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Dr. Sara

Poughkeepsie & Surrounding Neighborhoods

I am originally from Rochester, Michigan—home to Superman ice cream, Faygo pop (not soda), and Petoskey stones. My love for veterinary medicine began while spending summers working and volunteering at the Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary and Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida.

I earned a master’s degree in molecular biology from Oakland University in Michigan, and then attended veterinary school at Ross University. I have worked in private practice for more than a decade, and I love improving the lives of the animals in my care

As a pet owner, I have lost many pets over the years. Fortunately, most of them were able to be euthanized at home, surrounded by love and comfort. In-home euthanasia is truly a gift that everyone should have access to. A pet’s passing is one of the most memorable experiences pet owners have, but it doesn't have to be a negative experience. My goal is to bring peace and comfort to everyone involved in a pet’s end-of-life journey.

When I am not working, my husband and I love hiking and spending time in nature. I love plants of all kinds, and consider myself an amateur botanist.

Our services

We’re here to support you when you need it

In-Home Euthanasia

At Lap of Love, we take the utmost pride in helping your pet experience a peaceful passing in the comfort and tranquility of their home.

Veterinary Hospice

Family-focused, in-home hospice care ensures your dog or cat is comfortable and happy during their final days.

Aftercare

From cremation to personal keepsakes, our aftercare services allow you to forever memorialize your beloved dog or cat.

Telehospice

Personal phone/video calls, during which a Lap of Love team member will help you gain clarity around what's best for your ailing or aging pet.

Pet Loss Support

Join our free, virtual Pet Loss Support Groups. Discussions are focused on healthy coping skills, grief reactions, and honoring the lives of your furry family member.

In-Home Euthanasia

At Lap of Love, we take the utmost pride in helping your pet experience a peaceful passing in the comfort and tranquility of their home.

Veterinary Hospice

Family-focused, in-home hospice care ensures your dog or cat is comfortable and happy during their final days.

Aftercare

From cremation to personal keepsakes, our aftercare services allow you to forever memorialize your beloved dog or cat.

Telehospice

Personal phone/video calls, during which a Lap of Love team member will help you gain clarity around what's best for your ailing or aging pet.

Pet Loss Support

Join our free, virtual Pet Loss Support Groups. Discussions are focused on healthy coping skills, grief reactions, and honoring the lives of your furry family member.

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Cherine

Fairfield, California

Unfortunately, I am not new to the experience of having to have a pet put down. I am however new to having it done in my home. Rex was an 115# Tibetan Mastiff that was only eight years young, which surprisingly is not old for that particular breed. I have been married for over 30 years now and we never had children so as you can imagine our pets are our "children". Making that final call to a vet is always a struggle, even when you think you're doing the right thing. Dr. Rene came to my house and made an unbearable process almost tolerable. She was incredibly sympathetic and compassionate while remaining professional and informative. While I miss him everyday, there is peace in knowing that I did the right thing and he isn't suffering. This experience has solidified that when I have to make that call again, and I know I will, I will call Lap of Love as I can't imagine it any other way.

Emma & Colby

Chattanooga, Tennessee

I am so thankful we used Lap of Love to help us say goodbye to our sweet Rocco. I truly cannot imagine getting through such a heartbreaking experience without the help of our vet, Dr. Rachel. She made us feel so comfortable and at ease and talked us through every step of the process. I cannot thank her enough for helping us get through such a hard day. Being able to say goodbye in the comfort of our home was so meaningful and really helped us get through the process. Thank you again for your care and support.

Kelly

Hudson, New York

Yesterday Dr. Santspree helped me honor my furry best friend last wishes. My Strega was diagnosed with a carcinoma of the lung approximately 2 weeks ago. I was devastated, anxious, and most of all heartbroken! I adopted Strega as a kitten and she had always been there for the past 11 years. She was there during the good times and the bad. She wasn't always the friendliest feline but I truly loved her. There is a huge hole in my heart with the passing of my Strega. I cannot thank Lap of Love enough! Dr. Melanie was amazing! She came to my home on Monday to sit with me and do an in home consult. I was able to discuss my wishes for Strega's last days, but most importantly she allowed me to tell our story. She took the time to talk with me and was very gentle with Strega. Strega was independent and sassy. She definitely let Dr Melanie know this. On Wednesday night I called Dr Melanie so we could discuss Strega's condition and set up her peaceful euathansia. I am so grateful for Dr Melanie. She really made one of the most difficult days of my life easier. I would highly recommend Dr Melanie to anyone. I wish we could have met under different circumstances but I would love to thank her for all that she has done for Strega and I. <3 Kelly

Meredith

Orlando, Florida

His compassion, kindness, and patience was so helpful during this very tender process. Thank you.

Heather

Clinton Township, Michigan

Dr. Amy was such a comfort to us. She was so kind to us during this difficult time. She treated Riley like an old friend and it helped to know he was in good hands. Honestly, we were blown away with the compassion and respect and we are so grateful to her.

Tim

Seattle , Washington

She was amazing. She took amazing care of Buddy and me. I’m so grateful for her kindness and graciousness. I really can’t say enough. Dr. Jen was brilliant. She made a very difficult time for Buddy and me navigable. I want to thank the staff I spoke with twice. They were incredibly kind and sweet with me. I really appreciate their assistance and thoughtfulness. Thank you to everyone behind the scenes that made Buddy’s transition a really good one. We really appreciate everything you all did to help us in this most difficult time. Happiness and love to you all.

Center Valley, Pennsylvania

Dr. Amy Parrish showed great care and kindness in helping Mocha transition. Dr. Amy also spent some time with Mocha when she first arrived so Mocha became acquainted and comfortable with her. It was not stressful for Mocha because she was in familiar surroundings and was resting on her favorite pillow on the couch, with Dr. Amy sitting next to her. Mocha's transition was painless and peaceful, and freed her from the suffering she was experiencing during her last few days. We were greatly relieved to see how the initial sedative shot put Mocha into a deep sleepy state, just like how she used to sleep so deeply and was the first rest and peace she had in days. There is no question that in-home end-of-life transitioning was the best thing for Mocha. Because Mocha did not like to travel and became more skittish in her later years, and she usually needed two days to get back to normal from a trip to the vet, we could not imagine the extreme stress from driving her to a clinical setting. It would have been unbearable for us to see Mocha in such stress in her final moments. This is not intended to disparage end-of-life transition support at vet clinics and their important critical care services, but simply that it was not the best approach for Mocha.

Steve & Lisa

Holbrook, New York

Dear Dr. Kristine: First off, thank you for your kind and loving words during this most difficult time. Our house feels so empty without our baby girl Oreo but we are learning to cope. It's been an extremely difficult and sad time for us. We want to thank you for helping us put our Oreo girl at ease and have her cross the Rainbow Bridge so peacefully. You are truly an Angel in every sense of the word and there are no words to thank you for helping our baby girl to not suffer anymore. We are suffering without her because the love we feel for her and will always feel for her will never end. We just pray that we see her again in the afterlife. We hope and pray she knows how loved she was and will always be! Thank you for doing what you do, to us, you are an Angel sent from above. Sincerely, Lisa and Steve Durante

Cherine

Fairfield, California

Unfortunately, I am not new to the experience of having to have a pet put down. I am however new to having it done in my home. Rex was an 115# Tibetan Mastiff that was only eight years young, which surprisingly is not old for that particular breed. I have been married for over 30 years now and we never had children so as you can imagine our pets are our "children". Making that final call to a vet is always a struggle, even when you think you're doing the right thing. Dr. Rene came to my house and made an unbearable process almost tolerable. She was incredibly sympathetic and compassionate while remaining professional and informative. While I miss him everyday, there is peace in knowing that I did the right thing and he isn't suffering. This experience has solidified that when I have to make that call again, and I know I will, I will call Lap of Love as I can't imagine it any other way.

Emma & Colby

Chattanooga, Tennessee

I am so thankful we used Lap of Love to help us say goodbye to our sweet Rocco. I truly cannot imagine getting through such a heartbreaking experience without the help of our vet, Dr. Rachel. She made us feel so comfortable and at ease and talked us through every step of the process. I cannot thank her enough for helping us get through such a hard day. Being able to say goodbye in the comfort of our home was so meaningful and really helped us get through the process. Thank you again for your care and support.

Kelly

Hudson, New York

Yesterday Dr. Santspree helped me honor my furry best friend last wishes. My Strega was diagnosed with a carcinoma of the lung approximately 2 weeks ago. I was devastated, anxious, and most of all heartbroken! I adopted Strega as a kitten and she had always been there for the past 11 years. She was there during the good times and the bad. She wasn't always the friendliest feline but I truly loved her. There is a huge hole in my heart with the passing of my Strega. I cannot thank Lap of Love enough! Dr. Melanie was amazing! She came to my home on Monday to sit with me and do an in home consult. I was able to discuss my wishes for Strega's last days, but most importantly she allowed me to tell our story. She took the time to talk with me and was very gentle with Strega. Strega was independent and sassy. She definitely let Dr Melanie know this. On Wednesday night I called Dr Melanie so we could discuss Strega's condition and set up her peaceful euathansia. I am so grateful for Dr Melanie. She really made one of the most difficult days of my life easier. I would highly recommend Dr Melanie to anyone. I wish we could have met under different circumstances but I would love to thank her for all that she has done for Strega and I. <3 Kelly

Tim

Seattle , Washington

She was amazing. She took amazing care of Buddy and me. I’m so grateful for her kindness and graciousness. I really can’t say enough. Dr. Jen was brilliant. She made a very difficult time for Buddy and me navigable. I want to thank the staff I spoke with twice. They were incredibly kind and sweet with me. I really appreciate their assistance and thoughtfulness. Thank you to everyone behind the scenes that made Buddy’s transition a really good one. We really appreciate everything you all did to help us in this most difficult time. Happiness and love to you all.

Center Valley, Pennsylvania

Dr. Amy Parrish showed great care and kindness in helping Mocha transition. Dr. Amy also spent some time with Mocha when she first arrived so Mocha became acquainted and comfortable with her. It was not stressful for Mocha because she was in familiar surroundings and was resting on her favorite pillow on the couch, with Dr. Amy sitting next to her. Mocha's transition was painless and peaceful, and freed her from the suffering she was experiencing during her last few days. We were greatly relieved to see how the initial sedative shot put Mocha into a deep sleepy state, just like how she used to sleep so deeply and was the first rest and peace she had in days. There is no question that in-home end-of-life transitioning was the best thing for Mocha. Because Mocha did not like to travel and became more skittish in her later years, and she usually needed two days to get back to normal from a trip to the vet, we could not imagine the extreme stress from driving her to a clinical setting. It would have been unbearable for us to see Mocha in such stress in her final moments. This is not intended to disparage end-of-life transition support at vet clinics and their important critical care services, but simply that it was not the best approach for Mocha.

Steve & Lisa

Holbrook, New York

Dear Dr. Kristine: First off, thank you for your kind and loving words during this most difficult time. Our house feels so empty without our baby girl Oreo but we are learning to cope. It's been an extremely difficult and sad time for us. We want to thank you for helping us put our Oreo girl at ease and have her cross the Rainbow Bridge so peacefully. You are truly an Angel in every sense of the word and there are no words to thank you for helping our baby girl to not suffer anymore. We are suffering without her because the love we feel for her and will always feel for her will never end. We just pray that we see her again in the afterlife. We hope and pray she knows how loved she was and will always be! Thank you for doing what you do, to us, you are an Angel sent from above. Sincerely, Lisa and Steve Durante

Cherine

Fairfield, California

Unfortunately, I am not new to the experience of having to have a pet put down. I am however new to having it done in my home. Rex was an 115# Tibetan Mastiff that was only eight years young, which surprisingly is not old for that particular breed. I have been married for over 30 years now and we never had children so as you can imagine our pets are our "children". Making that final call to a vet is always a struggle, even when you think you're doing the right thing. Dr. Rene came to my house and made an unbearable process almost tolerable. She was incredibly sympathetic and compassionate while remaining professional and informative. While I miss him everyday, there is peace in knowing that I did the right thing and he isn't suffering. This experience has solidified that when I have to make that call again, and I know I will, I will call Lap of Love as I can't imagine it any other way.

Emma & Colby

Chattanooga, Tennessee

I am so thankful we used Lap of Love to help us say goodbye to our sweet Rocco. I truly cannot imagine getting through such a heartbreaking experience without the help of our vet, Dr. Rachel. She made us feel so comfortable and at ease and talked us through every step of the process. I cannot thank her enough for helping us get through such a hard day. Being able to say goodbye in the comfort of our home was so meaningful and really helped us get through the process. Thank you again for your care and support.

Helpful resources

Informational resources to help you navigate your pet’s quality of life

Explore all of our resources

When to put a dog down — Axel, Paterson, NJ
How Will I Know It's Time

Home pet euthanasia — Roger, Dumont, NJ
Blog

Cat euthanasia — Bodhi, Yorba Linda, CA
Common Geriatric Pet Symptoms

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