In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Montgomery County

Growing up in Montgomery County with a menagerie of pets taught me how special the human-animal bond can be. From a young age I knew I not only wanted to be surrounded and enriched by pets for the rest of my life, but I also wanted to give back to them by being an advocate and voice for their needs. 

My journey in the veterinary field started in Northeastern Pennsylvania and continued in Columbus, Ohio where I attended The Ohio State University and graduated with an undergraduate degree in biology with a focus in pre-veterinary medicine. I then went on to attend The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. During veterinary school I was a volunteer for the pet loss support hotline through which I supported families during the end of life process. This experience opened my eyes to the meaningful and important service we provide in this field. 

After graduation, I went back to Southeastern Pennsylvania and for over a decade practiced general medicine in multiple hospitals and clinics. During my career I grew especially drawn to caring for geriatric pets and educating their families about this life stage. I always enjoyed hearing stories that families would share with me about their pets and their lives together. Throughout this time, I was also an adjunct instructor teaching veterinary nurses at the Manor College, Program of Veterinary Technology; and was a veterinarian in the pet insurance industry. I value my varied experiences as a veterinarian advocating for all pets and the veterinary profession; however, I always found myself being called back to the field of veterinary end of life care. 

I decided to pursue this calling after I experienced my own beloved Kitty’s end of life journey. That experience and her passing made it clear to me that I wanted to dedicate my life to help pets and their families by walking with them through the hardest part of any life journey, a loved one’s end of life. 

I believe our pets deserve the best care and all available options, knowledge, and support at the end to honor the lives they live. It is truly an honor for me to help preserve the human-animal bond between pets and their families during this difficult time.

I’m one of those vets that grew up knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my life; I never had any hesitation on career day! I ‘rescued’ box turtles and lizards in our backyard for a few hours before having to set them free. I longed for a puppy or a pony every birthday and Christmas. My family moved from Florida to Texas to Georgia when I was young, making owning pets difficult, but I worked at horse farms, animal clinics, and Zoo Atlanta to make up for what I didn’t have at home.

I followed my dreams and obtained a degree in Animal Science at Berry College in Georgia and then went on to the University of Georgia for Veterinary School. My initial focus was in equine medicine, but I was also lucky to have a broad-based education in all species. Toward the end of vet school, I landed an internship in California and was thrilled to have the opportunity to explore the West while working out there for 11 years in equine ambulatory and small animal practices. In my free time I have always enjoyed traveling, biking, photography and running.

While in California I adopted my ‘heart dog’, Kona, a Catahoula Leopard Dog, who is still my grey muzzle sweetheart today. I also became a military spouse and we ended up landing in Pennsylvania with two more adopted mutts, Maui and Citra. Maui is a very cuddly, brindle Mountain Cur mix who is currently battling Lymphoma. Citra is a shepherd mix and a hindleg-amputee, but also a very loud home security system! These dogs have taught me a lot about medicine, canine fortitude and also about the depth of the human animal bond.

Although I have dogs at home, my feline patients at work are the highlight of my day! I have special interests in feline medicine, dermatology, oncology and, of course, palliative care. I have always felt a special dedication to understanding my patients’ comfort and taking the time to treat them as if they were my own pets. It is an honor and a privilege to provide families a peaceful time to say goodbye in the comfort of their own surroundings.

I spent my childhood in Bangor, Maine before moving to Butler, New Jersey for high school. I loved growing up in the Maine community where I first realized my dream to help animals.  Veterinary medicine was actually my second childhood career choice—my mother says I initially wanted to be a lion tamer in the circus. I think I made the right decision! I loved school, and especially science and math, which fit well with my passion to pursue veterinary medicine. 

I received my bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from Chestnut Hill College, a liberal arts, catholic women's college in Pennsylvania, before attending the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where I received my veterinary degree. 

After graduating, I worked in small animal private practice for 19 years and then in a high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter (HQHVSN) facility for eight years. I certainly enjoyed anesthesia and surgery, but I missed interacting closely with clients to solve difficult medical cases and improve their pet’s quality of life. 

Over the years, I’ve loved and lost many wonderful pets, and while there’s always a part of you that wants to keep them around because you can't bear the thought of not having them, I’ve learned that sometimes letting a pet go is the best, most loving decision you can make for them.

I am sincere in my desire to make a pet's end-of-life transition as smooth and peaceful as possible because I understand how important those final memories are for families as they heal. I often receive notes of appreciation from clients after I help their pet pass, thanking me for my empathy and support—I find that being a tiny female and a big hugger really helps people feel comforted. I know how difficult it is to part with our pets, and I am grateful to be able to make the experience a bit easier for families and their beloved pets. 

Outside of work, I enjoy doing CrossFit with my husband, rock climbing, and hiking—most recently in Iceland where we hiked to an active volcano. Clearly, I enjoy traveling, too. I also love organizing outings, such as escape rooms, arcades, amusement parks, segway tours, museums, ziplines, and other adventures, with friends. 

I grew up on a farm in a small town called Pen Argyl in Pennsylvania with a love for animals, math, and science. With these passions, It’s probably no surprise that I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with animals when I grew up. 

Following those passions, I headed to school to pursue a veterinary career, earning bachelor’s degrees in biology and government from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After completing my undergraduate studies, I attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where I earned my veterinariae medicinae doctoris (VMD)—a DVM degree with a fancy Latin twist currently only conferred on veterinarians who graduate from UPenn.

Working as a veterinarian in general practice, I enjoy using a multi-modal approach to help manage my pet patients’ pain, as I believe that just like humans, all animals are unique and require a tailored pain management plan. I love talking with clients about their animals and explaining their pets’ conditions and treatment in a way that is understandable and helpful. I believe that the more information someone has, the easier it is for them to care for their pet and make the best decisions to support their wellbeing. 

I know from my own experience that sometimes, the best decision for an aging or chronically ill pet is the most difficult one a family has to make. Losing my sweet dog Kona at the age of 12 was incredibly hard, but I knew I was helping her by saying goodbye. As a part of the Lap of Love team, I look forward to supporting families through their pet’s end-of-life process, letting them know that they are not alone in their grief, and providing a peaceful and dignified passing for their beloved pet in the comfort of their home. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Justin, our daughters, Stella and Josie, our cat Bacon, and three dogs Charlie, Mavis, and Cooper. When I’m not watching Stella play soccer or Josie ride horses, I like to run and travel with my family.