In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Knoxville & Surrounding Areas

Even before entering the veterinary field, I felt the strength of the human-animal bond. Our first family dog, Becca, was a gentle giant of a Boxer who graced us with many fun, loving, selfless years. My favorite memories of her include her wrestling us as children to tickle our faces with her muzzle, sledding with her at our home in Massachusetts, and when she came home leading a hiker who had been lost in our woods. When she passed, I remember the void that was left behind in her place, and I was so grateful to have such wonderful memories to keep with me in her absence.  

Becca was one of many reasons I pursued a career in veterinary medicine. After attending Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, I followed my passion to the University of Tennessee to complete an internship in Equine Field Service. It was at my first job, a mixed animal practice in Oregon, that I gained a true appreciation of the importance of at home end of life care. What an honor it is to be able to give my patients a peaceful passing in their own homes, surrounded by their loving families. It is a privilege to provide this service and bring comfort to such grateful families in their time of need.  

I am so glad to be back in Tennessee, and I look forward to helping families in and around Knoxville. When not working, I enjoy traveling, hiking in the Smokies, watching the Vols, and spending time at home with my kitties.  

I grew up riding horses and hiking in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. I knew that I wanted to go into medicine and care for people and animals after joining my dad, a physician, on house calls for his homebound patients as a child in Cocke County. It was my experience working alongside the compassionate, patient veterinarians in my hometown veterinary hospital in Newport as a high school student that solidified my decision to pursue veterinary medicine for my career.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, I worked in a busy companion animal practice outside of Houston, Texas and developed a strong interest in geriatric pet care and end-of-life care. Being able to connect with families and help them during such a delicate time while also providing excellent communication has truly become a passion of mine. Since 2017, I have also been working in the academic and assessment side of veterinary medicine, helping students and graduates navigate the process of taking their national licensing exam. 

I was lucky enough to serve families in Atlanta with Lap of Love from 2019 - 2022 before moving back home to Tennessee. Being able to provide this kind of care and support to families here is even more special knowing that my dad is the medical director for a Home Health and Hospice company just down the road — I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It is my greatest priority and honor to provide a peaceful passing for beloved pets and a comfortable experience for the people who love them.

Pronouns: She/Her

I was born and raised in the foothills of Northern California in a little rural city called Rough and Ready. Growing up, I lived on a 2-acre hobby farm with my mom and brother, where we often saw chickens, goats, sheep, horses, dogs, cats and bunnies at any one time. My mom was my soul inspiration for becoming a veterinarian - she was, and is, my hero. Though she was not a vet herself, she has the biggest heart of any person, and a deep love, respect, and passion for all animals. I am undoubtedly certain that my compassion, empathy, and desire to help animals stemmed from her. 

I have lost several pets over the course of my life, all of which have taught me the delicacy around those final moments. Sadly, most of my pets were sudden losses, except for my first dog, Rudy. Rudy was a Shepherd/Rottweiler mix and my best friend for 15 years. I was in my first year of vet school when I made the difficult decision to euthanize him. Rudy struggled for quite some time to get up and down and had little to no muscle mass in his back legs. He still followed me to the barn, but sometimes wouldn’t get there until I was ready to go back. Mentally, he was still alert and had so much life in his eyes, but I knew he was in pain. We were on the brink of winter and he always hurt more during the cold months. I did not want to see him suffer so I made the decision to euthanize him. To this day, I still question if I made the right decision; it’s a feeling that I can completely relate to with the families I help. Through my experiences with the loss of my own pets, I’ve grown to realize it is better to make the decision a day too soon than a moment too late. 

I’ve made several moves since graduating vet school, practicing small animal medicine in VA, WA, GA and TN. In September 2020, I moved back to Knoxville, TN to be closer to home, and this is where I plan to stay. After several years in general practice and growing a genuine love for geriatric patients, I have decided to pursue that passion in bringing comfort and peace to animals in their final days. I love educating clients about preventing disease and enjoy helping our senior companions maintain their quality of life as long as possible and when the time comes, delivering peace in their final moments. 

I’m a proud alumna of the University of Tennessee for both undergraduate and veterinary school. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two sons, exploring the outdoors, socializing with friends, taking pictures, crafting, jewelry making, and coloring. 

Born and raised in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in a town called Maryville—“Mar-vul” to locals—my love for animals blossomed at an early age. I idolized my Aunt Maggie, a veterinarian and avid horsewoman, but it wasn’t until I was a sophomore in college that I was absolutely sure I wanted to be a veterinarian. After nearly losing my horse to a horrible disease and experiencing the kindness and compassion with which her veterinarian treated us both, I knew I too wanted to help people and animals during their hardest moments. 

I received my undergraduate and doctorate of veterinary medicine degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Having grown up around horses, I had planned to start a career in equine medicine, but later decided to broaden my reach and began working at a small animal practice in Sevierville, Tennessee. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed small animal medicine, and most of all, how much I loved senior pets. Most people assume we get into this job for the puppies and kittens, but my true love and passion is for the grey-muzzled seniors who have taught me more than any other. 

Loving a senior pet, especially if they become terminally ill, can be a roller coaster ride. Being able to advocate for them and give support to their owners fills my heart with incredible joy. My greatest teacher has been my 14-year-old yellow Labrador, Bella. Navigating the ins and outs of aging with her has taught me the true beauty of providing a quality of life for the precious angels who deserve all the best we can give.

I truly feel it was my calling to be led to this amazing Lap of Love family. I’m honored to have the opportunity to help pets and their families during those last intimate and precious moments, and I look forward to serving those amazing families for years to come. 

I grew up outside of Knoxville in the small town of Vonore, Tennessee. I lived on a lake close to the mountains, so many summers were spent camping or in the water. My grandfather was a veterinarian and loved to tell stories about helping animals. He has always been a role model for me, and I am proud to have followed in his footsteps. 

I attended the University of Tennessee for my undergraduate studies as well as veterinary school. After receiving my veterinary degree, I worked as a field service technician veterinarian, and I loved visiting the interesting areas where I practiced. I have worked in mixed animal and small animal practices, and I’ve always enjoyed working on complicated medical cases and providing geriatric care to improve my patients’ quality of life. 

The decision to end a beloved pet’s suffering is kind, difficult, and personal, and I believe the end-of-life experience should be personal as well. I said a peaceful “goodbye” to my 14-year-old golden retriever mix in 2021, in the comfort of my home, and it made all the difference for him and my family. It is such an honor for me to be able to provide this for other pets—allowing them to pass in their home, surrounded by loved ones, while ensuring all families have access to these services. 

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking—we love Frozen Head—gardening, reading, watching B-list horror movies, crafting, and traveling.