and we often traveled to Ireland to visit family, where I spent countless days helping on their dairy farm. This experience sparked my love for all types of animals and was a big part of my decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. 

I earned my bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Scranton, in Pennsylvania, before attending veterinary school at St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies, where I graduated as the class valedictorian. 

For almost twenty years, I have been practicing small animal medicine and surgery. Some of the most touching moments I have experienced as a veterinarian have been helping families navigate end-of-life decisions for their beloved pet. 

After I got married, my husband and I adopted a puggle who had severe pneumonia. We took him into our home so that I could care for him, and despite specialists predicting he would only live about a year, we enjoyed seven great years together. He accompanied me to work almost every day and we shared a special bond. When his health declined, I had to make the decision to let him go, and I still feel the hole in my heart that many families feel after losing their pet. 

Saying goodbye to a pet is a very difficult and emotional time, and having a support system in place can make the process a little more comforting. Providing this support for families brings me deep fulfillment.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, relaxing outdoors, and spending time with my husband, our two daughters, and our dog. We recently relocated to the Lehigh Valley area and look forward to exploring all it has to offer.

I grew up in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where I still reside with my family today. I have always loved animals, and I knew from the time I was 8 years old that I wanted to be a veterinarian.

To achieve this goal, I worked hard and focused on my education, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in animal biotechnology and conservation with a concentration in small animal science—as well as a minor in English—from Delaware Valley University, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. I then traveled abroad and attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, in St. Kitts Island in the Caribbean before completing my clinical year at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

It’s been a journey to discover my place in the veterinary field, and I wasn’t always sure if this was the right path for me. I began working in general practice but continued to search for my place in this vast field. One of my most impactful moments occurred after veterinary school. I sat in for a euthanasia appointment and listened to my mentor compassionately explain the process to the family in the room, calling their decision “one of the kindest acts we can offer our pets.” That really resonated with me, as I thought back to watching my grandmother battle Alzheimer’s diseases and feeling helpless watching her suffer. 

I feel blessed to have been given an incredible gift to bring peace and comfort to families and their beloved furry family members during these difficult moments. While the process of humane euthanasia is never easy, I view it as an act of kindness toward our pets, and I am honored to be a part of Lap of Love and provide this service to others. 

Outside of the veterinary field, I enjoy spending time with my family and our cat, Vanessa. I also enjoy reading, cooking, doing counted cross stitch, attending church, and volunteering at church functions.