In-Home Pet Euthanasia in Olympia & Surrounding Neighborhoods

Although my family hails from Pennsylvania, I grew up in North Carolina. Long, hot summers, chirping cicadas, and magnolias will always remind me of home. Now that my husband and I have made our home in Washington, I definitely don't miss the cottonmouths, mosquitos, and humidity! 

Like many children, I was obsessed with animals and wanted to take care of them, so by no surprise, being a veterinarian was my dream job. I drifted away from that dream during my teenage years, after holding a few kennel attendant jobs and seeing how stressed out some of the doctors and staff were. However, after considering other career choices, including being a children's novelist and dog trainer, I decided I couldn't see myself being anything but a veterinarian. I wanted to keep animals healthy, heal them when they were sick, and improve the human-bond when it is threatened by illness, injury, or behavior issues. 

I completed an education "speed run," and was accepted to North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine after only three years of prerequisite classes at High Point University. After receiving my veterinary degree, I quickly settled into practice. I most enjoy preventative and palliative medicine. I love finding ways to keep pets healthy, happy, and mentally enriched; optimizing their quality of life; and ultimately, helping them pass with dignity when the time is right. I enjoy working with animals to provide low-stress handling, training for cooperative care in veterinary procedures, and physical rehabilitation and conditioning. I have completed or am currently pursuing additional certificates in Cat Friendly veterinary medicine, Low-stress and Fear Free techniques, Human-Animal Bond, and Canine Physical Rehabilitation. Senior pets hold my heart, and developing multimodal plans to make the best of their golden years has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. After several years in general practice, I realized I often made the biggest impact during the final moments of a cherished pet's life by helping them pass peacefully, and helping their family transition gracefully through the process of loss. This ultimately led me to Lap of Love and it is an honor to help those families in need with the gift of peaceful euthanasia. 

I have always found it easy to connect with animals, and I knew I would become a veterinarian long before I could pronounce the word. I was born in Clovis, New Mexico, but I spent most of my childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada after my dad was transferred by the Air Force. Most people don’t realize how beautiful Nevada’s desert ecosystem is, and I was fortunate to be surrounded by interesting wildlife throughout my childhood. I also had many pets, including dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits. They quickly became part of my family, and reinforced my desire to pursue veterinary medicine. 

I obtained my undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, where I gained experience teaching animal anatomy and assisting on the university farm. I was part of the first graduating class of the joint Utah State University-Washington State University veterinary program.

Following graduation, I worked in general practice, helping pets live long, happy, and fulfilled lives. I developed a passion for working with older pets, keeping them comfortable and happy during their final years. I am very interested in using a variety of methods to manage pain in senior pets and am currently training in veterinary acupuncture. 

I still remember the loss of my first dog, a yellow Lab named Sunny. I was in first grade and running late to school on the day he passed, and I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye. I was heartbroken that I wasn’t there for his final moments. I am now dedicated to helping families and their pets say goodbye, while surrounded by love in the comfort of their homes. 

During my free time, I enjoy time outdoors. One of the reasons I moved to the Pacific Northwest was the abundance of incredible trails, and I spend a lot of time hiking and backpacking, especially with my dog. I also enjoy swimming and hope to one day complete the swim race from Alcatraz to San Francisco. I’m not always on the go—I also love watching shows and movies while cross stitching. 

Growing up in the small town of Van Alstyne, Texas, I discovered my love for animals during my many visits to my grandfather’s farm in Louisiana. Watching his hard work and the way he cared for his animals inspired me, and led me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Washington before earning my veterinary degree from Ross University. After graduation, I worked in small animal medicine and surgery, which allowed me to help animals live healthy lives, and support their families with information and resources to take the best care of their pets. I had a unique opportunity to care for military working dogs during my deployment as an Army veterinarian. Through this experience, I saw the strength of the human-animal bond firsthand, as well as the importance of providing a peaceful environment for pets during their final moments.

Losing a beloved pet after 18 years together showed me just how difficult it can be to assess your own pet’s quality of life. Having someone else there to help you make that difficult decision and guide you through the process is so special. I enjoy providing that support for families and pets, to ensure the transition is peaceful. 

Outside of veterinary medicine, I enjoy spending time with my dog and cat, hiking, paddle boarding, snowboarding, rock climbing, and traveling. 

I grew up in Renton, Washington, a suburb south of Seattle. Like many veterinarians, I loved caring for animals as a kid. I remember pretending to be a dentist with one of my childhood kittens—much to their dismay—and wanting to become a veterinarian one day.

After I received my bachelor’s degree in ecology from the University of Washington in Seattle, I worked at a veterinary clinic as an assistant, which reaffirmed that veterinary medicine was the right path for me. I applied to veterinary school the following year and received my veterinary degree from Washington State University. 

I enjoy many aspects of my work, and I am especially passionate about feline medicine, behavior, and geriatric care. Every day I get to witness the beauty of the human-animal bond while honoring and strengthening that connection. 

My approach to end-of-life-care has been shaped by experiences with losing my childhood pets—I am grateful that I was able to say goodbye to my pets comfortably at home—and witnessing my grandpa’s amazing hospice team. His team turned a terrible situation into a much more peaceful experience, and as I watched them, I knew I wanted to be able to provide the same level of comfort for families and their pets.

In my role at Lap of Love, I strive to make the experience of losing a pet as peaceful and comforting as possible for pets and their families, to honor the special bond they have shared throughout their life. 

Outside of work, I love going to the beach, hiking, and kayaking with my dogs. I also enjoy cooking, traveling, listening to music, and watching true crime shows and thriller movies.